The many obstacles of dating in a realm defined by its explosion of colors become our first introduction to ‘Matinee Baby’. Unique and extremely entertaining in its storytelling and world-building, the narrative presents Robby and Noah-Lee, close friends and colleagues who work at Portland's historic Clinton Street Theater. As the narrative navigates modern-day dating, each potential suitor brings to life an experience more vivid and unexpected than the previous. 
The many complexities of all of these encounters are handled with effortless ease in this queer romantic comedy. The humor remains seamless, roping in campiness while eschewing its many dangers, supported by the performances and the screenplay, both of which exhibit control and skill. 
With the film’s heart in the right place, the story and characters stand firmly on their feet. At no point do the colors, the comedy or the overall end result of the world become overbearing enough to subdue the voices within, presenting to the viewer the true triumph of the film.

Matinee Baby | Spotlight

May is headed to a secluded cabin, ready to take some time by herself to practice lines for a potential job as an actor. However, her plans go awry when she realizes someone’s already at the cabin - Elliot, her recently-become-former-lover. 
Amidst the awkwardness, but also the obvious chemistry, the two try to navigate the situation the best way they can. While they may have met unexpectedly, will they rekindle the romance or will heartbreak define the future of this relationship? The question remains central to the narrative. 

There is a dedicated attempt to invoke a specific tonality and aesthetic in the portrayal of the events. The approach to all of this remains consistent throughout, even if showing a slight want of more smoothening out of wrinkles in terms of the overall production value of the final result. The film, nevertheless, should be appreciated for the blurring of boundaries and the emotional obscurity of an in-between space that is neither here, nor there. The narratorial engagement with this realm of uncertainty becomes the strongest aspect of the storytelling.

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