Second feature from director Tony Markes is the result of the notorious “Who Wants to Be a Movie Star?” project, in which pic was financed by auctioning off exec producer credits and most acting parts online, with others given to winners of a promotional tie-in. SAG was none too happy about this, but — surprisingly, given its dubious pedigree –film is better than many similarly low-budget indies. Even exploiting its odd backstory, it’s unlikely to draw many patrons into theaters, but those who stumble in won’t feel ripped off.
Plot concerns Dixie (Delicia Lanza), a young woman whose plans to open a skating rink are thwarted when newfound love Hal (Brad Rowe) turns out to be a con man. Broke and vengeful, she makes a deal with retired detective Phil (Brian Doyle-Murray), now teaching at the Nick Harris Detective School: He’ll take her case on spec as a classroom exercise. The middle act, designed to let each student (played by the actor/investors) get screen time, is over-extended, but casting them as amateurs within the story is a clever disguise. Seasoned pro Doyle-Murray is a huge asset. Tech credits are adequate.
