Five interwoven love stories explore the ups and downs of finding love.
Love in Los Angeles can turn into a bit of a hit or miss affair. Toward that end, “What Love Looks Like” paints an optimistic picture of what that elusive commodity could indeed look like from the perspective of a dozen or so characters living and working in sunny SoCal.
First up we see Kate Durocher as Nicole, who empathetically depicts the neglected lover whose boyfriend Owen (Josh Gilmer) cannot stand separation, even momentarily, from his iPhone. Poor Nicole creates fantastical tales out of whole cloth for Owen’s consumption, only to have him nod vacantly back at her. Later, after a girlfriend ditches her at a club, Nicole meets Jace (Trevor Sean) there, learning later that he gigs as a rideshare driver. Though reluctant at first, Nicole warms to Jace’s persistent entreaties, while Owen remains characteristically oblivious.
We meet Jamie Shelnitz as Summer, who likewise searches for love, but seems destined to hook up with self-absorbed jerks. Her latest, Calvin (Connor Wilkins), leaves their one-night stand commenting tactlessly that she’s a psycho. As a result of the mutually off-putting experience, both resort to a blind date service mostly furnishing conversation as opposed to face-to-face encounters. In addition, Summer relies on her friend Vanessa (Margo Graff) for counsel, while Calvin counts on his buddy Mason (Tay McVeigh) as a sounding board for romantic advice. Initially unenthusiastic, Calvin ultimately finds the non-physical dating experience tempting to keep from getting catfished.
All of the characters and couples necessarily navigate their own particular issues throughout. Sam (Nathan Kohnen) eats lunch alone in the park, obsessed with the memory of his deceased wife (Gabriella Wisdom), effectively shutting him off from the rest of the world. Evie (Ashley Rose McKenna) laments Sam’s ritual, day after day until at last, she figures a way to open dialog with him.
Jack Menzies as Theodore, also meets Bailey (Ana Ming Bostwick-Singer) in the park while they walk dogs, though he can hardly manage to put a single coherent sentence together. Despite his tongue-tied demeanor, he eventually demonstrates more going for him than a first or even second impression might indicate.
Finally, Kyle Meck as Finn lusts after Penelope (Taylor Alexa Frank), a Brit temporarily attending university in the states, though she has a penchant for disappearing. Finally stumbling upon her on a pleasant Southern California afternoon, he too struggles with opening lines that don’t reek of cliché or pretentiousness.
An affable independent film with several character actors likely to show up in bigger budget vehicles down the line, “What Love Looks Like” offers some fresh and appealing faces for Gen Z audiences. Written, directed, shot, edited and produced by Alex Magaña, this film extends an enjoyable excursion into the ever-popular rom-com genre.
Now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and on Blu-ray & DVD
