Written and Directed by Edward Burns Running Time: 1:34 Rated R for language and some sexual references. B

Looking for Kitty was a small yet sweet film that uses New York City as a central character.

Abe is a high school baseball coach in upstate New York. He comes into Manhattan looking for his wife, Kitty, who walked out on him for reasons he can't understand. Abe hires a local private investigator named Jack to help track Kitty down. Jack has his own problems, as his wife recently passed away and he's doing everything he can to just ignore the problem. Needing the money, Jack takes the case not really sure if he can help Abe, but knowing he has to try.

Looking for Kitty was written and directed by Edward Burns, who also stars as Jack. Burns flew onto the indie scene years ago with The Brothers McMullen, but over the last few years has sort of faded away. Looking for Kitty brings him back to the promise he showed when he first debuted. The movie is small and features a lot of conversation, but the banter between Abe and Jack feels real. No one knows how they would react if they were in Abe's situation, and his need to find out what happened is true and honest. He could just forget Kitty and move on, especially since in his heart he knows that's what he has to do. But he also needs to know why, even if they can't work it out. David Krumholtz, who plays Abe, looks just a little too young for my liking, but you feel for him throughout the film.

Abe is a simple guy. He probably has a small house with a small yard out back. He overachieved when it came to getting married, finding someone much more attractive than he is. He loves his baseball and helping his high school kids. And I think he knows he got lucky when he got married, but he also knows that his life isn't nearly exciting enough for Kitty. But when she leaves, it still comes as a big shock and he feels like he has to do anything he can to win her back.

Jack is someone who keeps everything bottled up inside. He's got his routines and he doesn't want to break out of them for any reason. He loved his wife, and now that she's gone, he's gotten lost inside his own head. When Abe comes around, Jack sees himself in Abe. Someone who loves his wife so dearly that he'd do anything to get her back. Only, Jack can't bring his wife back, so he tries to help Abe out. Jack knows immediately why Kitty left, and initially tries to get Abe to back off and just go back home. But as the movie goes on and the two men start to bond and open up, Jack realizes that if he were in Abe's situation, he'd do the same thing.

The movie hinges on the two lead actors. If you like them, you'll like the film. I enjoyed both actors because they seemed very down to earth, and the dialogue between them didn't feel forced. I also liked the fact that this was a New York movie through and through. The city became a major third character that the two played off of. Whether it was a loft in Soho or a hotel in Times Square, you felt like you were part of the city. I guess it helps if you have lived in the city but I enjoyed seeing all the neighborhoods I've visited show up on screen. And none of it was used to shout out to the audience 'Hey, we're in New York! Look at the Statue of Liberty!' Instead, it was used as a place where people can find and lose dreams in an instant, but knowing that in New York, you always have a chance to succeed.

So overall, I enjoyed Looking for Kitty. It's a small, indie film with a lot of heart.

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