IFCT Schedule Orlando

December 16th, 2006

Austin's Coffee and Film, Orlando Florida

4pm-5:30pm Feature Presentation

Love in the First Degree Directed by Michael Egan, Australia

Sydney. Summer: Out-of-work actor FRED THATCHER goes to work at a stuffy corporate law firm as a temporary secretary. His assignment: LESLIE BARRETT, a stressed-out female associate on the partner track – and they instantly despise each other. During the next few weeks, sexual tension grows between the two co-workers and they become an item – yet it freaks Leslie out. She’s mortified that Fred is so far beneath her on the corporate food chain, and she begs him to keep their romance secret from all her friends and co-workers. Fred, annoyed that she’s ashamed to admit she’s “dating down”, threatens to break up unless she goes public.
When her wealthy Melbourne parents come to town, Fred demands to meet them. Leslie’s folks, however, assume Fred’s a lawyer, and she doesn’t have the heart to correct them. Angered at Leslie’s cowardice, Fred pretends he is a lawyer, and waxes rhapsodic to her folks about arguing in front of the High Court. After her parents leave, the two lovers fight, with Fred stomping off, hurt that she’s so ashamed to tell people she’s dating her secretary – and they’re kaput.

Fred quits the temp assignment and lands a role in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of MacBeth. Leslie’s a wreck and can’t stop thinking about Fred – and vice versa. Leslie begs Fred for another chance, but his pride is far too wounded. In a last ditch effort, Leslie bolts to the opening night of the play for a last-ditch stab at reconciliation. But during the performance, the legendary MacBeth curse kicks in with onstage with screw-ups galore. As the play falls down around the cast’s ears, Leslie winds up getting her man back – on stage in front of a howling, cheering audience, proving to Fred and to the world that she’s not ashamed of him and his profession anymore…

Read review of film on Aint it Cool