Just One Time: A Formula For Fantasy.
By Fred Leland

August 2, 2001

When it comes to films I have three categories: the excellent, the weekend afternoon time killer, and a waste of celluloid. Furthermore, if I can see where a film tried to go with its plot I try my best to give it the benefit of the doubt. That's where I find myself with Just One Time, a goofy romantic comedy set in a peaceful New York neighborhood where the residents find out how the other half lives, ain't bad.

There's Anthony (Lane Janger,) an Italian Stallion Fireman who is hugely devoted to his attorney fiancée, Amy. Ah but there is a catch dear viewer, for you see little Anthony has a fantasy that he wants Amy to fulfill before the wedding "so they're not breaking the wedding vows." Of course Amy (Joelle Carter) isn't interested in being with another woman, and Anthony won't get a clue that he really needs to let the idea out of his mind. In an attempt to drive home her point, Amy switches the tables on Anthony and says that she'll fulfill his fantasy, but fails to mention to him before he shoots off his mouth to his buddies at the firehouse, that he has to be intimate with a guy first. Enter Victor (Guillermo Diaz) the local closeted hot blooded Latin club kid with a heart of gold, who is totally in love with Anthony, and is Amy's choice to hook up with her man. Victor crosses from the door to the bed, stripping and thanking Anthony for fulfilling his dream, while Amy watches her horrified boyfriend with contentment. However, in a moment of cringing clarity, Anthony talks his way out of the moment and some how into a group date with the guys from the firehouse, plus Victor. But oddly enough that's not the big shocker, because for some reason only God knows, Anthony tells his buddies the next day when they come by for the play by play. Let me just say that the supporting cast is more developed and interesting than the two leads, even though one of the leads wrote the original story and co-wrote the screenplay (Lane Janger.)

So to continue, Dominic (David Lee Russek,) Anthony's best friend, being the true stand up guy that he is, convinces the rest of the guys to take Anthony & Victor to a Gay bar. That way Amy sees how serious Anthony is and will drop the whole thing, but of course she doesn't. It's a clever idea for a major plot point, but the lack of resistance from Anthony's friends, despite persuasive Dominic, makes it a plot point that doesn't seem thought out. Especially when the rest of the guys become "so secure in their manhood," that they plan on going back to the Gay bar on wig night. Anthony & Victor eventually wake up in the same bed together, but I wonder how many of you will be thinking of John Candy and Steve Martin when you see the scene. It's a cliché that you see coming but it's the payoff you've been led to expect; I'll say that the scene is sweet, almost precious.

Let's not forget about sweet innocent Amy. Thinking that she might actually have to go through with Anthony's fantasy, Amy starts calling swinger ads, Gay Resource Centers, and visits a Gay bookstore. The best part of the film is in the bookstore, when Amy has a stereotype inspired nervous hallucination about Lesbians in an Oprah-like book club meeting. Later she seeks out advice from Michelle, the sexy lipstick Lesbian across the street with a fetish for woodworking (Jennifer Esposito from Spin City.) Misunderstanding is followed by even larger misunderstanding until the sappy "how could I be so stupid, I almost lost you" ending, that wraps up everything neater than Neiman Marcus.

Just One Time reveals a panicky screenplay (i.e. dialogue that seems recited at times or obviously convenient plot twists,) but it's not a bad film. It's what we love about Indie films -refreshing story idea, nicely shot, interesting music, small budget, an odd slice of life populated by strange people. It's a satisfying weekend afternoon time killer, but I do have to work according to the big man's ratings scale and it certainly doesn't warrant a strong Play.

Therefore, I reluctantly press on Just One Time, a formula that should have spent more time in the mixer in order to work out the lumps.

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