Written by: Josh "The Merc" Raynor
Love is such a fickle thing in life. Sometimes it fills you with compassion and desire and empathy, while other times it rips you apart, leaving you a pathetic husk of a person. And when that happens, it can take you down a path you never wanted to go and never expected you’d go. This movie showcases that side of love, while still giving the audience a glimmer of hope.
Bad Cupid tells the story of Dave, who is still pining over the girl that dumped him a year ago. He runs into Archie, who is determined to help Dave out, even if he doesn’t want it. But there’s more to Archie than meets the eye, and things start to get out of control. So, as they say… What would you do in the name of love?
As I watched this movie, I felt like I was being transported back to the mid-90’s, with the cheesy plot, hand drawn animation in between acts, and the fantastic, 90’s-inspired soundtrack. It was one of the most endearing parts of the film. I’m a sucker for movies made back then, as that was when I fell in love with film. So many of my childhood memories are entrenched in 90’s cinema, and this felt right at home with many of them. Also, it being set and filmed in Buffalo, NY added to my vested interest as that is the area I’m from, and it’s rare to see films set there, let alone made there.
This was the feature film debut for all of the filmmakers working on this, including the two directors, Diane Cossa and Neal Howard, and the three writers, Neal Howard again, Ira Fritz, and Anthony Piatek. It’s obvious that these four either have a love for 90’s films or have just been so shaped by it that it permeated their minds while working on this film, all in the best possible ways.
One of the things I found most intriguing was the addition of veteran actor John Rhys-Davies. I have been a fan of his since way back on the sci-fi series Sliders. It was one of my favorite shows, and he was great on it as Professor Arturo. It wasn’t until later that I began searching out his other projects or realizing he was in things I had loved previously, such as the Indiana Jones movies, and the animated series Gargoyles. And then, of course, there was Lord of the Rings. So, needless to say, when I saw his name attached to this project, I was instantly intrigued. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see John Rhys-Davies as a bitter, older version of Cupid. It was brilliant casting. His no-care attitude and willingness to do whatever he wants to get the job done was portrayed in such a remarkable manner.
And while his co-star, Shane Nepveu, did a fine job as Dave, it was Briana Marin, as Dave’s cousin Morris, who truly shined. She played the perfect amount of snark and carefree, while also always being there for Dave. She was hilarious in this and truly felt like a Buffalonian to me. I really hope to see her in more roles after this.
But my favorite aspect of this entire film was the incredible soundtrack by Avery Springer. She was able to match the vibe of this movie and help foster the 90’s feel that I loved so much about it. With incredible tracks like “Low Chance”, “Hooked”, and “Prick’d”, you are surrounded with a fun, mellow feeling that sticks with you for the entire film. Avery captures the essence of this film in her lyrics and performances in such a succinctly beautiful way.
I do want to say, that even as I sit here writing praises for this freshman effort, it isn’t without its flaws. There were times where I was taken out by some of the corny dialogue, or the absurd decisions made by certain characters. However, in the end, I had a fun time watching Bad Cupid and the throwback feel really appealed to me on a personal level. It may not work for everyone, but it certainly did for me.
The Merc’s Score: 7/10
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