MEET ME IN MONTENEGRO

Writer/director Alex Holdridge knows that one of the reasons he is an independent filmmaker is that he has no need for a therapist. When life throws a wobbly or two, he can simply work through it by making a movie about it all, and that is exactly what he has done here as he recalls the time he loved and lost a beautiful Norwegian dancer. He wondered what he did wrong to make her leave without even a proper goodbye, and then one day years later, he got his answer.

Holdridge plays an American filmmaker called Anderson (who is really playing Holdridge) in Berlin at a loose end and in between movies when he meets Lina a vivacious dancer with whom he ends up having a rather passionate affair. When they de-camp for a vacation to Montenegro Anderson is in such heaven that he declares that this is the first time he really has felt alive. However it ends as quickly as it starts when Lina just ups and goes off without any warning just  leaving a note that simply says 'lets end on a high note'.

Fast forward three years and Anderson is back in Berlin, this time trying to talk a major movie star into committing to being in his new film in order for the Studios to finally Green-light it.  This  should be his next big break but instead he accidentally runs into Lina again and they start where they left off. This time however they both have big work commitments ahead on different continents so they know that their time together will be limited. That is if they keep to their plans, but by this point, we already know that's the very last thing they will do.

There is a secondary subplot involving Anderson's best friend, a failed cafe owner, and his girlfriend who think they want to put a spark back into their relationship by visiting a sex club with the idea of having a threesome. Holdridge cast the very talented British actor Rupert Friend ('Homeland') for the part which not only makes it work so well, but will give this wee indie movie more visibility.

Meet Me in Montenegro is 'inspired' by Holdridge's real life on-off-on relationship with Linnea Saasen, and the fact they are both co-writers, co-directors and co-stars of the piece seems to imply that it is much more than a simple case of art imitating life, and in fact its repeating it, albeit with a minor change of two.  It took them almost four years to make flitting from country and country recreating this endearing love story of theirs.

Holdridge has a fine sense of humor and there are some great comic touches (asides from the visit to the Sex Club) such as the night he is running through the streets of Berlin unable to find any store still opened that sold condoms.  It is however the sheer charm of this very affectionate and quite adorable couple that makes this quirky romantic-comedy such a delightful treat and make you content enough to ignore its shortcomings. 

It will also so make you want to start Googling flights to Montenegro too.......

★★★★★★★★