Watch An Existential Affair

An Existential Affair is a 2006 romantic dramedy that tells the story of Emilia and Edward, two strangers brought together by fate's whims. Directed by Peggy Bruen, the movie stars Gretchen Becker as Emilia, Alex A. Quinn as Edward, and Martin Landau as Dr. Friedkin. Emilia is a free-spirited artist who has just returned to Los Angeles after several years of traveling. She's trying to reconnect with her family, and most importantly, with herself. She stumbles upon Edward, a tightly wound ad executive who is struggling to make sense of his life after his wife passed away.

Emilia and Edward find themselves drawn to each other, and they embark on a journey of self-discovery that will challenge them in unexpected ways. They explore the meaning of life, love, and everything in between, as they try to make sense of their feelings and the world around them.

Along the way, Emilia and Edward meet Dr. Friedkin, a wise old man who helps them navigate their existential crises. Martin Landau delivers a beautiful performance, imbuing Dr. Friedkin with a quiet wisdom that elevates the whole movie.

The script, written by Peggy Bruen and Alex A. Quinn, is witty, insightful, and, at times, poignant. There are some excellent one-liners sprinkled throughout, but the dialogue never feels forced or contrived. The pacing is slow and deliberate, which might not be to everyone's taste, but it allows the characters and their emotions to breathe.

The cinematography is beautiful, with the streets of Los Angeles providing a stunning backdrop for the movie's themes of loneliness and connection. The music, composed by Michael A. Levine, is understated and lovely, never overpowering the story.

Gretchen Becker shines as Emilia, delivering a nuanced and layered performance. She's a complex character, and Becker does an excellent job of balancing her free-spiritedness with her nagging doubts and insecurities. Alex A. Quinn is also excellent as Edward, managing to make a character that could have been one-note into someone sympathetic and relatable.

Together, Becker and Quinn have an easy chemistry that makes their friendship/romance feel natural and authentic. Their relationship might be the movie's centerpiece, but there are some excellent supporting performances, notably from Martin Landau as Dr. Friedkin and Susan Duerden as Susan, a colleague of Edward's who has been harboring feelings for him.

An Existential Affair is a thoughtful and intelligent movie that will appeal to those who enjoy slow-burning character-driven dramas. It's not a movie for those who are after fast-paced action or big set-pieces, but for those who are willing to invest in the characters and their journey, it's a rewarding experience. It's a movie that will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

An Existential Affair is a 2006 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.