'40 Days of Dating' Is the Latest Internet Project to Be Co-opted by Hollywood
An Internet project that seems tailor made to be turned into a romantic comedy may actually become one.
.An Internet project that seems tailor made to be turned into a romantic comedy may actually become one. Jessica Walsh and Timothy Goodman—who created the popular site "40 Days of Dating"—have signed with CAA, The Wrap's Jeff Sneider reports.
Walsh and Goodman were two friends with differing relationship problems who decided, as something of an experiment, to date each other for 40 days and record their experiences. The site, which has been updating Monday through Friday starting July 10, chronicles each day of their project via a questionnaire that they filled out. The two learn about one another, fight, deal with health problems, have sex.
In the about section of the site they write: "It’s been said that it takes 40 days to change a bad habit. In an attempt to explore and hopefully overcome their fears and inadequacies, Tim and Jessica will go through the motions of a relationship for the next 40 days: the commitment, time, companionship, joys and frustrations. " The two also set rules for themselves which include that they will go on at least three dates a week and see a couples therapist.
The site happens to also be beautifully executed. It helps that both of the participants are designers and have friends who are artists. (Both Jessica and Tim also happen to look like indie movie stars already—Jessica a combo between Zooey Deschanel and Aubrey Plaza—so that helps up the Hollywood factor too.)
The aesthetics have paid off. The word "obsessed" tends to come up on on Twitter when the project is mentioned, and cultishly beloved actress Kristen Bell has revealed herself to be a fan. What ends up being so engaging about the project is that readers start to actually wonder what will happen to Jessica and Tim—who completed the project back in the Spring (though they've only updated the site to day 35 and will finish chronicling the 40 days on August 22)—as if they were characters in a movie or novel. It helps that the conceit also echoes some already established romantic comedy tropes involving friends who then become lovers. (See: When Harry Met Sally and the sort of indistinguishable Friends with Benefits and No Strings Attached. Actually, maybe don't see those.) We'll see if, and how, their story translates and how it ends.