Hey gang, Valkor here. One of my all-time favorite films growing is “Weird Science”; it's a sex comedy that was the perfect blend of humor, charm, romance, and science fiction to form an unforgettable film experience. And as far as I can tell, such an event has ever been duplicated. Maybe I’m wrong or just too lazy to look it up, but either way, we have something that looks to carry along those lines with a modern day spin to it. Check it out, it’s iGirlfriend. And while it does a lot to approach the awesomeness of Weird Science, it doesn't quite hit the mark. And yet the film does enough to make it a fun film all its own. Some spoilers ahead.
iGirlfriend centers on two nerdy buddies Simon (Dalton Edward Phillips) and Peg (Tony Vespe), who’re having the worst time of their geeky lives. Simon is kicked out of his software club, both have been “pansted on YouTube”, and both don’t have girlfriends. To remedy the “no girlfriend” situation at least, Peg pressures Simon to create a program that would simulate them having actual girlfriends – one where these “women” would text them, update a Facebook status, the works! Hesitantly, Simon makes it happen but not without consequences as he gets the personalities mixed up; thus Simon got the naughty one, while Peg (who is the perv) got the nice. It worked out for Peg as he got the attention of the woman he liked. But it didn’t help Simon any when the girl he wants sees the text “your man meat is SO BIGGG” (among other pervy text). Well, rather than end it all right then and there, Simon goes back to the drawing board and adjusts the program to his liking. And after falling asleep near his laptop and spilling his energy drink on it, Lily (Kelly Pribilski) is suddenly brought to life. And with that, Simon and Lily go off together to have a happy life filled with all the sex they both can stand.
AS IF! There has to be some kind of conflict right? Well, Simon’s buddy Peg needs to break up with his virtual girl in order to get a real girl named Desiree (Gabriella Schafer). But to accomplish that task, he’ll need Simon’s laptop. He gets the laptop, does the breakup with a lovely montage set to the muzak version of “The Way We Were”, and to top it all off he makes some extreme adjustments to Lily that may just prove fatal for Simon. And now Lily is way too clingy for anyone’s needs and the only way to bring her back to “normal” is for Simon to get his laptop back that is now in the hands of his worst enemy Bash (Elvis Clark). Talk about up being shit creek without a paddle!
iGirlfriend draws heavily from “Weird Science” and even replicates a scene or two; most notably is the Kelly LeBrock doorway scene – pose and all (pic below is related). The film tosses out a bunch of 80s easter eggs such as Peg’s shirt is of Michael J. Fox’s "Teen Wolf”, Space Invaders on a wall, the conflict between Simon and Lily screams “Fatal Attraction” (minus the wife and the cooking of a rabbit), and then there’s the end beat, which is a nod to “The Breakfast Club” with Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget About Me”. And was that the “Oh Yea” riff from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”? Lastly, Tony Vespe's “Peg” looks an awful lot like a young James Spader… and I’m OK with that! Man, iGirlfriend is filled with all kinds of 80s eye candy. So, If I missed anything (and I’m sure I did), hit up my email; I’d sit through this one again just to see!
The Good:
While iGirlfriend doesn’t possess much of Weird Science’s humor or charm, it does enough on its own to make for one entertaining experience, complete with subtle and not so subtle 80s references. The film is a bit sluggish in the beginning and the jokes were lighter than I would have expected, but it’s a watchable feature that’s pretty well paced once the whole “creation of the girlfriends” kicks in. From then on it’s one crazy ride, though not the sex comedy I would have wanted. It wouldn’t hurt to show or boob or two because that’s what 80s comedy do. The performances weren’t too bad; definite standout goes to Elvis Clark for being the 80s badass this film deserved, complete with an 80s bully name “Bash”. Finally, I gotta give a nod to Kelly Pribilski who, other than the 80s treats, made rewatching the film a joy! She embraced all of the 80s female characters I’ve grown to love from the sweet and innocent “girl next door type” to “psycho bitch” in under 90 minutes. Go ‘head gurl, witcho Scarlett Johansson lookin’ fine ass! Ahem! Anyway, iGirlfriend isn’t one of the funniest comedies I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, it is a “fun film” that I’m sure folks will enjoy.
The Bad:
iGirlfriend isn’t perfect; again the beginning was pretty rough and I think more could have been done to show how much of a loser both Simon and Peg are. For instance, I don’t think Bash picked on them enough. And speaking of, how is it that Bash hates Simon more than Peg when it was Peg who was the one trying to get with his girl! Ultimately, I may have given the film much praise in the previous section, but when you guys are about to watch it, don’t expect to be blown away. Just roll with it and I think you’ll have a fun time.
The Ugly:
N/A
iGirlfriend is available now on DVD and digital formats such as Amazon Instant and Google Play. And while the film isn’t comedic perfection, it's the kind of film that grows on you and was a joy to watch. Plus the film has that added bonus of not only being a send up to an 80s classic but for having all those easter eggs it has sprinkled throughout. So, out of TOV 5 stars, I’m giving iGirlfriend a 3.5.
