101 Ways (The Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo) (2000)

101 Ways (The Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo) Poster

101 Ways (the things a girl will do to keep her Volvo) chronicles the epic adventures of Watson (Wendy Hoopes), a struggling young writer who moves to the quiet suburbs to write her first novel. A New York City native, Watson isn't much of a driver, and her over-protective mother forces her to buy a car she can't afford - a brand new Volvo. Watson falls in love with the car, but real life quickly catches up to her in the form of the repo man when she falls behind on her monthly payments. To avoid losing her beloved wheels, Watson tries her hand at two of the oldest professions: waiting tables and phone sex. At the same time, her meddling best friend (Jamie Harrold), convinces Watson to ignite her stagnant love life by pursuing a sexually-phobic pilot (Gabriel Macht) and an aloof supermarket cashier (Glenn Fitzgerald). The result is a refreshing comedy packed with star cast performances and an overriding moral: life's long and winding road has as many speed bumps as straightaways.

Movie Introduction
"101 Ways (The Important Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo)" is an American romantic funny directed by Jennifer B. Katz and released in 2000. The movie includes leading woman Kat, played by Wendie Malick, grappling with a medley of romantic and monetary predicaments primarily involving her cherished Volvo.

Plot Summary
The story officially starts with Kat's breakup with her partner of five years, leaving her heartbroken and economically susceptible as her ex-boyfriend was bankrolling her life's expenditures, including her car's home mortgage payments. Kat's love for her car is profound, provided as it was a meaningful gift from her late daddy, making it the one precious connection she has entrusted him. Hence, the core of the story revolves around her attempts to retain ownership of this prized possession.

In her mission to make her automobile payments and keep her cherished Volvo, Kat creates amusing and non-traditional strategies. This pursuit presents the protagonist to a number of comical characters and circumstances that further highlight the humour in the narrative. Concurrently, the plot explores her journey of finding a replacement for her ex-boyfriend.

Characters and Performances
Wendie Malick uses a vibrant and vibrant portrayal of Kat, her comical timing impressing the audience, and her character's circumstances provoking compassion. The other cast members, consisting of the collection of eccentrics Kat comes across during her plan execution, contribute excellently to the hilarity of the movie. Besides Malick, the stand-out efficiencies come from Gabriel Macht, who plays 'Guy', one of Kat's possible suitors, and Jack Kehler, who provides an eccentrically comical efficiency as Fred, the house device store owner who hires Kat in her quest for financial stability.

Slice-of-Life Romance with a Twist
The film provides a distinct take on the typical romantic funny. It is embedded with slice-of-life experiences that numerous can relate to - the battle of keeping financial security, the challenge of carrying on from a long-lasting relationship, and the accessory to emotional belongings. The vehicle, a metaphor for Kat's battle, tasks a distinct narrative gadget, linking romance and comedy in a various context. Furthermore, Kat's journey diverges from generic rom-com plots through the expedition of numerous possible partners, each illustrating different functions instead of portraying a particular, idealized lover.

Important Reception and Legacy
"101 Ways (The Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo)" artistically flips the standard gender focus seen in a lot of movies of its time, as it focuses around Kat, an independent woman trying to overcome her expert and individual obstacles. This unique narrative paired with amusing components has earned it a cult following from movie lovers and critics alike. Nevertheless, the movie remains mainly underrated and neglected, which can be credited to the lack of enormous star power.

In general, "101 Ways" is an empowering yet heartwarming narrative that originates raw feeling, which typically leads to amusing circumstances, making it an outright pleasure to enjoy. It contrasts the regular romantic comedy genre with a revitalizing story and fantastic execution. Although its 90-minute runtime, it handles to impart impressive representation of strong female lead, attending to problems like monetary independence, durability, and the nerve to endeavor into the unidentified, perfectly wrapped in comedy and love.

Top Cast

  • Wendy Hoopes (small)
    Wendy Hoopes
    Watson
  • Glenn Fitzgerald (small)
    Glenn Fitzgerald
    Jack
  • Jamie Harrold (small)
    Jamie Harrold
    Ian
  • Gabriel Macht (small)
    Gabriel Macht
    Dirk
  • Jayce Bartok (small)
    Jayce Bartok
    Hank
  • P.J. Brown
    Curt