Alchemy (2005)

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

I watched this as a Netflix streaming movie. I was drawn to it mostly because it features Tom Cavanagh who played the bowling alley lawyer on the early 2000s TV series "Ed." I enjoy his acting style, and in "Alchemy" plays much the same type of character, but is a computer nerd instead.Tom Cavanagh is Mal Downey who is a professor doing research in advanced computer intelligence. When he comes to work, his voice is all that is needed for the computer, Jerry, to unlock his lab door. But Mal finds out his funding, AND his employment, will end shortly unless he becomes published.The rest is pure silliness, but entertaining silliness. Mal decides to try to get published by staging a competition between his computer and a noted speaker, the "love Guru", to see which can get a test subject, a pretty girl, to say "I Love You." Michael Ian Black who was on of Ed's bowling alley employees on the TV series is the voice of the computer, Jerry. Sarah Chalke is the subject, the pretty girl, Samantha Rose . James Barbour is the love Guru, Dr. Troy Rollins.Do you think Mal will get the girl in the end? And maybe forget about trying to get published? That is my guess.

Mal (Tom Cavanaugh) is a typical anti-social professor, totally obsessed with his own research. So much so that he has failed to do the 1st commandment of university instruction, "publish or perish". Therefore, unless he gets his recent findings into a major journal, his days are numbered as a researcher. His friend and colleague (Ileanna Douglas) has also tried to set Mal up with women but he has always been reluctant. Now, Mal turns to a former girlfriend (Nadia Dajani), who also happens to be an editor at a major woman's magazine called Belladonna, to help him get his current study into an article. You see, Mal has actually programmed a computer to "romance a woman" with catch phrases and displays of interest in what the woman actually says. Well, well. Therefore, Mal proposes an article about HIS computer competing for the affections of a chosen female against an actual male. The arrangements are made and the two other parties are selected, a pretty female named Samantha (Sarah Chalke) and a major masculine player, Dr. Love (Troy Rollins), also a professor. But, soon after the project starts, Samantha longs to meet the fellows she has been talking to so Mal must don the persona of a smooth Frenchman who, nevertheless, gets all of his lines from the computer ALONE and Dr. Love is, of course, himself. With two males in avid pursuit, which one will Sam choose? This is a cute, charming film despite having no major stars and an implausible premise. All of the actors do a fine job in their respected roles, although Douglas is virtually wasted. However, how nice to see Celeste Holm, as Mal's grandmother, for she is a major scene stealer. The obviously tight budget has resulted in a film that is only adequate in production values, for although the costumes are nice, the camera-work is amateurish. Nonetheless, if you adore romantic comedy and often are at odds in finding something new to watch, you should make efforts to locate this film. As in history, this Alchemy turns a somewhat leaden storyline into a golden experience for such viewers.

Attended the world premier at Tribeca Film Festival, what a great event for Downtown NYC. Sarah Chalke is fantastic as female lead in this movie, perfect casting. The story is sweet, the dialog is fast and witty without going over the top into NY sarcasm. Tom Cavanaugh does a wonderful job as the lead. The the supporting cast is excellent. Ileana Douglas, Celeste Holm, James Barbour are all great. Nadia Dajani's performance will be talked about by everyone as the quick comeback, cynical, heart of gold editor.The audience was treated to several belly laughs, not easy to do with a NYC audience. The various locations around NYC gave the movie a terrific backdrop for a story that can't be told without great acting and well written script. There are so many good lines in this movie that anybody who sees it will be repeating for years.Overall, an excellent and very well done movie with terrific music to boot. A little surprised that it was an independent film.

Just caught this in its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. At the Q&A after, someone in the audience described this movie perfectly -- it's the kind of comedy Hollywood used to make so well, before the movies started drowning in their own stupidity. "Alchemy" is laugh- out-loud funny, immensely charming, a whole lot of fun, and -- amazingly enough -- doesn't insult your intelligence! Not much else to say about it, other than that (like my favorite documentary, "Spellbound") it's a movie that absolutely everyone should and will enjoy. Will be very curious to see how many millions this movie makes when the general public gets to see it.Oh, and one other thing -- Tom Cavanagh (from "Ed") as "Jerry", the gay French computer program (you'll know what I mean when you see it)....Hilarious!!