LOVABLE (Alan Zweig, Canada). 106 minutes. Monday (April 23), 6:30 pm, Bloor April 28, 2:15 pm, Isabel Bader. Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
Wondering why he’s still single in his 50s, Alan Zweig analyzes his own and others’ lack of success finding partners while interviewing a few dozen single women of various ages and backgrounds.
Despite that synopsis, this isn’t some frothy Life Network exposé, but, rather, a probing, moving and occasionally profound examination of singlehood in the 21st century.
Zweig asks the women some tough questions, digging through their denial to get at some insightful, articulate answers. Displaying all the grumpy charm of a younger Andy Rooney, Zweig’s as merciless with himself as he is with his subjects, and there’s a suggestion that his mild OCD habits – like cataloguing his music – might be interfering with his quest.
Still, as the only single male in a group of single women (most of them straight), there’s a power and gender imbalance that suggests Zweig has ulterior motives. Does he want to show these great single women that he’s the only great single guy? If so: creepy!
