Notwithstanding its quintessentially indie need to develop character through quirk rather than, y'know, characterisation...the opening fifteen or twenty minutes are actually pretty great.
In Search of a Midnight Kiss (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:57
Fresh:48
Rotten:9
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: Funny, quirky, and bittersweet, In Search of a Midnight Kiss is a romantic comedy with a heart and a brain -- and stands as a sharp debut for director Alex Holdridge.
Theatrical Release:Aug 1, 2008 Limited
Synopsis: If Woody Allen had been in his 20s in Los Angeles in the new millennium, he might have made IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS. This ode to technology-fueled romance and indie filmmaking features some of... If Woody Allen had been in his 20s in Los Angeles in the new millennium, he might have made IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS. This ode to technology-fueled romance and indie filmmaking features some of the hallmarks of Allen's early career: a neurotic and lonely "hero," an unhinged but nevertheless attractive love interest, witty dialogue, and black-and-white cinematography. As New Year's Eve approaches, Wilson (Scoot McNairy) is close to age 30 and far from where he wants to be in life. And if it weren't for the efforts of his roommate Jacob (Brian McGuire), he might be content to spend the holiday alone on his couch. But with some prompting, Wilson posts a personal ad on the online site Craig's List, which leads him to a date with Vivian (Sara Simmonds). The seemingly mismatched pair wanders the streets of Los Angeles as midnight--and the possibility of a kiss--approaches. Fans of earnest indie romances such as BEFORE SUNRISE and ONCE will find it hard not to fall in love with IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS. There's an honesty here that is immediately appealing, and it's easy to identify with the film's mix of romantic cynicism and hope. Director Alex Holdridge (SEXLESS) has created a film that lacks the sheen and shimmer of Hollywood romantic comedies, and the audience is the lucky beneficiary of this heartfelt gift. [More]
Starring: Scoot McNairy, Sara Simmonds, Brian McGuire, Katy Luong
Starring: Scoot McNairy, Sara Simmonds, Brian McGuire, Katy Luong, Bret Roberts, Twink Caplan, Robert Murphy, Nic Harcourt
Director: Alex Holdridge
Director: Alex Holdridge
Screenwriter: Alex Holdridge
Producer: Seth Caplan, Scoot McNairy
Studio: IFC First Take
Get This Movie
Reviews for In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Holdridge is clever enough to keep his characters from slipping into outright narcissism, or when they do, he’s familiar enough with the art of mainstream moviemaking to balance the exhausted with the ecstatic.
In Search Of A Midnight Kiss shows enough flashes of brightness that its more conventional business is all the more dispiriting.
A wholly original and funny movie with superior writing and wonderful performances. Honest,bittersweet and heartfelt. If you're in search of a memorable film experience, here is your choice.
This is the rare movie about the start of something interesting that happens to look a lot like the end of the world.
Though disaffect is certainly a recurrent mood, Search is a strangely heartfelt little film�a lot like Swingers but with a more cynical edge.
Smart dialogue, an impeccably crafted story, and eye-catching LA locations make this low-budget feature by Alex Holdridge the most worthwhile date movie I've seen in some time.
In Search of a Midnight Kiss isn't a homage or a recycling job. It's a film with its own organic existence, its own reason for being. It is ultimately a very true and moving story.
The leaps of faith Midnight Kiss demands are many. Among them: If Vivian acts the way she does on their arranged date, why does Wilson worry about impressing her, even for a second, even on New Year's Eve?
A reasonably humorous and even tender portrait of 21st century dating by a filmmaker who seems a Woody Allen/Judd Apatow wannabe.
It's a great feeling, isn't it, falling in love with a movie about falling in love?
In Search of a Midnight Kiss is a surprising charmer, a wandering modern romantic comedy with enough bittersweet aftertaste to give it substance and enough wit to keep you entertained.
Lovingly photographed in a monochrome that recalls Woody Allen’s Manhattan, this is a slickly scripted rom-com.
Shot in black and white and edited extremely well, Kiss is funny and consistently credible.
It’s a highly emotional journey and it’s really stayed with me nearly 24 hours after I’ve seen it.
The confluence of events allows the film to arrive somewhere that may not be original, but feels honest...at other times, the film seems to be chasing the same old indie dragon of quirky escapades that can be shot on the cheap.
Alex Holdridge has written and directed a sweet, funny little indie movie.
Latest News for In Search of a Midnight Kiss
August 11, 2008:
Lonely hearts rendezvous on New Year's Eve in offbeat romantic comedy. ![]()
More...
August 01, 2008:
Alex Holdridge Is In Search of a Midnight Kiss ![]()
Just in time for the limited release of In Search of a Midnight Kiss, indieWIRE has posted its profile of director Alex Holdridge -- including a look at the strong similarities... More...
June 29, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
More...
June 12, 2008:
Crafting a Midnight Kiss - Behind-the-Scenes of a Lo-Fi Indie
It brought audiences to tears at Tribeca, kept them coming back at Edinburgh and warmed stone-cold critics' hearts at Raindance. In Search of a Midnight Kiss was described as... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 24% 24% | G-Force |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 90% 90% | District 9 |
| 86% 86% | 500 Days of Summer |
| 63% 63% | Extract |
| 06% 06% | All About Steve |
| 78% 78% | It Might Get Loud |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- In Search of a Midnight Kiss at Rotten Tomatoes
- In Search of a Midnight Kiss at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



