Catching the Fever
Benjamin Maniatis plays Orlando, a porn editor that’s missing the spark he once had with his girlfriend Adriana. With his relationship hanging in the balance, he seeks wisdom from his lack-luster friends who he believes to know what it takes to get his mojo back. His friends Oscar and Chris both try to stress to him that the only way to determine whether or not he wants this relationship to last is to step out into the New York party scene while he has the chance and find the spark he’s been looking for elsewhere. Orlando takes the chance of meeting these women he’s being set up with but he later finds it comes with a price. Whether it is sex, drugs or even under age teen girls, Orlando finds himself in very peculiar situations thanks to his socially awkward friends. Throughout these miscellaneous dates, Orlando does keep in touch with Adriana who also keeps him wondering if he wants to enjoy the single life, or stay miserable with her. With only days left until the return of Adriana, Orlando begins to wonder if maybe he is meant to stay with her given the series of events with the all the women he has been set up with but his friends still have a few more tricks up their sleeve. Being the weak minded man that Orlando is, he gives into his friend’s horny, superficial ways and gives it one last try before she gets back. With time slowly fading for Orlando, his last try also has a catch to it as did the other dates and he finds himself battling with his morals on infidelity. Will he push harder to keep his relationship with Adriana a float, or will he go all out to see what it is exactly that he is missing? With all the twist and turns this movie throws at you, it all seems like it’s been done before. The storyline says American Pie meets 40 Year old Virgin more or less. Although typical and low budget, this short-film does force out a few laughs which will keep the audience intrigued and curious to know what happens next in his series of events as it pertains to his friends and the women he comes across. With Adriana breathing down his neck at every turn, Orlando finds himself at a crossroad with his dates; holding back to salvage what could very well already be a diminished relationship. What’s a man to do when all he desires is a little intimacy from his significant other to only be turned down every time he’s in the mood? Orlando eventually musters up some courage and does what he must to keep his sanity but at what cost does it come to him, his friends and his girlfriend? This movie makes one wonder, does this happen in the everyday lives of men? If so, could it be just a little more realistic? Most men honestly don’t put as much thought into sex as Orlando did but that could be his downfall.
Julien
