Courting Courtney

Nick (Dana Gould) announces to the viewer that he's about to make a documentary of the love life of his best friend, Courtney (Eliza Coyle). She is a single woman living in the Los Angeles area and she's about to turn thirty (ugh!) As the supposed documentary begins, Courtney is just ending an on-again, off-again relationship with her live-in boyfriend. The search for true love continues. Nick follows Courtney's next ventures as she tries video dating and becomes part of a therapy group for singles. No romance blooms from these attempts; they are profound failures. Will Courtney find her way to an engagement ring?

This sweet pseudo-documentary is clever and diverting. Nick is an acute observer and gives a humorous, running commentary on Courtney and her exploits. Courtney, too, is attractive and likeable; one hopes she will be able to meet her match. Adding much to the overall enjoyment of the film is the therapy group; they spout comments that are quite funny. The end of the film may be easy to guess but it is satisfying nonetheless. Although the film 20 Dates may be a slightly better realized film in the same category, Courting Courtney will appeal to the romantic in all of us. Recommended for an evening's worth of smiles and sighs.