Accompanied by his younger brother Sean (Kel O’Neill), writer Davey Mitchell (Brian Geraghty, also to be seen in the The Hurt Locker, p78), embarks upon a promotional tour publicising his new, unpublished book. Alone in their motel room one night, Davey receives a seemingly random call from a total stranger that results in a sexual encounter over the phone. From this bizarre erotic experience, a strange, anonymous, yet meaningful, relationship begins to blossom … but where will it end? Easier With Practice was inspired by an autobiographical article in GQ magazine called What are You Wearing? by author Davy Rothbart, creator of the fascinating Found Magazine. Kyle Patrick Alvarez – one time personal assistant to Warren Beatty – resigned from his job to become a filmmaker and set about adapting Rothbart’s story for his debut feature, producing the first draft of the script in less than a month. After 18 months of fundraising, and having already created a popular website for the film, Alvarez began the casting process. Auditioning more than 200 actors for the all important lead role of a character who is in almost every scene, he finally settled on the exceptional Geraghty, having been impressed by his work in Sam Mendes’ Jarhead. It was an inspired choice. Geraghty skilfully negotiates lengthy shots, playing the only side of the central telephone conversations we are ever privy to. He brings a gentle, endearing vulnerability to his sexually and emotionally insecure character, that – with notable support from O’Neill, Marguerite Moreau and Kathryn Aselton – proves both extraordinarily touching and compelling. Shot on the state of the art Red One – an economical digital camera with the capability to record large amounts of material straight to hard drive – over 20 days in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Easier with Practice is a stunning debut from Alvarez. In concealing the film's pivotal secret while simultaneously developing an intimate and provocative study of sex, love and loneliness over the phone, he maintains a tantalising uncertainty until the very last sincerely dramatic moment.