Photo by Randy Jennings
Local director Henrique Couto, known for Calamity Jane’s Revenge, A Bulldog for Christmas and Depression: The Movie has released his newest feature Making Out. The young director who started his career with low budget horror flicks, directing 13 features, throws his audience a curve ball as loud as his pants (on any given day). Making Out premiered Friday Feb. 5 at the By-Jo Theatre in Germantown in front of a busy and loud audience of fans, friends, cast and critics. The romantic comedy shot partially in Dayton and Germantown explores the real and fake way people “act” in relationships.
First rule of fake dating: making out only, so it doesn’t get “weird.”
Making Out stars Titus Wolverton as screenwriter Charles and Erin R. Ryan as actress Erin who meet for a short film shoot. Later reconnecting and agree to act out the storybook, stereotypical romance both have always dreamed about.
“Like most people I’ve had my ups and downs involving relationships,” Couto said. “I learned a lot about romance and expectations and that led me to make Making Out, a film about people who ignore real connection in favor of pretending to have the love they’ve always wanted,” Couto elaborated.
“Working on this film, with so many extraordinarily talented people, was an absolute treasure for me. I adore everyone who was a part of this. I wholeheartedly enjoyed each and every day and night on set,” Wolverton said.
Couto’s often irreverent, shock orientated humor is on display throughout the movie from an early shower scene with Charles’s mom, to a romantic dinner at a gang affiliated bar. Charles also has a scrap with a pro wrestler “defending” Erin’s honor. Greek yogurt jokes, slams on social media selfie etiquette and Hostess desserts are spread throughout, while the movie builds up the pseudo lovey dovey stuff.
“It was fun to be a part of a movie with so much heart and humor. It’s not often you come across a script with such honesty toward romance,” Ryan said.
Part of Making Out’s charm is self-defined, as two characters act out a cheesy, stereotyped fantasy together while two actors act out the same on camera. Are some scenes awkward on purpose or just portrayed as such? So, what happens when things start to go off script as lines between “being in character” and real feelings blur building to a shotgun wedding, that backfires more than once?
Public reaction has truly affected Couto. “I am in awe of how positive the response to Making Out has been, especially the response to the message it sends about love and relationships. I figured people would like the laughs but I didn’t know if they would like more beyond that.” Couto said.
Wolverton concluded, “I love working on the craft of acting. The joy it gives me is truly beyond words. It feeds my soul. And getting to collectively use our combined gifts to bring Henrique’s amazing writing to life is so fun and so rewarding. I am extremely thankful to have done this.”
