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Release Date: May 4th, 2007 (Quad Cinema) by Regent Releasing/Here! Films. The Cast: Amber Benson, Cole Williams, Jeremy Lelliott, Justin Zachary, Danielle Thomas, Justin Hartley. Directed by Russell Brown. BASIC PREMISE: Nathan (Williams) invites his secret lover, Maggie (Benson), on a road trip to Napa Valley even though both of them have boyfriends. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: Race You to the Bottom doesn’t live up to its potential to be dramatic or romantic enough. The plot begins in the second act as Nathan, a travel writer, calls up Maggie to join him on a road trip to Napa Valley so that he could write about his experience at the wineries for work. It turns out that they have been having an affair for a few months. Nathan leaves behind his unsuspecting boyfriend while Maggie leaves hers. Throughout the road trip, they consider turning their secret affair into something more serious rather than purely sexual. However, neither of them seems to be able to commit. Nathan awkwardly flirts with the husband (Zachary) of Maggie’s friend when they stop by for a barbeque and, when having sex with Maggie, he still can’t get his boyfriend out of his mind. Writer/director Russell Brown includes some banter between Nathan and Maggie which shows that they have some chemistry, but this banter is ephemeral. Too many other scenes feel contrived and tedious without much in terms of imagination or character development. It would have been helpful if Russell Brown included a first act that would flesh out the relationship between Nathan and Maggie. He just zeroes in on them during their road trip with a few clichéd flashback scenes. On a positive note, there’s plenty of beautiful, vibrant scenery along the road. Amber Benson and Cole Williams both give decent performances, but the weak script doesn’t allow for their characters to be particularly interesting or memorable. SPIRITUAL VALUE: Unfortunately, none. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: Often contrived and tedious. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 5 IN A NUTSHELL: Decent performances and beautiful scenery barely compensates for an often tedious and contrived plot lacking in drama and romance. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: DVD Main Page Alphabetical Menu Chronological Menu The "R" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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