I'll bet Jeff Stolhand, director of this Austin-made film, about cut his wrists when "You've Got Mail" came out last year. The plot in his "What I Like About You" is similar, but different. It's not a whole lot better, but then again, plot isn't everything.

Neither is verisimilitude. This film doesn't have any semblance of reality in it anywhere. The characters are cartoons, the plot is silly romantic-comedy drivel and the filming is no-budget-indie quality to say the best. But it's a damn amusing and cute film nonetheless. Stolhand has managed to capture the spirit and the fun-loving attitude of those cheesy 80's romantic teen comedies and updated it for the 90's. Okay, the 2K generation, whatever. The film is an homage to John Hughes and those USA "Night Flight" films, if nothing else.

Marie Black plays a small local bookstore (Books at Barton Cottage) owner that faces off a bunch of no-good-doers who want her to sell her share of the store to the developers of a strip mall. She, of course, demurs, opting to fight for her passion rather than a price tag. Meanwhile, Ryan Wickersham, who is one of the most amusing actors Austin has to offer, mugs his way through the film and tugs on Black's heart until she just has to go out with him. At first we want the duo to succeed, their chemistry is cute an undeniable, even if we know they don't belong together. Somewhere in the middle, however, this important angle of the film loses it's way and the two drop the ball. Still, Wickersham continues to joke and mug his way through the film with an undeniable charm that has "star" written all over it.

Cameron Johnson plays Jake, a gay character, with a sweet charm and a subtle assuredness. He's one of the best gay characters to grace the screen in an Austin film in a good while. Too bad Stolhand tries to make him go goo-goo eyed over older guy Ev Lunning. Bearded and stoic (a nice word for stiff-as-a-board), Lunning is lost playing a closeted judge. He sticks out like a sore thumb here.

Much of the action of the film is set at a Radio Station and Stolhand has apparently never, ever visited one. His DJ's don't wear headphones and his control board looks remarkably more like a recording studio console than a radio station's would. Stolhand also lets Tim Curry (no, not that Tim Curry, a African-American from Austin) go far too broad here. His performance boarders on absurdist and stereotypical.

Ah, but I guess I'm nitpicking. The film may have a few problems but it's, basically, harmless fun. The only real problem is the sound which is far too poorly recorded to make the film releasable. It's just technically inept in this area. (Of course, this could have been Slamdance's fault and not the print).

"What I Like About You" made me laugh quite a bit. Wickersham is really amusing and talented. Stolhand seems to just let him go and films most of the mayhem that manifests itself in his wake. It's a good sophomore film for no budget and no technical wizardry. I think Stolhand and most of his cast have a pretty bright future ahead.

Notes:

Much of the cast of this film can also be found in Austin based films "Sweet Thing" and/or "Attack of the Bat Monster." Notably under-used in the film is the talent Michael Dalmon, who apparently turned down a bigger role in the film to play the quirky but silent "Unabomber" wannabee in the film.

Music by Mark David, who also has a cameo as "Bongo Man" in the film.

The film has a cover version of the Romantics' (title) tune over the opening credits. Songs by The Scabbs can be found in the film as well. http:\\www.whatilikeaboutyou.com

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