XX/XY

This schematic, contrived debut by filmmaker Austin Chick apparently wants to make a statement about the problematic nature of male-female relationships, but its technical showiness and lack of credible, sympathetic characters instead make for a tedious viewing experience. Although divided into seasons, the film actually falls into two parts, one set in 1993 and the other in the present. In the first, intense collegian Sam (Maya Stange) has a tempestuous relationship with Coles (Mark Ruffalo), a scruffy would-be filmmaker, but they're broken up by his dalliance with her roommate Thea (Kathleen Robertson). A decade later, Sam and Coles accidentally meet again, and feel the old attraction even though he has a long-term girlfriend (Petra Wright). Chick resorts to editing tricks and camera pyrotechnics to give some false edginess to his essentially bland script, while encouraging the actors to pose and posture in an effort to flesh out the thin characters, but nothing works. At one point in XX/XY, a fellow who paid to see Coles's only feature asks the director for his money back. After watching this misfire, you might feel like demanding the same of Chick. Not recommended. (F. Swietek)