A formerly successful music producer finds himself amidst a messy divorce, while his children struggle with their identity in the romantic comedy Trust in Love.
After finding success in the 80s, Mickey Ferrara (Jimi Petulla) is pushing hard to once again find that magic formula that has eluded him for nearly forty years, but his only clients are an 80s-sounding rock group who would rather fight amongst themselves than come together to make a special album. If his professional life sounds like it’s going down the drain, then his personal life is already in the sewers. Mickey believes himself to be happily married to Sofia (Natasha Wilson) with their two teenage kids Jennifer (Sydney Bullock) and Cody (Logan Arditty), but when he arranges a nice meal in a restaurant in order to ask Sofia to renew their vows, he is slapped in the face by a request for divorce. A request that shocks not only Mickey but also his family who were waiting in the wings ready to celebrate.
Directed by Mick Davis (Father Christmas Is Back, My Dad’s Christmas Date, Give Me More), Trust in Love is a sentimental and often humorous look at love, break-ups, and the effect it has on families. The script, written by lead actor Jimi Petulla, is chock-full of snappy dialogue and scenes that will make you smile, laugh, and think. Whilst, for the most part, Trust in Love is well shot, at times it more resembles a TV Show or a Hallmark movie than other features shot on a similar budget, but that’s not to say it doesn’t work, and I know many people who would appreciate the effort put into making this.
Not only does Petulla provide a nice script, but he also does very well in the lead role of Mickey; he hits on the right beats with his comedic performance, but he also makes the audience feel for the character and we can’t help but want him to find success and love. His main supporting actors also do very well with the material, which includes Natasha Wilson, Sydney Bullock, Logan Arditty, and Tim Hazelip as Mickey’s brother Bobby. It was also a nice surprise to see Eric Roberts show up in the film. Whilst Roberts is well known for starring in independent features as well as huge franchise movies like The Dark Knight (he has over 677 previous acting credits and 84 upcoming roles according to IMDB), he wasn’t advertised as being in the film, which isn’t normally the case for these type of productions – producers would normally put his face on the poster and his name at the top even if his screen time is only five minutes in length. I didn’t even know he was in Trust in Love until he appeared on screen.
Another welcome cameo came in the form of Robbie Krieger. An original member of the legendary rock group The Doors, Krieger plays himself in what is his first-ever acting role.
Trust in Love is one of those independent feel-good films that many people will enjoy. With a good cast and a good script, it will surely find its audience and maybe pick up a few awards whilst on its festival run. Keep an eye out for it.