Local filmmaker, Christopher S. Lombardi of Stratford, recently finished production of his current project The Reluctant Detective. Lombardi is the writer, director, and producer of the film. The film centers around Bennett Stephens, an actor on a highly rated cable crime show, who is roped into solving a real life murder mystery while on vacation with his wife. The film was shot locally around Connecticut, including a couple scenes at the Short Beach Golf Course in Stratford. The film also stars many local actors.
Lombardi first had the idea for The Reluctant Detective while working on a feature with actress Elise Rovinsky. "I thought she had a classic look and that she would be a great wife character in a project. I then came up with the husband and wife storyline, and figured Elise’s natural comic timing would lend to her role." Lombardi worked on the story steadily from 2007 to 2010, and finished the script in May 2010. Later that summer, cameras started to roll. Now that the film has finished up post-production, Lombardi is excited to share final product with the public.
Lombardi attended Western Connecticut State University studying communications with a concentration in Media. He first became interested in filmmaking at the age of 10 when his family got their first video camera. "I started making narrative horror movies, doing editing in the camera as we shot, by hitting ‘stop’ and switching to a different angle and hitting ‘start’ again." This childhood fascination has manifested itself into a real calling for Lombardi who envisions a future for his characters from The Reluctant Detective. "I couldn't be happier with the cast and have so many fond memories. I would love to turn this into a set of movies where Bennett (Bristol Pomeroy), Kelly (Elise Rovinsky), and Fish (Lou D'Amato) solve mysteries."
Look out for more news on The Reluctant Detective, and for more from this promising young filmmaker. You can check out the film's website at http://www.reluctantdetectivemovie.com/ or its facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ReluctantDetectiveMovie
