LOVE ON THE SIDELINES
US, 2016, 84 minutes, Colour.
Emily Kinney, John Reardon, Hayley Sales, Luisa d’Oliveira, Patric sabongui, Victor Zinck Jr.
Directed by Terry Ingram.
This is enjoyable romantic fluff, the lightest of romantic comedies, but entertaining for those who delight in this kind of film and its feelings.
As the title suggests, the focus is on football, but on an injured star player, Danny, played by John Reardon, who needs PA. He is irritated by the shenanigans of his current PA – but the agency can send him only a woman. This is unthinkable for him, his being a complete male chauvinist. The PA is Laurel, Emily Kinney, who has a degree in fashion design.
Clearly, in a genteel kind of way, this is a battle of the sexes, Laurel having not much idea about football, making quite a number of faux pas, but likeable, helpful, appreciated for efficiency by the footballer but, when he gets better, it is out with Laurel and the request for a male PA again.
There are a lot of other characters, the footballer’s parents have been married happily for 35 years, his overshadowed sister. Laurel has roommates, one of them with her fiancee, the other a PA to a pushy model who has eyes on the footballer.
Lots of expected comedy with Laurel and her mistakes, the footballer and his having to learn, and, ultimately, what else but love!
1. A light romantic comedy? Television style? American-style?
2. The football background, audience familiarity or not? Scenes of play, discussions, locker room, fans, watching television play?
3. Laurel and her story, family, training in fashion, her apartment, her roommate getting married, making the dresses, friendship with her and her fiance? The interview for the new roommate, her work as a PA? The discussion with Laurel about being a PA, putting her name on the books? Laurel and the interview – but not getting a job?
4. Danny Holland and his story, star footballer, his friendship with Ron, with the other players, the team doctor, his injuries and treatment? Rehabilitation? His self-absorption? Elliott, firing him as PA? His antics and public relations? The agency, sending Laurel?
5. Laurel, not knowing anything about football, diligent, the treatment by Danny, his wanting a male, knowing the sport, able to going to the locker room? His preoccupation with the being out of the game? Laurel, the continued demands, her making mistakes? Yet her charming the friends, Ron, making the football jerseys – and later getting orders for more? Danny relying on her but not appreciating her?
6. The photo opportunities, the model, his relationship with her? The roommate being the model’s PA, the model and her tantrums, coming onto Danny, her return, more photo shoots, Laurel’s reactions? The PA giving her notice? The model coming to the house, ordering Laurel around? The breakup?
7. Danny, his parents, 35 years married, the preparation for the party, his admiration for his parents? The meetings with Laurel, helping with the party? Ava, the friendship? Ava and Ron? Ron and his friendship with Laurel, Danny misinterpreting? The final revelation and his being upset?
8. The work over the months, Laurel and her learning, at Danny’s beck and call? At the bar with her roommate and fiance, the talk, the fiance and his love of football? Danny, his insensitivity, upset at Ava telling him off about his self-centredness, his phoning Laurel during the wedding? Her going, telling Danny what she thought of him?
9. Laurel, the possibilities, the sweaters, having to get the franchise from the football league, her achieving this? Her future?
10. The family party, Danny and his speech, reconciliation with Ava, discovering her relationship with Ron, his misunderstanding Ron and Laurel? The father’s speech, his mother holding out, the marriage? Danny and his hurrying to see Laurel – and a happy ending?
