"The Dating Project" is a documentary film about the current state of dating and relationships among young adults in America. The movie follows the journey of five single people trying to navigate the complexities of dating in the modern world. The film features Kerry Cronin, a philosophy professor at Boston College, who has been challenging her students to go on a date as a class assignment for the past decade. The students are not allowed to use any form of social media or technology during the date, and they have to ask the person out in person.
Cronin believes that this old-fashioned approach to dating is the key to forming meaningful connections, and she encourages her students to put themselves out there in order to find love. Throughout the movie, she offers insights and guidance to the five individuals who are struggling to find love in the 21st century.
The first person featured is Shanzi, a young woman who has struggled with relationships in the past. She believes that she is too busy to date and has never made it a priority. However, with the help of Cronin, she decides to take the plunge and go on a date with a man she meets through a dating app.
Next up is Chris, a 20-something who has never been in a serious relationship. He admits to being intimidated by the idea of commitment, but he decides to give dating a shot with the help of Cronin. Throughout his journey, he learns about the importance of vulnerability and honesty in a relationship.
Rasheeda is a successful businesswoman who has been single for six years. She is frustrated with the dating scene and the difficulty of finding a partner who shares her values. With the help of Cronin, she starts to explore what she truly wants in a relationship and how to communicate those needs to potential partners.
Matt is a handsome and confident young man who has no problem finding dates, but he struggles to make genuine connections. After going on a few dates, he realizes that he has been too focused on superficial qualities and needs to look deeper in order to find a meaningful relationship.
Finally, there is Cecilia, a devout Catholic who has decided to save sex for marriage. She is finding it difficult to find a partner who shares her values and beliefs, but with the help of Cronin, she starts to explore different avenues for meeting like-minded individuals.
"The Dating Project" is an insightful and thought-provoking look at the challenges of dating in the modern world. It offers hope to those who are struggling to find love and encourages them to take a step back from technology and social media to truly connect with another person. The film is a refreshing reminder that true love is still possible, even in a world where swiping right is the norm.
The Dating Project is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.