“God of Love,” Luke Matheny‘s lighthearted, comedic tale combining romance with bromance, grapples for ground as an artsy short film using silky jazz and a black-and-white monotone, but slips nonetheless into a muddle of familiar storyline that leaves even its characters oddly uncomfortable.
A modern-day twist on the endeavors of a jazz singing, dart-throwing oversized Cupid who really just wants a little bit of lovin’ for himself from the love of his life, the drum-thumping Kelly— played by Marian Brock—Mr. Matheny’s second short film, which began as his thesis at NYU’s prestigious graduate film program, quickly climbed its way to the big leagues. Recently nominated in the Best Live-Action Short category for the 2011 Academy Awards, along with four others from the UK, Belgium, and Ireland, “God of Love” shows us that sometimes love just doesn’t go the way we want it to.
A scene from "Earano," a short film directed by Luke Matheny
Mr. Matheny, a Brooklyn-based filmmaker, writer, and actor, won numerous awards and recognition for his previous short film, “Earano,” a comic retelling that loosely follows the Cyrano de Bergerac tale. “Earano” is the story of Earl, a big-eared bighearted man with a one-sided love, who forsakes his happiness and love in order to woo the love of his life on behalf of his conventionally handsome, but inarticulate Ukrainian friend. It is clear that Mr. Matheny is not a rookie director, so why didn’t he try harder to cover new grounds? Beats me.
Like many romantic comedies of today, take “He’s Just Not That Into You” for example, “God of Love” echoes a familiar narrative that is all too predictable for us to follow attentively with any degree of surprise or newly made revelations. We all know that love can’t be firmly controlled, even by love-inducing darts from God, so it’s difficult to understand why this film was even chosen as a nominee.
Roberto Lobianco agreed. He said, “I liked the fact that they used black-and-white visually, but it was more lighthearted and that might have worked if it had been on its own, but compared to the other movies, it seemed less sophisticated and more clichéd.”
I completely agree, I didn’t love this at all.
I was left wit the same question: Why is this movie even nominated for best short film?
I actually liked “God of Love” but I would have never thought it would be chosen as a nominee, especially compared to the other short films. I also agree about how he should have took a new approach with this film since it was similar to “Earano” but I noticed many short film directors tend to stick with the same theme for some reason.
I can’t believe this won. The Oscars disappointed me greatly.
Like…seriously? NYU film majors must admit, anyone of them could do better.
I’m with Sabrina, I can’t believe this film won. I mean, compared to the other films, it lacked depth and meaning. I am really baffled by this.
Totally agree with you guys. I mean, really???? WHAT THE HECK? I’m not disappointed, I’m angry.
So ridiculous that this won. It’s sad to think about how many more hardworking filmmakers didn’t make the cut when this sad little scrap of outplayed hipster-ism did.
I thought I was the only one that didn’t think this film should have won! I was so dissappointed. I know it was a comedy but it wasn’t even that funny. It really doesn’t compare to the other films.
I loved your opening line; my thoughts exactly! The film reminded me of every romantic comedy I have seen. It was too typical, cheesy, and seemed forced, even with the black and white, the jazz and the director’s added personal touch (all of which could have worked better in another film). I still cannot believe it won!