Dopamine

Rank

Bottom 40% of all time (see others with this rank)

Festival Year

2003 (click here to see all competition films from this year)

Category

Dramatic Competition

Cast

John Livingston, Sabrina Lloyd, Bruno Campos, Rueben Grundy, William Windom, Nicole Wilder

Non-Cast Credits

Mark Decena, Eric Koivisto, Debbie Brubaker, Tad Fettig, Brian Benson, Timothy Breitbach, Liz Lupino Decena, Mark Decena, Timothy Breitbach, Rob Humphreys, Jessica Congdon

Description

As we learn more about the physiological makeup of the body and the brain, are we getting closer to understanding where love comes from and what is is, or will it remain the same life-fulfilling mystery it has always been? For anyone who has ever asked, "why him, why her, why now?" Dopamine (the name of a natural amphetatmine our bodies produce when we're falling in love) looks at love form its most rational to its most emotional and fashions a distinctly modern love story.

Rand (John Livingston) is a computer animator, who has created an artificial-intelligence creature designed to interact with children and tech them responsibility. When his prototype is forced into practice at a school, rand encounters Sarah (Sabrina Lloyd), a teacher he was inexplicably drawn to at his favorite bar one fateful evening. Sparks fly between them, but fundamental differences in their approaches to love and relationships slow them down to a halt. Will their differences keep them apart or will love -- and maybe a little dopamine -- conquer all?

Mark Decana laces dopamine with wit and charm. His assured direction, combined with terrific chemistry between the actors, make for an outstanding debut by a markedly gifted filmmaker.

Reviewer

Trevor Groth (see other films reviewed by the same reviewer)

Deconstructing Sundance | Abusing Statistics Since 2006