User Reviews

This is not your typical feel-good movie of the year. This is a realistic glimpse into a father's ability to parent after a dramatic loss. Misdirected grief takes you on a tragic journey that keeps you in a constant feeling of pain and struggle for the main character as you hope to see him hero his way out. Obsessed with the idea of learning to play tennis we see how other parts of life fade to the background. This story will have you playing sides on what is right or wrong.

This movie is by far the worst movie any human would experience. If you believe this is an exaggeration, just watch the movie!

This nuanced film really struck a chord with me. Without ruining a good review with spoilers, I do not think that it is not too much information to share that the film shows a man spiraling through the various emotional depths of his personal grieving process. At the start there is a scene that makes the viewer question (along with the protagonist and his best friend) whether or not there is a "right" way to grieve. We never really get an answer. Instead, this film produces an emotionally nuanced and character-driven plot that allows us as the audience understand the sometimes conflicting emotions that bubble-up within a person when grieving. Also, this film develops into a story about who and what we turn to, and turn into, as we are changed by the experience of deep loss. Robert Cannon's ability to portray the simultaneously conflicting emotions of sorrow, anger, despair, hope, love, and even at times joy in the midst of grief truly speaks to the complexities of the grieving experience. The best friend of the protagonist, and what I'm tempted to call the bro-with-a-heart-of-gold, is played by Mark Gagliardi. However, this sometimes comical "bro" character proves more complex than just a stereotype. The best friend character in this film is also a delightfully complicated character that provides several moments of comic relief throughout the film while never becoming the archetypal fool. By the end of the film viewers never really get an answer about whether or not there is a "right" way to grieve. Without giving away too many specifics of the plot, I must say that the ending of the film left me feeling both profoundly hopeful and uncomfortable. This is anything but a cliché sports film. Nor is it a typical love, loss, or family drama. This film truly calls to mind the subtleties of that old French phrase: C'est la vie.

High energy film, about a man who loses his wife in childbirth, with a baby left in his care, alone and bewildered. Kelly's husband emotes through his obsession with winning tennis tournaments, spins out of control to the brink of insanity. To succeed is to prove his love for her, if not to anyone, but himself. His attempt to win back her life through his success is his undoing. This film's abstract twist on grief and its overwhelming emotions explodes in the face of familial ties, enduring friendships, and professional advice. The lack of close bonding with an innocent infant, is the heart-wrenching counterpoint to the husband's wild obsession to win.

Good film for students, social networking groups, parents, and family therapists . . . it delves into the subconscious mind of grief; how closing off emotions can go crazily awry, and leave devastating consequences for everyone left behind.

I'm a fan of small indie movies and this is a good one. While is focuses on a man's obsession with succeeding in a sport, it certainly goes in a different direction from any sports movie you've seen. The main character's striving in tennis in his grief for his late wife, even as he neglects his infant child, is disturbing to watch. Though shot on a tiny budget, the film is stylishly directed, expertly photographed and edited, and features a terrific use of background music. It is also good to see Brenda Vaccaro back on the big screen in a key role in this film.

This is a very well crafted story that hits the mark on several levels.It is very entertaining to watch. The acting is superb. Editing, cinematography, and music is excellent. The movie has a great balance between drama and humor. If you are looking for an entertaining movie, this is a great choice.

The real power behind this movie experience for me, though, was that it did not follow the typical Hollywood formulas. This film is a wild ride. The main character's flaws are there for all to see. It would be easy to hate him, yet you can't resist pulling for him as he struggles to cope with his crushing circumstances.

This is the kind of movie you will talk about for days, possibly weeks after watching it. Very well directed! An excellent film! I strongly recommend it!

"30-Love" is an unusually strong independent film from first time director Robert Cannon. The film chronicles the misguided effort of a man who loses his wife in childbirth to work out his grief in an obsessive attempt to win a tennis tournament. Strong acting and cinematography as well as a driving musical background all contribute to the overall effectiveness of the film. Although there are several slow spots along the way, the story ends on a creepy and almost horrific note of ambiguity and the viewer is left disturbed and unsettled.

To be fair I only put this on cause I was looking for another tennis film to watch. The opening scene left me saying, this is terrible what is this. But gave it some time and was really surprised at how good it was. Very simple narrative told with a heart. Thoughtful, Funny and tight script not at all fluffy with very good performances all round. I was routing for the guy. And shot for just 30k. Well worth a watch.

In a world of Hollywood blockbusters, synthesized reboots and rehashed plots with a saccharinoid ending; it is really refreshing to see an independent feature unconstrained by these trappings. 30 Love is not going to make you happy, but perhaps that's the point. To make you think and feel the rest of the human experience instead.

It's gut punching in it's inescapable realism on the aspects of grief over losing a loved one and being saddled with a responsibility that you are not ready for and didn't sign up for. This of course leads you to be wary of the main character and perhaps that's a good thing. Life isn't always about happy endings and people don't always change. This film speaks to that eloquently and takes you along for the ride.

Sure, there's the usual indie film challenges with sound and filming on a micro budget, but the result is greater then the sum of its parts and well worth a look for anyone who wants to see some real indie-filmmaking instead of the usual studio schlock. It makes you think and feel and surprisingly doesn't disappoint except where it's supposed to.

Better than Blade Runner! I saw Blade Runner last night and have to say I liked 30 Love so much more! How refreshing it is to see a small limited-budget film get made that takes a simple story and gives a unique perspective on it. Kudos to Director Robert Cannon and Director of photography Dan Fischer for beautifully illustrating the story. I can see this film appealing to tennis buffs but even without being one, I found it thoroughly entertaining. Being a Mini Cooper owner and knowing how small that car really is, I was left wondering how on earth those Mini Cooper shots were made. The film didn't fall into the trap of being predictable but gave us believable characters. This film shows you that you don't always need big bucks to pull off a good film-All you need is creativity, talent, and hard work to pull off an enjoyable yet thought- provocative film. Bravo!

For those unfamiliar with the tennis term "30 Love," it refers to being either two points ahead or two points behind in a game. It doesn't really matter though because this film is not really that much about tennis… even though much of what you see on screen takes place on the tennis court!

Confusing…yes but it all makes perfect sense when you see this charming and quirky film about a custody battle between a new father, his newborn daughter and his recently deceased wife's mother played brilliantly by Brenda Vaccaro.

The film showcases some terrific performances performances and expert cinematography by Dan Fischer which include scenes of old Los Angeles landmarks as backdrops. I also really liked the selection of music and how it fit well with the vibe of the film….especially in the high paced moments of hysteria.

If you are looking for someone to rescue the baby from two unprepared rival guardians, better stop looking because you won't find it in this movie. Also, don't look for a feel good ending either because there is none….but it begs for a sequel to let us in on how this story would progress.

This film really captured the raw grief of a man after tragically loosing his wife during child birth. It was very believable as he grappled with bonding with the baby, and honoring his wife by taking up tennis, a game he hated, but she loved! There was a nice pace to it, believable characters, with a little humor mixed in too. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, Well done!

The film paints a realistic portrait of testosterone infused grief. Helmed by Robert Cannon and anchored by his terrific performance, 30 Love delves into the subjects of loss, single parenting and child custody in very unexpected ways. In the tradition of Travis Bickle and Robert Dupea (Nicholson's character in Five Easy Pieces) Cannon and Heffler paint another interesting portrait of a male who escapes unbelievable pain through obsession and occupation. A must see for tennis fans and lovers of independent cinema, don't expect an immediate Hollywood jolt. 30 Love pridefully refuses to satisfy without a fight.

I came away from this film much the same way I came away from my first Laurie Kilmartin comedy set: somewhat in shock but hopeful. At first glance, the title for this movie could just as well have been a version of Kilmartin's bestseller Sh*tty Mom. But in the end, the tennis term 30/Love is simply perfect! I am drawn to films that provoke the question, "What makes suffering funny – why am I laughing?" Think Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, for example. 30/Love also takes up unimaginable loss and grieving (the death of a spouse in childbirth – not shown - and the subsequent single-parenting in the baby's first year) much the same way a top-notch sobriety meeting does: you know it's working when you have an uproariously good laugh and feel much better going out than when you came in! A word about the ending: it leaves viewers with wildly different interpretations. As for mine, I am reminded of the famous phrase coined by child psychologist DW Winnicott: the key to "good enough parenting" is to provide the essential background to allow for the growing child's disillusionment with the world, without destroying her/his appetite for life and ability to accept reality. At the end of 30/Love, I had the sense that this wounded but valiant father would, thankfully, become a good-enough parent.

Maybe it was the simple fact that I felt caught off guard that appealed to me so much about this film. I highly enjoyed looking through another's raw and candid portrayal of tragedy, and how honestly and openly this was played. It makes you think and do so differently offering fresh insight and perspective. There's definitely something interesting to takeaway for everyone. Feeling uncomfortable was a welcome change to the usual. It was also funny, poignantly so. Enjoy.

NO SPOILERS!

30-Love is a beautifully shot, brilliantly acted and well thought out story of a man struggling with being a father while dealing with the hardships of life. Insightful and imaginative, it twists and turns in both characters and time-line - leaving the viewer needing (and moreover WANTING) a second viewing, to be sure. I consider myself lucky that I was able to see it on the big screen. Kudos to the entire cast, crew and everyone else involved in the making of this independent feature!

This is a small film with a big heart. Having Ira Heffler on board as the co-writer was a very smart move on the part of first-time filmmaker, Robert Cannon. Directing and starring in the film is a challenge, but I think Mr. Cannon held his own quite well playing the the grieving husband of his wife who just died in childbirth. This is information that is given at the very beginning of the film s it's not a surprise. Brenda Vaccaro is touching as the Mother of his deceased wife. Writing about loss and grief is always challenging, and I think this film addresses it in a thoughtful way. The metaphor of tennis, of learning how to play the game well is a great idea and used very successfully in this film. I think all of the actors are quite strong - large and small roles. I would like to see more from Mr. Cannon and Mr. Heffler - and I always enjoy Ms. Vaccaro's work.

Wow - what a really, really cool film. A hidden gem - even though there's quite a bit of tennis in the film, it's really not about the game. The music is eclectic and matches the scenes perfectly - I wish they had released a soundtrack. Production values and cinematography were top-notch too -- not your traditional Hollywood movie. Far from it. Instead, it's a film that's raw and honest. Felt very much like a Hal Ashby story. And, it was great to see Brenda Vaccaro again!

30 Love is a well made and inspiring film! The lead did an amazing job in his role and the story was as realistic as people would expect in life. And since I live in the LA area, I did notice a lot of the locations filmed that are familiar to me. This helped capture me as a viewer. I felt a type of documentary feel from the filming but it brought the event of the main character's life to you. So in summary I enjoyed the film, as it was filled with comedy, drama, and motivation.

I really enjoyed this film and especially the raw emotions that were so exposed and real. Each character was unique and likable and their interactions and relationships were also very real. It was darker subject but still a lot of funny moments and humor that I personally relate to! I am not an expert at camera work and film but I know that the quality was very good and the story line really kept me engaged. I have never been that excited for a tennis tournament in my life I know that!

"30 Love," Robert Cannon and Ira Heffler's dark humored new film, navigates life's unexpected turns with a quirky plot, a strong ensemble cast (including veteran actress Brenda Vacaro) and solid craftsmanship. Set in Los Angeles (with the city's iconic and hidden views), Dan Fischer expertly captures the action, both on and off the tennis court. Wins and Losses serve as metaphor for the broader game of life, which has its share of painful and often touching twists.