MAKING ARRANGEMENTS A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2003 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ***
"Somehow we've gotten away from the whole truth of flowers," Rebecca (Rebecca McCauley), one of the flower designers, laments in MAKING ARRANGEMENTS, one of the best mockumentaries not starring Christopher Guest (BEST IN SHOW and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN).
The movie itself never gets away from its mission, which is to delight and charm us with the hubbub of a busy flower shop. In a non-stop state of rush, rush, rush, the designers compete for resources -- the flowers in stock -- and for customers' acceptance of their floral choices, which turns out to be much tougher than it might seem. A Goth guy wants a black rose, a color not seen in nature. No problem -- where's the paint gun?
The enthusiastic ensemble cast works so well together that you'll swear they've been doing it for years. They are so perky and cute that they're a hard act not to adore. The only possible complaint about this wonderfully sweet film is that a half hour of MAKING ARRANGEMENTS is plenty. This, however, could and should be turned into an advantage by writer and director Melissa Scaramucci. I heartily recommend that she shop the movie around as a pilot for a half-hour TV sitcom. It is easily much better than most of today's television comedies. I asked Scaramucci about it after our screening, and she said that making it into a sitcom is actually her dream. Now if we could just get some savvy TV exec to see it, maybe her career could take off. She certainly deserves it.
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS runs 1:45. It is not rated but would be PG-13 for language and would be acceptable for kids around 10 and up.
The film is being shown as part of San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival (www.Cinequest.org), which runs February 27 to March 9, 2003.
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