Searching for Sonny

Searching for Sonny

What would you do if you were a 28-year-old underachieving pizza delivery guy? If you’re Elliot Knight (Jason Dohring – Veronica Mars, Moonlight) you decide to attend your ten-year high school reunion, but only after receiving a postcard invite with a mysterious message.  He has some amends to make to his childhood BFF Sonny Bosco (Masi Oka – Heroes, Hawaii Five-O) and believing that the message is from him he makes the journey into his past in an attempt to make things right.  Upon arriving, however, Elliot realizes that his quest might not be quite as easy as he had hoped when he finds out that Sonny is missing.  He does manage to reconnect with his ne’er-do-well fraternal twin brother Calvin (Nick Kocher) and former friend Gary Noble (Brian McElhaney), and the trio begins to investigate the seemingly mysterious disappearance of their old friend.

One mystery leads to another when, while searching for clues to locate Sonny, they discover the dead body of the former high school quarterback, who happens to also be the husband of Elliot’s ex-girlfriend Eden (Minka Kelly).  Trouble with the law in the form of Detectives Williams (Richard Olsen) and Kitchens (Grayson Howe) lead to even more mysterious goings on, all of which seem to be oddly similar to a high school play they were involved in that happened to be written by Sonny.  That revelation leads them to further believe that everything is somehow related to his disappearance.  All isn’t quite what it appears, however, and the reality becomes clear when the twist ending of Sonny’s play is revealed, therefore revealing the truth of their current situation.

Searching for Sonny is a comedic murder mystery that has all the right stuff going for it.  Stellar performances abound from Dohring as the lead, to McElhaney and Kocher, the comedic team known as BriTANick, to Oka as Sonny.  We are charmed from the get go by these characters, though often for surprising reasons.  The supporting cast of Michael Hogan, Matt Beckham and Richard Olsen all give fine performances, as well.  Additionally, the wonderful score and fabulous voice-over narration by Clarke Peters combine to bring a certain strength and substance to this comedic gem.  Kudos to Andrew Disney (Writer/Director) for pulling together such a great ensemble of professionals to brilliantly bring his film to life.

Searching for Sonny is quirky, witty, and often times just plain fun, with enough substance to make you ponder the things that really matter in life and examine what we’re hanging onto from our own past that may be holding each of us back from being the best of who we can be in our current life.  A film that makes you think while hilarity ensues is a wonderful thing and that is what Searching for Sonny is.  If this fine film is playing near you, I highly recommend that you run to see it.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

NR with a running time of 94 minutes.

Starring: Jason Dohring – Elliot Knight, Masi Oka – Sonny Bosco, Nick Kocher – Calvin Knight, Brian McElhaney – Gary Noble, Minka Kelly – Eden Mercer, Michael Hogan – Principal Faden, Matt Beckham – Vick, Richard Olsen – Detective Williams, Grayson Howe – Detective Kitchens, Michael Kagan – Mr. Mercer, Richard Folmer – Finley, and Clarke Peters – The Narrator.

 

Searching for Sonny is now available for pre-order for all who were unable to see it at a festival or all who just want to see it again.  Here’s where to order.