Love at First Sight (2011) User Reviews

Every street should be like this

[peteredwarddexter · 8/10 · 12 November 2012]

I liked this movie rather much. The photography and sound are great and the central story is nicely played.

Generally if one uses the word 'charming' regarding a film it is not necessarily a good thing. In this case it is. I particularly enjoyed the use of the local characters in their own environment and the cut away's to these folk and how they informed the story, and again a 'risky' word, "whimsical" were the moments that really stuck out for me. There is a whimsy and slight poetic magical sensibility about it that is…….. well Charming. In this case a very good thing. A great little film.

wonderful short film - must see it

[miles-542-137859 · 10/10 · 30 November 2012]

Loved this short film, completely captivating the acting is great and feels very natural and convincing that it just draws you in. Loved that is is globally universal with no dialogue...but you do not need it as the story is beautiful told through a great score and stunning cinematography and direction. There are not many films that leave you with a nice warm feeling at the end and a huge smile of how wonderful life is. Must be seen!!! I have seen it four times and I still enjoy it as much as the first time. Each time you get to enjoys all the detail and subtleties that make it such a great short...can not wait to see a full film from this director.

A delightful story of love at first sight told in just a few compelling minutes

[tipkilby-72-118177 · 10/10 · 18 July 2012]

What a way to start my day!

I found a link to this video via a publicity release. Out of curiosity, I followed it and was rewarded with 15 minutes of delight. This short story invoked several rapid fire emotions... humor, curiosity, anxiety and joy.

As a male, I have suffered the earnest yearning that this young fellow feels toward a beautiful woman that he spies nearby. Without becoming a "stalker", he carefully orchestrates a series of attempts to attract his new love interest. That's all I can say without spoiling this viewing experience.

This video captures those feelings of the young man and will probably remind all of the viewers of some of their own past love obsessions.

A captivating,lyrical love story

[doncorleone74 · 10/10 · 31 October 2012]

I had the opportunity to watch "Love at first sight" in late January 2012 , during the Jaipur International Film Festival,in India.

On that occasion, the Indian and international audience at Jaipur, interrupted the screening of the film with 3 rounds of rapturous applause. I was then able to follow the festival destiny of "Love at first sight" via the Internet. It has since circulated through 3 continents, numerous festivals gaining several awards.

Plot wise - the film seems simple.

A shy and yet passionate new tenant develops an intense infatuation with the feminine beauty from the balcony on the opposite side of the street. The emotional tone of the film is very well balanced between densely lyrical and gently comic.

Anxiety, painfully naive hope of success with a woman from a different league, the adrenaline experienced by the protagonist during the balcony scenes -are viscerally transmitted to the audience. The protagonist's strong intoxication generates an immediate and compulsive need to attract the attention of the girl. A whole gamma of improvised sketches, ranging from twisted, juvenile macho postures verging on the ridiculous, to narcissistic suave gigolo looks exercised from the balcony, are displayed without any results. Or so it would appear....

The mise en scène is exuberant yet economical. Three different moods and emotional states, the escalating fixation, juvenile pathos and contained disenchantment are condensed in fluid, successive shots. The physical postures of the romantically tortured / devastated protagonist are highly suggestive of his emotional tribulations yet never theatrical or melodramatic while the atmospheric light succeeds in creating an emotionally heightened atmosphere, just like in a Rossini opera or tango.

A very reassured directing style applied to a lyrical, comedic love story that succeeds in capturing within 14 minutes, much more about the elusive nature of romance and passion than the whole history of the romantic comedy genre in Hollywood. An original, refreshing love story divorced from any of he perversely overused, infantile clichés and failed attempts at humor from normal romantic comedies, should be celebrated as a small, luminous star on the gray, bleak sky of contemporary cinema.

And let's not forget the essential : for the cinematic hubris to reach it's final and terminal stage , the feat is achieved without a single word of dialog!!!

Elegant, stylish and moving short film

[Pauldavies1-531-635662 · 9/10 · 17 November 2012]

Elegant, stylish and moving film. Really enjoyed the film Beautifully shot.

With fine performances from both lead actors.

Hopefully the film will be shown even more widely now. The plot develops at a subtle pace. A new tenant develops an infatuation with a beautiful neighbour. The story then develops with humour and absorbs the viewer.

I would enjoy watching the film again.

Please Make an attempt to do likewise.

Paul Davies.

The most beautifully made movie with moments captured amazingly well & great performances

[tinajolly01 · 10/10 · 7 November 2012]

This sweet movie is about a simple aspect of how a BOY falls in love with a GIRL at FIRST SIGHT (without knowing anything about the girl)...LOVE at 1st sight like it is named , It deals with his ways of impressing her & the short heartbreak he faces thereafter but an amazingly surprise ending.... the treatment given to such a simple subject (which we ourselves encounter "Love at 1st sight" in our lives as well ,i'm sure)... has been treated so well , which beautiful picturesque sets, great performances , excellent direction & Photography.... Feel like watching this movie AGAIN & AGAIN !!! Would recommend to all

Just saw "Love at First Sight"

[donfilme · 9/10 · 8 December 2012]

I just saw "Love at First Sight" screen at the very first Shot on RED Film Festival. It appropriately - even if by a series of unforeseen events - closed the festival on a tone of optimism, humor, charm, smiles, and beautiful visuals. D.P. Graeme Dunn did a wonderful job using light and color skillfully and emotionally, further pulling the audience in and making us comfortable. We even got a taste of an old Film look and feel at the beginning.

I was extremely pleased with this movie and quite surprised that it is basically a first effort by Writer/Director Mark Playne. The story is weaved with no "excess fat" and paced very nicely, taking us from beginning to end in just the right amount of time. The movie uses music so perfectly composed (by Cato Hoeben) that you don't realize until the movie is finished that not a single word was spoken in the entire piece!

Brava!! I look forward to the next project.

Try to catch it if you can at an upcoming Film Festival. They are still on the Festival Circuit.

Warming !!!

[iichardsonreal351 · 9/10 · 21 February 2015]

Best film that I can remember !

I would recommend this to any friends who are looking for a nice heartfelt film that isn't too long.

For me personally it was one of he best movies of the year...

I enjoyed it and think you would too.

Love at First Sight is a good film, it's easy to connect to it, a very nice comedy.

And the music is very great.

I'm going to repeat myself WATCH THIS MOVIE.Happy watching.

9/10 star

a touching and original love story

[angelaneustatter · 10/10 · 21 October 2012]

This film combines a charming, light-touch love story with a lovely dash of humour.

In the way that The Artist achieved so much without dialogue, so this is true of Love At First Sight. The music which plays such an integral part is by Cato Hoeben, a young musician creating some interesting and original scores.

Mark Playne,who wrote and directed has honed his film from a fairly unruly beginning to a pleasingly taut, pacey film that has that lovely thing a surprising ending. Love At First Sight is a first film by Playne yet it has been chosen for a run of prestigious festivals.

I love it !

[Kirpianuscus · 3 April 2020]

It is easy to define it as correct, charming, beautiful romance, a gentle twist and adorable end. But it is a film to feel it more than judge it. I love it for each detail, for music and for great acting, for emotion and for the feeling to see a Giuseppe Tornatore film, for the wise reflection of every day ordinary activities of a small town and for the something out of words. It is a precious oasis giving to you yourself.

Much respect

[jitabinhan24142 · 10/10 · 11 February 2015]

Comedy is intertwined through the entire story and you forget you are watching a comedy -- it is a warm, heartfelt story that draws you in and you find yourself laughing throughout at the subtle humor and comical situations the protagonist finds himself in.

You may even enjoy watching this movie the second, third or fourth time you see it.

If there is a sequel to this movie, I'm booking a ticket for it in advance. Amazing direction, amazing story and a great script.

I've watched this movie over 5 times and still didn't get bored with it.

Amazing short film

[jo-440-286898 · 10/10 · 5 November 2018]

Poignant love affair without words, a fantastic debut film