Extreme Dating (2006)

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Lindsay (Amanda Detmer) and Daniel (Devon Sawa) work for an advertising agency. When the company gets a new client, Marshall Jackson (Meatloaf) they find he is a bit of a sticky wicket, since he informs them that if their work is not up to snuff, he will end their careers. As Mr. Jackson is anxious to increase business at his ski resort, Lindsay, Daniel, and friends go to the place to get fresh ideas for their future ad pitch. While there, close friend Packer (Ian Virgo) slides down a mountain crevace with the attractive Jamie (Nectar Rose) and they end up getting trapped for hours. As a result of the "heightened excitement" of their situation, Packer and Jamie fall madly in love with each other. That gets Lindsay to thinking and not only about her work. She, too, has had trouble with men and her close pal and mentor, Daniel, has had his heart crushed as well. Maybe the two of them could hatch some "extreme" situations with the opposite sex where sparks will really fly. So, Lindsay promptly gets herself locked in the storeroom with a handsome co-worker, much to his chagrin. Things do not go as planned when Lindsay inadvertently causes a heavy shelf to fall on the unfortunate man. However, this does not prevent her from arranging for Daniel to be caught in a stopped elevator with a lady that works in the building. Alas, things do not turn out well in Dan's case either. But, nevermind, now co-worker Troy (the very handsome Andrew Keegan) wants to try his luck with the concept of extreme dating. He needs Lindsay and Daniel to help him fake a kidnapping of a pretty bank teller, Amy (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) so that he can pour out his heart to her. Uh, oh, is the pursuit of happiness about to go a little too far? This film rocked my world for an evening. It was funny, it was clever, and it had very attractive, talented cast. All the principal stars, Detmer, Sawa, Virgo, Keegan, Sigler and Meatloaf gave sly, vastly humorous performances. The rest of the cast was also just wonderful, especially the two shady "mural painters" who were hired to help with the Amy-napping. As for the costumes, sets, and photography, they were great for a film that was probably made on a shoestring. But, in truth, the big assets to this film are the ingenious script and the very secure direction. Most viewers will find themselves laughing repeatedly at the film's one-liners while shaking their heads with admiration for the flick's many twists and turns. Let's all do hope that this is not the last film for the near-brilliant screenwriter and director. Now, THAT would be extremely disheartening.

Before I dive into this movies sublimity I have one name to say: Andrew Keegan. This guy stole the show in this movie. I was not expecting much out of the veteran actor after his show stopping performance in the highly acclaimed "10 Things I Hate About You", but once again he proved me wrong. Casted alongside an overweight Devon Sawa, Keegan delivers line after line of pure comedic genius.The story revolves around two young men in search of love--with different problems. Sawa's character is haunted by his past: he was left at the alter by his long time girlfriend and thereby has lost the ability to hit on girls. In contrast, Keegan's fatal flaw resides in the fact that women are only interested in sleeping with him--to which at one point he solemnly refers to himself as a "man-ho" (oh yeah, HUGE PROBLEM ha ha).Moving on, while on a ski trip Sawa and Keegan witness their stereotype foreign colleague fall passionately in love in the midst of a ski accident. Desperate to find their own girlfriends, they set up a fake kidnapping that goes all wrong when the kidnappers they hire turn out to be EX-CONS!!! Anyway I've said enough about the plot, let me get into some of the characters. Keegan is obviously the star of the show and admirable acting skills are only brought down by Sawa's washed up, wish I could still be the star of the little giants, idle hand sucked-- ass. The chick from Saving Silverman really blows too, shes not funny and plays a tough girl that adds no comedic value to Keegan's omnipresent performance. However, there are actors that help fill this catastrophic void created by Sawa and Saving Silverman girl--and it comes in the form of Meat Loaf and the guy from Gymkata. Meat Loaf and Keegan's complimentary acting abilities are unprecedented. Meat Loaf fires off lines such as "Lindsay? I once knew a man named Lindsay" to keep this movie alive. Although I'm not sure which of the old guys in this movie was in gymkata it still makes the movie awesome. oh yeah and meadow soprano is fat and sucks in this movie--only brings Keegan down once again.

I just saw this film and i must say was quite surprised of all of the actors i knew i was very impressed. Qudos goes to the actor that plays Packer. He was from the UK and i have to say although i haven't seen him in anything before he was the funniest thing in the film. His name is Ian Virgo it says he is American but grew up in wales yet his accent is quite unrecognisable. I hope to see this actor in more films even though he did a film with Jean Claude Van Damme. It also says that Ian was in Black Hawk Down although i have seen that film a hundred times and cannot see him but i suppose they all look the same. EXTREME DATING recommended. Ian Packer Virgo has my thumbs up.

I can understand why Devon Sawa would choose a role like this. Only because he's been out of work for so long, he's probably desperate. Same for Andrew Keegan as well. Both, good looking funny, semi-talented actors, they have chosen this piece, "Extreme Dating", which makes "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle" look like a Shakespearean piece.After four friends go on a skiing trip, and one of them ends up in a dire situation with a strange girl, and falling in love with her afterwards, the rest of the group decides to try 'Extreme dating'. Meaning, they find different scenarios or situations where they can get trapped, kidnapped or isolated with the people they are in love with or have crushes on. The whole movie was pretty lame, and although there were a few funny moments, it's not all that enthralling. I will admit that I watched the movie all the way through, partly because I was bored and the other part was because I like Devon Sawa and wanted to give the film a chance. The girl in the movie, whose name escapes me, has been in a few other films, but she looks like she's gone on Mary-Kate Olsen's diet. She used to be very full-figured, and now she looks almost sick. But, aside from that aspect, she was very good, maybe at times a little over dramatic, but cute.It was worth checking out, but all in all not the best teen - young adult movie you'll see. Stick with better Sawa films like, "Casper" and "Idol Hands".