Finding North

Despondent over the death of his lover, Travis (John Benjamin Hickey) takes a cab to the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge where he stands atop the railing, contemplating the long plunge. Although he doesn't follow through, the spectacle is witnessed by a "big-haired girl from Brooklyn," Rhonda (Wendy Makkena), who becomes (inexplicably) fixated on the suicide-bent Travis. Despite her professed street savvy, Rhonda doesn't find out till much later that Travis is gay, by which time she's already agreed to accompany him on a post-mortem scavenger hunt, a final request which his late lover concocted as a means of helping Travis 'find North' again (i.e., recover his emotional bearings). Although it's got a modicum of quirky charm, this self-billed romantic comedy is neither romantic nor terribly funny. Rhonda, as penned, is a grating ethnic stereotype -- right down to the harrying "Found a man yet?" phone calls from her shut-in parents, but to her credit Ms. Makkena manages to bring some warmth and poignancy to the role. Unfortunately, as the chronically-mopey Travis, Hickey has even less to work with. Tech credits are generally good, though even Liz and Dick would have trouble finding romance under such strident lighting. Not recommended. (S. C. Sickles)