ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

The Playboy of Park Slope

Synopsis

A virgin in his twenties makes a pact with his platonic girlfriend for her to take his virginity if he doesn’t get lucky by his next birthday. Things get complicated when he has a change in fortune but has a hard time telling her.

Review

4/5
An endearing comedy that explores virginity, friendship and love.
Directed by Joe Acierno, from a script by Acierno & Michelle Batista, ‘The Playboy of Park Slope’ is a comedy romance that probes the friendship between Shawn (Daniel Bitar), a twenty-something virgin, and his best friend Gabriella (Michelle Batista). Additional cast include; Brian Collins (Eric), Gabrielle O’Donnell (Ashley) and Jenna Reilly (Jaimie). Set in New York City and New Jersey, the amusing, yet melodramatic narrative explores themes of love, sexuality, jealousy, heartbreak and friendship.

The 22-minute film is set in motion with unlucky-in-love Gabriella and best friend Shawn discussing their personal lives (set amongst a spectacular backdrop of Manhattan). After he sheepishly reveals his virginity – to her astonishment – Gabriella proposes an agreement that she will have sex with him before his next birthday. Later, the narrative explores Shawn’s hilarious misfired attempts at flirting, before he eventually charms and loses his virginity to Ashley. The narrative diverges at the midway point, unravelling Shaun’s sexual discontentment and emotional realisation. The film concludes triumphantly with hilarious cringe comedy and an endearing conclusion. A humorous watch throughout.

The Playboy of Park Slope Short Film e1664990913931
Acierno and Batista have crafted an amusing tale with an unexpected romantic underbelly. The narrative is well constructed, with a compelling character flaw and catalyst (losing virginity). Despite a peculiar one-off scene of breaking the fourth wall, the film manages to clasp engagement and entertain. The friendship between Shawn and Gabriella would benefit from further emotional scrutiny – particularly with the concluding scene. Regardless, the characterisation, acting delivery and production quality is highly commendable. The entire cast, notably Bitar and Batista, give outstanding performances throughout. This light-hearted comedy will make you cringe, laugh and smile. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Joe Acierno
Writer(s): Joe Acierno, Michelle Batista
Cast: Brian Collins, Daniel Bitar, Gabrielle O’Donnell, Jenna Reilly, Michelle Batista
Producer(s): Darius Delsoin, Jenna Reilly, Joe Acierno
Director of Photography: Darius Delsoin
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Collections:
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 22 min

Recommended

5/5

Kastle Face

A woman running from an abusive relationship finds herself falling in love with a bell hop at the hotel where she seeks refuge. They…
  • Music, Romance
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 11 min
4/5

Monster Mayhem

When VFX artists hijack a zombie film, all fun breaks loose….
  • Action, Comedy
  • Canada
  • 2022
  • 2 min
5/5

Lucy

A portrait of a woman coping with the complicated feelings that come with pregnancy….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 9 min
5/5

Legal 18

An actor in his late twenties totally crushes his audition for the role of a thirteen year-old bully….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 7 min
3/5

Telling Stories

A screenwriter has 48 hours to write a script and she solicits her ‘characters’ to pitch their stories….
  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2019
  • 17 min
5/5

Bob

A girl invites a costumed stranger off the street to her older sister’s dinner party. The mysterious man simply called ‘Bob’ seems friendly enough……
  • Comedy, Romance
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 18 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Joe Acierno
Writer(s): Joe Acierno, Michelle Batista
Cast: Brian Collins, Daniel Bitar, Gabrielle O’Donnell, Jenna Reilly, Michelle Batista
Producer(s): Darius Delsoin, Jenna Reilly, Joe Acierno
Director of Photography: Darius Delsoin
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , ,
Collections:
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 22 min

Recommended

3/5

Captain Tiny Hands

  • Comedy, Music
  • United States
  • 2020
A superhero saves his neighbors from everyday distresses….
4/5

A Balanced Breakfast

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
A neurotic, workaholic father sets out to find his favorite childhood cereal during an unexpected day off with his 13 year old daughter….

The Playboy of Park Slope

Synopsis

A virgin in his twenties makes a pact with his platonic girlfriend for her to take his virginity if he doesn’t get lucky by his next birthday. Things get complicated when he has a change in fortune but has a hard time telling her.

Review

An endearing comedy that explores virginity, friendship and love.

4/5
Directed by Joe Acierno, from a script by Acierno & Michelle Batista, ‘The Playboy of Park Slope’ is a comedy romance that probes the friendship between Shawn (Daniel Bitar), a twenty-something virgin, and his best friend Gabriella (Michelle Batista). Additional cast include; Brian Collins (Eric), Gabrielle O’Donnell (Ashley) and Jenna Reilly (Jaimie). Set in New York City and New Jersey, the amusing, yet melodramatic narrative explores themes of love, sexuality, jealousy, heartbreak and friendship.

The 22-minute film is set in motion with unlucky-in-love Gabriella and best friend Shawn discussing their personal lives (set amongst a spectacular backdrop of Manhattan). After he sheepishly reveals his virginity – to her astonishment – Gabriella proposes an agreement that she will have sex with him before his next birthday. Later, the narrative explores Shawn’s hilarious misfired attempts at flirting, before he eventually charms and loses his virginity to Ashley. The narrative diverges at the midway point, unravelling Shaun’s sexual discontentment and emotional realisation. The film concludes triumphantly with hilarious cringe comedy and an endearing conclusion. A humorous watch throughout.

The Playboy of Park Slope Short Film e1664990913931
Acierno and Batista have crafted an amusing tale with an unexpected romantic underbelly. The narrative is well constructed, with a compelling character flaw and catalyst (losing virginity). Despite a peculiar one-off scene of breaking the fourth wall, the film manages to clasp engagement and entertain. The friendship between Shawn and Gabriella would benefit from further emotional scrutiny – particularly with the concluding scene. Regardless, the characterisation, acting delivery and production quality is highly commendable. The entire cast, notably Bitar and Batista, give outstanding performances throughout. This light-hearted comedy will make you cringe, laugh and smile. Highly recommended.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope