Unusual filmmaking usually fascinates me, and Love Is Blind emerges as one of the most unusual romantic dramedies I’ve seen in the past ten years. While watching the first part of this unique movie, I struggled to figure out what was real and what was fantasy. At the same time, I couldn’t help being drawn into the story being told on screen, thanks to wonderful performances by cast members Shannon Tarbet, Matthew Broderick, Chloë Sevigny, Aidan Turner, and Benjamin Walker. They all seemed so interesting and real to me.

Plus, the filmmakers used magic tricks to confuse me by making one character appear and disappear in certain scenes. I didn’t know if that important character was really there – or just a figment of someone’s imagination. But I really, really wanted to find out! It’s not appropriate to reveal spoilers, so I better stop right here and urge you to see Love Is Blind if you want to know more about that situation.           

However, a brief introduction to the main characters won’t hurt. Jane Doe plays Bess, a lovely young woman trying to help her dear father (Broderick) who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Bess also tells everyone that her mother (Sevigny) was killed in a recent automobile accident. (Then why does her father see her mother in various scenes?) An eccentric therapist (Walker) tries to help Bess as well as a suicidal construction worker (Turner) by teaming them up for therapy. This threesome becomes a strange romantic triangle, which adds extra suspense to Love Is Blind.

So many problems Bess must face.

What she’s not seeing takes first place.

She claims her mother passed away.

But others see her anyway.

Will therapy help Bess see right

and cure what’s wrong with her eyesight?

Her therapist, who loves her true,

decides to try something brand new.

A neighbor guy seems down and sad.

Would meeting Bess make him feel glad?

The therapist’s plans go awry,

for Bess can’t see this real-life guy!

Unique and lovely, LOVE IS BLIND

enchants us as one-of-a-kind.

It opens your heart and your eyes.

A romance film full of surprise.

One big surprise involves Aidan Turner playing a depressed construction worker. Can this be the same handsome actor who thrills us as the dashing Poldark in the popular PBS series?  Yes, but he looks and acts so different here that I didn’t recognize him. And yet, his amazing screen charisma still shines through. Another surprise is Shannon Tarbet’s limitless stamina as Bess. She never stops making us want the best for her. And two surprising scenes absolutely delighted me. Watch for Bess floating in the air and for an amusing dance sequence featuring Bess, her therapist, and the construction worker. You might want to get up and dance along with them.     

(Released by Uncork’d Entertainment. Not rated by MPAA.)

Director: Monty Whitebloom

Co-Director: Andy Delaney

Writer: Jennifer Schuur

For more information about Love Is Blind, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.