Love That Boy (2003)-Melissa Smith
Love That Boy (2003)
By Melissa Smith
Love That Boy, filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia and released in 2003, revolves around the character of Phoebe, a 21-year-old social misfit who is about to graduate from university. Phoebe joylessly proceeds through life crossing off items on her life-experience to-do list.
Driven and focused, her interactions with the opposite sex are minimal until a comment by her long suffering friend, Robin, compels her to add “boyfriend” to her list of ambitions to achieve before graduation. Phoebe’s task of finding a boyfriend is hindered, as her intellect far surpasses her emotional development, and she is unable to contain her acerbic affronts to each man she meets. Her manner drastically changes when she strikes up a friendship and falls in love with Frazer, the neighborhood boy who just happens to be 14.
Director and co-writer Andrea Dorfman possesses the talent to render what sounds creepy on paper into an endearing story that explores the innocence of first love. Her task is facilitated by actress Nadia Litz, who looks much younger than her character’s age of 21, despite being approximately 25 at the time of production. Of note is the appearance of Ellen Page who plays the wily Suzanna and whose 2007 performance in the film Juno explores this same sensitive subject matter but as an unrequited attraction between herself and Jason Bateman’s character, Mark. If you enjoyed Juno, chances are you will like Love that Boy which is equally charming and quirky.
In addition to the film is the quality soundtrack created by Mike O’Neill of The Inbreds. Some of the songs from the film appear on O’Neill’s 2004 solo effort The Owl, but sadly the standout track, “Don’t Tell Me It’s Over,” which plays while the film credits roll, is unavailable, as a soundtrack was never released. I can only hope one is in the pipeline or I will be reduced to a sad figure who continuously replays the Love That Boy film credits in order to get my fix.