Dopamine

Reviewed by George O. Singleton

for Reel Movie Critic

HHH

Cast

John Livingston Randy

Sabrina Lloyd Sarah

Bruno Campos Winston

Reuben Grundy Johnson

Directed by Mark Decena. Comedy, drama, romance. Rated R (for language, sexuality and brief drug use). Running time: 79 minutes.

Emotional auto-pilot

"Dopamine" is one of those films targeted to the 20 to 30-something crowd that hits home regardless of how old you are.

Winston, Johnson and Randy (Bruno Campos, Reuben Grundy and John Livingston) are computer animation developers of a school program designed for use in K-12 that is in test marketing. They need for it to work and be sold soon as they are at the brink of bankruptcy.

Koy Koy is the animated bird that reacts to input from the children, more or less perfectly, except when one of those errant computer bugs pops up from time to time. Believing that feelings, conditioning and emotions are all related to a chemical reaction, the development trio decides to give Koy Koy someone to relate to called Ki Ki, a female.

Johnson is a middle of the road kind of guy regarding business and relationships. He's well intentioned but like many men, he is too literal. When he gives perfume to a woman he's attracted to who says that's "too sweet," he thinks it's the fragrance rather than his actions.

Winston knows how to take what is offered while his buddy Randy, the real brains of the development team, can be starving for companionship and is usually one step behind in his personal relationships. In a bar Sarah (Sabrina Lloyd) makes eye contact with Randy and walks over to him but she leaves with Winston because Randy can not act or say anything of consequence to get the ball rolling.

Sarah reconnects with the software developers because she is a teacher at the school where the testing is being done. This low-key story is surreal on one level and very real on another. What's wrong with a woman who wants a one night stand, who realizes that her desire is allowing her to be about as memorable as a value meal at a fast food drive through? When you crave companionship you must do something. Sarah's past and the non-relationship that exists with her biological mother have her on auto-pilot, often landing in places that she should not.

Are all relationships programmed? "Dopamine" speaks to the passion that tends to exist early in a relationship that fades into memory once you are ready to show the real you…belching, seeing someone without makeup, their hair in rollers, etc. Once you get what you "want" from a person, is it as much fun to get what you want from them again? As sultry singer Sade says, "It's nothing like the first time," and she just may be onto something. But does that mean that only the first time can be the best?

The relationships in "Dopamine" may make you feel a little uncomfortable because they can trigger thoughts about why you do what you do. How you react to situations today will determine the choices you have tomorrow. Every moment and everything you do matters. You can't impact what obstacles may be on a given path, but you can choose the path.