By Robin Dishman
LA JOLLA, California — My first reaction to Perfect Strangers, shown Thursday morning, Feb. 6, at the San Diego International Film Festival was thinking, “what a witty and funny film!”
The premise of this movie is based on the reactions that seven long term friends have when their cell phones reveal inconvenient truths. This is a truly a film with an Israeli sense of humor. The host is a cosmetic/plastic surgeon who cooks a lavish multi-course meal. The hostess, his wife, is a professor with keen insight. The group discusses how our cell phones are our, “black boxes.” They contain everything about who we are, what we are doing and where we go.
During the dinner party the hostess proposes a game which requires everyone to put their cell phone face up in the middle of the table and all texts and calls to be put on speaker phone. With hesitation they all agree to the rules of the game. The film really gets started when the cell phones start to go off with cryptic messages, incriminating calls and graphic photos. The seven guests are all couples except one and the ensuing arguments and discussions that occur among the members of the group make up the bulk of the movie.
Humor is interlaced with significant messages regarding the human condition and relationships. The end is a surprise which this reviewer will not divulge. This was a funny, enjoyable and smart movie which I would recommend.
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Robin Dishman is a freelance writer based in San Diego.