Unmade Beds

Writing in VL-7/99, Mike D'Angelo admitted that "the recent blurring of the line between cinematic fiction and non-fiction is unquestionably intriguing, but I think that some part of me must fundamentally object to the deliberate obliteration of that line, because watching the four "characters" in Unmade Beds (all of whom have turned to NY's personals scene in an attempt to find love) flawlessly recite monologues about their pathetic lives made me acutely uncomfortable." Director Nicholas Barker's intentions and modus operandi become a little clearer on DVD (he filmed his subjects on video, and then wrote the script from their comments and re-shot on film) thanks to an interview with the director. An intriguing experiment in docudrama, this semi-voyeuristic, occasionally poignant ode to humans failing to connect is a strong optional purchase. (R. Pitman)