Lust for Love has a lack of order

March 15, 2024

The 2014 movie "Lust for Love" is the the story of a shy and socially awkward guy who somehow woos his lifelong - and quite pretty - crush, only to be dumped by her essentially because of his lack of experience and popularity.

He convinces his ex-girlfriend's former friend to transform him into a popular, confident man, hoping to win her back.

The essence of the film lies in this transformation journey. However, the narrative is marred by its erratic pacing and mood swings. It struggles to find a harmonious blend of romance and comedy, instead swinging among romance, comedy, and farce.

Intense moments derail into absurdity. A subplot with potential fizzles out. Scenes that could offer emotional depth feel rushed. Unlike "The Only One," where flashbacks provide insights not revealed by the characters when they speak about those moments, those in "Lust for Love" create confusion.

In short, the movie just tries too hard. The core plot is good enough to stand on its own even though there is nothing original about it. A movie like this needs to rely on the actors to connect viewers to the story.

Should you watch "Lust for Love?" I think you can find enjoyment in it, and the actors turn in pretty good performances.

"Lust for Love" was primarily funded through a 2011 Kickstarter campaign that brought in $101,300. While additional funding reportedly was required to complete the movie it is an impressive that crew and cast managed to make a full-length and entirely watchable movie for so little money. Does a hundred grand buy even one letter for the title of a Marvel movie?

Of note at the writing of this post is how the driving force of the plot, the main character's wish to become a chick-magnet player in order to win back his crush, is central to contemporary so-called Red Pill philosophy. However, while red piller's today instruct men to broadly improve themselves and their circumstances, the movie focuses exclusively on mastering the art of picking up women through "game" (or "rizz" as current slang calls it).