Meet Market (2004)

Before renting this film, I read the cast list and expected to watch a hilarious comedy. What I got was a collection of vignettes on the L.A. singles scene. This film truly suffers from lack of plot.Maybe my television screen isn't large enough to show wrinkles, but I actually thought this film was made years ago because many of the cast members such as Julian McMahon, Alan Tudyk, and Elizabeth Berkley looked younger and in better shape than they have in awhile.Julian McMahon is believable as a narcissistic,vacuous,soap star. Alan Tudyk was delightful as an average guy looking for a long term relationship. His date with Missi Pyle was the scene that I most enjoyed and even laughed at.Alisha Tyler's uneven acting made her character charming one moment, and a clueless stereotype, the next. While I could understand the frustrations of Elizabeth Berkely's character, I didn't feel connected to, sorry for her, or even filled with "you go girl!" when she takes matters into her own hands. There just wasn't much there - a better actress or better writing would have pulled me in. The lesbian relationship was sweet, it should have been to been farther developed.I think I can see what Loventhal was going for here but I felt the writing needed more biting satire, more darkness, to work. A focus on the stories of one or two characters, and more connections between the others would have made a more coherent film.If you rent this, you won't hate it, but it won't have you rolling on the floor either.

I was first drawn to the movie because of the concept. I love simple ideas but they have to work in the movie. Fortunately this one does. It's cool when it all come together. We're in a country where one out of four people getting married today met online. This movie should be a dating class at the Annex Learning Center for people who like to meet wacky people in person and not on your computer. Why not just cut out the middle man...Back to the flick. The actors gave good performances and the story was totally interesting to watch unfold. I watch tons of movies and this one was ten times better than some of the crap I get on Netflix that actually made it to the theaters. Not sure who picks what get's released and what doesn't. Who cares. Bottom line-- good flick. Damn good flick!!!

This was one of the funniest movies that I've seen in a long time. Great cast, with great directing and photography! Loventhal doesn't use gimmicks to get his point across, just the great acting by the entire cast. Each story within itself is funny and enjoyable. The cast all took great character risks and it comes across fantastic! L.A, is such a crazy town and this movie makes you laugh at things that others find "the norm" here in L.A. The relationship between Aisha Tyler and Krista Allen is so entertaining because we see it all the time which makes it sincere and funny at the same time. Julian McMahon is amazingly funny and I love that he can do this and not take himself so seriously. Alan Tudyk's struggles throughout the movie find you routing for him the whole way. Every actor (and then some) needs to see this movie. Very fun and very well made! Congrats to Loventhal for this gem!

Usually when a movie goes straight to DVD there's not a lot to look forward to. With Meet Market, I was pleasantly surprised. The overall look and feel is excellent, no shaky camera or impossible to understand sound. Director Charlie Loventhal has crafted a fine, funny, quirky comedy of the universal quest to hook up.Using the aisles of a southern California supermarket as the hunting ground, Meet Market introduces us to an attractive group of hopeless romantics, sexy predators, and just plain horny people.The guys are represented by Alan Tudyk, playing Danny, the ultimate "unlucky at love" loser. Constantly challenged by his personal trainer, played by the uncredited Laurie Holden, to step up and be a man, he is ultimately shocked when he gets his chance to "measure up" to her. He is the perfect combination of uncertainty and ridiculous panic.Also on the male front is Julian McMahon. Leaving the smooth sophistication of his "Nip/Tuck" character behind, McMahon's Hutch is as vapid as they come, a moronic, self-absorbed soap star. McMahon delivers Hutch's absurd pronouncements with deadpan earnestness that is hilarious. His "climactic" revelation of whom he really loves makes you smile and nod your head in agreement.Loventhal has assembled a real bevy of beauties. All are sexy and each has her moments, with Missi Pyle and Laurie Holden particularly funny, and Krista Allen, Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Sky steam up the lens. Aisha Tyler is a nice mix of sexiness and propriety. And Suan Egan and Suzanne Krull take us on a walk on the other side of the street.There is no real "story" here, and that's a disappointment. More structure would have been helpful. It's almost like the movie's not quite done. It's more a series of vignettes, of the various people all in the same boat.I would be remiss if I didn't mention David Robbins' jaunty musical score. It keeps things rolling along nicely.All in all, not bad for straight to DVD. I've seen a lot of "sexy comedies" in the past year in theaters that weren't as good.