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Scoot McNairy, Sara Simmonds, Brian Matthew McGuire, Kathleen Luong, Bret Roberts ... see more see more... , Nic Harcourt , Twink Caplan , Robert Murphy , Cindy Drummond

Alex Holdridge's comedy In Search of a Midnight Kiss follows the plight of Wilson (Scoot McNairy), a 29-year-old man who has just suffered through the most miserable year of his life. A new arrival to... read more read more... the City of Angels, Wilson ends up alone and penniless as New Year's Eve rapidly approaches, and vows to lock his doors, pull his blinds, and climb into bed -- until best friend Jacob (Brian Matthew McGuire) talks him into posting a Craig's List personal ad. In seemingly no time at all, the message leads Wilson to Vivian (Sara Simmonds), a freewheeling young woman utterly determined to be with the "right" man at the stroke of midnight. She soon leads Wilson on an eventful and colorful trip through the nighttime streets of L.A. that he will never forget -- and that leads to a heartfelt emotional connection between the two. Anne Walker-McBay (Before Sunrise and Dazed and Confused) executive produced; Holdridge authored the original script. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

3,816 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

61 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Alex Holdridge

Release Date: August 1, 2008

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DVD Release Date: December 30, 2008

Stats: 605 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (605)

  • lewiskendell
    May 4, 2011
    lewiskendell
    Despite the fact that In Search of a Midnight Kiss was shot with that cheap digital video that I HATE, HATE, HATE, (seriously, I let out an audible sigh every time I realize that the movie I'm about to see uses it) I found it to be pretty enjoyable. Refreshing, even.

    It's a tal... read moree of loneliness, Los Angeles, and New Year's Eve. Depressed and lonely Wilson puts an ad on Craigslist at the bidding of his best friend, in a last-ditch effort to not be alone on New Year's Eve. The ad is answered by an aspiring actress named Vivian, and the two of them meet and spend the rest of the day in a long, rambling, eventful date that takes them through various parts of Los Angeles.

    It's actually a lot cooler than I make it sound. Sort of a drama and a realistic comedy, with the ups, downs, joys, and uncertainties of a real relationship condensed into the events of one night. There's genuine chemistry between the two leads, and the whole thing feels surprisingly genuine, if you let yourself get into it. Crappy video aside, this is a movie that I'd recommend to anyone, be they romantic or jaded.
  • romy861
    November 29, 2010
    romy861
    This was really a great little movie. I wasn't expecting much of it at all, small film with no one I've ever heard of in it, but it really exceeded my expectations. I actually would have scored it a little higher if the ending had been different, but then again, can't fault som... read moreething for being true to life.
    This reminded me a lot of Before Sunrise as most of it is just two people walking around getting to know each other and revealing things about their lives. The two leads are so good that it never comes across as dull and the Vivian character is originally so horrible that it is a credit to them that everyone doesn't just switch off.
    One interesting thing is that it seems that it was originally black and white, but for whatever reason, the Dvd release (in Australia, anyhow), is in colour. I did notice at times that the film looked very blocky, but put it down to a bad transfer. I have to say, I generally really like black and white films, but in this case, it was odd to see the trailer in black and white and I think I actually prefer the colour here.
  • gor41
    November 6, 2008
    gor41
    Raw and honest portrayal of LA life with believable characters who reveal unexpected depths and emotion.
  • fb632414987
    May 18, 2010
    fb632414987
    This film is worth a watch and I like the way in which it attempts to look at situations like the stigma of internet dating and what things like New Years Eve means to different people (especially being alone during this time). At times its very funny (especially the opening scen... read moree) and I really liked the way it showed LA in a very anti glitzy light. The main down side for me is that I just didnt find it believeable and the date itself especially so. Normally I wouldnt hold this against a film as at times you have to suspend belief but I think this contridicted what the film was trying to achieve? Performances were good though and Scoot McNairy was especially convincing in the sensitive Geeky\Nerd role.
  • lesleyanorton
    July 9, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Four stars for the story line and the black and white pictures, minus three stars for the female lead character, who was, quite frankly, a cow.
  • wbgoose13
    January 1, 2009
    wbgoose13
    Charming low-key rom-com was better off in black and white, trust me on this.
  • Nutterjr
    August 2, 2008
    Nutterjr
    I watched this one in an open air monophonic (it actually had one speaker only) summer cinema theatre and it all felt very fitting indeed. The story was not original although the acting was very sharp and the dialogues made the story quite realistic.
  • divinetrash
    July 12, 2010
    divinetrash
    Who knew Craiglist could be so romantic? Scoot McNairy and Sara Simmonds give both excellent performances, even if it took me a little time to get used to her character, and deliver a very sweet film love and hope in the cynical 21st. century.
  • KLFilmmaker
    January 7, 2009
    KLFilmmaker
    A very well shot and brutally honest look at a lovesick guy in L.A who posts an ad on craigslist in search of a date on new years. Some snappy dialogue and different B&W cinematography of L.A locations really help sell this 'clerks' type indie film.
  • chrismid259
    November 29, 2008
    chrismid259
    No cliché romance. No A-list cast. Not big-budget. Great film.

View All In Search of a Midnight Kiss Reviews

Critic Reviews

Steven Rea
October 18, 2008
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

What follows - walking, talking, flirting, fighting - is a charming piece of low-budget, improv-y filmmaking in the tradition of Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise. Full Review

Walter V. Addiego
October 18, 2008
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle

An offbeat looking-for-love comedy with enough fresh notes to please even jaded viewers. Full Review

Tom Long
September 19, 2008
Tom Long, Detroit News

In Search of a Midnight Kiss is a surprising charmer, a wandering modern romantic comedy with enough bittersweet aftertaste to give it substance and enough wit to keep you entertained. Full Review

Colin Covert
September 11, 2008
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

How incongruous that while veteran studio heads prepare slates of comic book movies, the slackers behind this $12,000 gem have made one of the most mature films of the year. Full Review

J. R. Jones
August 29, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Smart dialogue, an impeccably crafted story, and eye-catching LA locations make this low-budget feature by Alex Holdridge the most worthwhile date movie I've seen in some time. Full Review

Mike Mayo
August 28, 2008
Mike Mayo, Washington Post

Despite some scenes that have the feel of an acting or writing workshop, these are believable, complex characters. Their story has a full measure of Judd Apatow raunch, with a dash of Swingers emotion... Full Review

Mark Olsen
August 22, 2008
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times

If it were a parody of relationship-youth pictures, In Search of a Midnight Kiss would maybe be tolerable, but writer-director Alex Holdridge seems to be playing it with a straight face. Full Review

Roger Ebert
August 22, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

In Search of a Midnight Kiss isn't a homage or a recycling job. It's a film with its own organic existence, its own reason for being. It is ultimately a very true and moving story. Full Review

Michael Phillips
August 21, 2008
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

The leaps of faith Midnight Kiss demands are many. Among them: If Vivian acts the way she does on their arranged date, why does Wilson worry about impressing her, even for a second, even on New Year's... Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
August 11, 2008
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Turns into an Internet Age version of Before Sunrise. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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