This is the story about the break-up of a long-term relationship. This comes as a surprise to one of them, as he had been completely happy and completely in love. Following this, he becomes very depressed. Ultimately, however, he obtains a life coach (George Takei) and slowly works towards accepting this loss and getting on with his life. And then,...the unexpected occurs.

"Hopeful Romantic" is a non-conventional film in many, many ways. There is no dialog in the short--just singing. And, in many ways the short plays a lot like a story and a music video merged into one. While this is unusual what is really unusual is that the story is also a romance....a gay romance. While this might turn off some viewers, I was shocked how much I loved the film. I'm sure I'm not gay but whether you are or aren't doesn't seem to matter in the least. It is amazing from start to finish for a variety of reasons. The leading man, Matt Zarley, is simply amazing. He has a fantastic voice--one you certainly cannot help but admire. As he sings throughout the entire short and he has a gorgeous voice, the film already has a huge plus going for it. Zarley also, incidentally, wrote the story. Additionally, Benjamin Pollack's direction is impeccable....and the montages, acting and music all work perfectly together...perfectly. Overall, it's a film that can't help but touch you and I found my eyes tearing up again and again through this uplifting and very romantic film. A truly wonderful short film.

The musical genre features stories that combine music, singing, dancing, acting, and often spoken dialogue to tell a story or convey a narrative. Musicals incorporate various elements of drama, music, and choreography to create a cohesive theatrical experience that engages audiences on multiple levels.

Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

One man's emotional journey through love, heartbreak, and healing.

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Chuck Saculla and Matt Zarley in Hopeful Romantic (2015)

George Takei and Matt Zarley in Hopeful Romantic (2015)

Jolie Jenkins and Matt Zarley in Hopeful Romantic (2015)

Hopeful Romantic

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