TeenHollywood.com, June 15th, 2007
Fast food burger server Lily (Loren Horsley) wants to hook up with loser video-gamer Jarrod (Jermaine Clement). When he ignores her, Lily crashes his weird "animal party" dressed as a shark. He's dressed as an eagle and she blows him away with her gaming skills. The duo makes out but the budding romance goes sour when Jarrod reveals his life's obsession; getting even in a big fight with the high school bully who tortured him. He'll shelve any romance in favor of revenge.
None-the-less, as time for the big showdown approaches, Lily accompanies Jarrod to his hometown and meets his bizarre family... who love her. While focusing on his upcoming fight, Jarrod dumps Lily and starts courting his dead bro's ex-fiancee. He breaks Lily's heart. Will she stick by him anyway?
This movie really charmed me. These lovable weirdos grow on you. They are just so human and relatable despite their strange quirks. Jarrod is lame as a fighter and his training for his big throw-down is pretty funny. Lily has a heart of gold and you feel for her as she is taunted and ignored by her peers. The characters are developed wonderfully. We see what drives Jerrod (the family's golden child, his older bro, committed suicide) and only Lily's older bro (their parents are dead) understands and loves her until she meets Jerrod and his wacky family.
New Zealanders Horsley and Clement are perfect in their roles and the film contains a few very cute stop-motion animation sequences to illustrate points in the story. Smalltown New Zealand is just gorgeous as a backdrop. If you liked Napoleon Dynamite, you've got to see this New Zealand version. The "loser" couple will work their quirky way into your heart. A great romantic comedy with emphasis on comedy.
This small film might be hard to find but make the effort. You won't be sorry.
For a fresh take on loser romance.. 4 out of 5 stars
