Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Love in Dangerous Times’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

At this point, it is outright safe to say, that 2020 is/was… an absolute dumpster fire. Because everything that could go wrong this year, went wrong this year and many of us had no choice but to sit back and watch in wild wonder as the virus raged around the globe and forced most of us into quarantine. And while the world opened up for a little while once again, the fact that the virus was still creeping around the corner, prompted most of us to abandon any hope of accomplishing our goals in 2020. Which has left us listless as we wait for the crisis to pass. But just when it seemed that all was lost in this stunning year, there were some bright spots to be found.
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After all, calls and cries for racial equality led to unprecedented unity in the streets of our nation and a wildly unpopular president was soundly rejected by voters who wanted America to take a different course than the divided path it was currently on. And recently, news of viable and promising vaccines has everyone starting to think about 2021 and resuming our lives and our hopes and our dreams, and what we learned during a once in a lifetime crisis. Which means that stories about the pandemic, will likely flood the silver screen and the airwaves next year when life starts to resume its routine. But some creative minds aren’t wasting time in exploring this unique event and recently, this reviewer had the opportunity to watch a film that offered up some surprisingly positive commentary about the pandemic in Love in Dangerous Times.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Jason who is at quite the crossroads in his life. For he moved away from his family to pursue his dreams as a writer and well, thus far, his dreams aren’t exactly coming to fruition. Because he’s struggling to find the right words and the inspiration to write in the first place, mainly due to the fact that a pandemic is raging around the globe. And as the days in isolation grow longer and his mind continues to wander, Jason decides that perhaps a little game of online dating might help him to pass the time and potentially find the inspiration he’s desperately been searching for. Goals that he seemingly accomplishes by matching with a wonderful woman named Sorrell. But the connection they share, and Sorrell’s ability to get Jason to open up like never before, combined with the sheer madness of the world, are going to fundamentally change his life in ways he never thought possible.

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So, before we dive too deeply into the themes present in this film, you deserve a bit of a warning dear reader. Simply because… this movie might make you extremely uncomfortable. For it feels painfully real and familiar at times and that can rattle a viewer that is rattled from the circumstances of the world right now, and it will also put people off that feel a movie in this vein, has come out; ‘too soon’. But if that doesn’t bug you in the slightest then this is a movie that is absolutely worth your while. Because the familiar elements present here, really do allow for the viewer to reflect upon the year that was and their own experiences when they were witness to what Jason is witness to and well, that’s something that pays off at the very end of the movie, which we will discuss in just a moment. 
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Because it is also supremely important that we take a moment to examine Jason and Sorrell’s relationship. For these two lovebirds and their fascinating journey, offers up a supremely different kind of love story for the viewer. Because rather than go the traditional route in this story and make these people extremely vulnerable, to the point where they view love as the only way to save their lives, they are in fact, quite closed off when they first meet one another. And it takes monumental effort on their part to open up to one another and begin to acknowledge that they share a deep and wonderful connection and seeing on that on screen, adds a powerful realism to this motion picture. One that is designed to truly draw the viewer in so that everything we’ve discussed here, comes together in the third act to provide the audience with some powerful lessons.

For in essence, this motion picture is about looking at the bright side when it comes to strife, by taking a moment to step back and examine our lives and everyone and everything within it, in an objective manner. And by doing that, we will quickly come to realize that we are in fact, quite blessed with the gift that is life and that we should celebrate it being honest and open with ourselves and those that surround us, and that we should also be quick to embrace every opportunity that comes out way. In part, because we never know where they will take us, but also because… everything in our lives can in fact, disappear just like that. So, live in the now. If anything, these are some wonderful messages to find within the framework of a wonderful movie. One that you should see as soon as possible, since it offers up quality acting, a unique concept plot wise and some uplifting moments that will leave you hopeful and eager to seize the day, when the world gets back to normal.

‘Love in Dangerous Times’ is available now on all On Demand platforms.

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