Everything for a Reason

Running time: N/A

This story of love, romance and everything in between follows twenty-something, Greek-American Manny and his circle of friends, including brother Anthony, insecure Teddy and ladies-man Mike as they each pursue the fairer sex in their own ways. Teddy is still after Jenny, the girlfriend he just dumped, despite her best friend's efforts to keep them apart, and convinces Mike to help him in a scheme to get her back. Meanwhile, juggling artist Mike is dating both his long-term girlfriend, Wendy, as well as his new fling Joanne, who happens to be the sister of Eve, who starts dating Manny despite a rather catastrophic night of drinking. Sarcastic, sensitive and sexy, this romantic comedy's dialog sparkles (at times reminiscent of genre classic When Harry Met Sally), from a clever ploy by Teddy to win Jenny back, to an exchange between Mike and Manny on cheating. Eve and Manny's first hook-up is a hilarious comedy of errors (inexperienced lovers take note!) illustrating how not to go on a first date. Filled with surprisingly insightful aphorisms about love and life and a charming cast of characters, Everything for a Reason is the kind of film that leaves viewers with a warm feeling on a cold winter morning, a delicious antidote to the Sturm und Drang that pervade independent cinema. Reviewed by Sam Freund