The younger generation has a lot to say about the modern atmosphere of dating and the digital age. “Undatement Center” is the newest short from writer and director Chris Esper, who concocts an interesting concept about a company that treats dating like job training and interviews. After a long dry spell, Jack decides to visit the Undatement Center and try his hand was looking for a new girlfriend.
But with a lot of other people competing for women, and the interview a grueling process, Jack has his work cut out for him. Director Chris Esper forms an interesting concept that works fine as a short film. The movie never quite lands the comedy, but the satire is ripe and prone to connect with those of us that find new romances something like a business meeting. “Undatement Center” encapsulates a commonly shared complaint about dating, turning it on its head when Jack decides to pay more money for his own interviews.
This goes well when he meets beautiful woman who might change his commitment to the program. Esper’s direction is tight and the script is clever, it’s just that “Undatement Center” is unfortunately bogged down by the performances, all of which feel uneven most of the time. Even the final scene is somewhat of a misfire due to the sub-par delivery from the cast. I think with some better performances that punctuated the weird circumstances, “Undatement Center” could have been gret. As of now it’s just okay.
Look for “Undatement Center” near a film festival near you.