Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Doc Hollywood. The Truman Show. And now, Barely a Chance?

 

Like the previous three Hollywood vehicles, Barely a Chance was filmed in Florida. Only instead of highlighting under-renovation South Beach, historic Micanopy or the architecturally perfected town of Watercolor on the Forgotten Coast, this indie film highlights the southwest portion of the Sunshine State.
And instead of featuring Jim Carrey, Michael J. Fox or, well, Jim Carrey again, the romantic comedy stars Eric Raddatz, who also wrote, directed and produced the movie. Raddatz, whose first movie, A Day to Love and Die, got picked up for international distribution after screening at the New York International Film and Video festival in 2005, has also been in Stir of Echoes, Stuck on You, Just Visiting, ER, and Rookie of the Year.

 

Filmed in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Captiva Island, Bonita Springs and Naples, Barely a Chance is about the journey of a man who, miserably mired in the ‘90s, becomes single and utilizes the five stages of grief to accept his dysfunctional and dork-like identity. The movie contains original music by Dan Miller, Danny Sinoff, Darrell Nutt, Heather Brooks, Mike Rogers, DJ Michael Briscoe and Kelsey Merritt.

 

Sound fun? Funny? Right up your own somewhat dork-like alley? Good—because lucky you, you can go to the premier! On Friday, June 6, the film debuts, before it embarks on its 2008-9 festival touring schedule, at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Pre-showing, guests can enjoy a concert by Heather Brooks Band, Modulation and DJ Michael Briscoe, which will also be attended by stars from the movie: Keegan Shayne, Scott Thompson, Doug MacGregor, Amy Whicker, Jessica DiTomaso, director and executive producer Eric Raddatz, and additional cast and crew members.

 

The whole star-making shindig starts at 6:30 p.m. (movie at 8) and costs a mere three bucks at the door. And if you’re a student, you don’t even have to spend that much—you get in free. That’s because the event is sponsored by the Sidney and Berne Davis Center for the Arts, Fort Myers Downtown Redevelopment Agency, Erad Productions L.L.C., Southwest Florida Modeling and Talent, Three Kings Productions, Capomaestro Studios, and Envie Lounge.

 

Not a bad price to pay for watching Raddatz become the next Ace Ventura on our very own turf. Re-he-he-he-ally.

 

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33902. For more information, call 239-822-6804.