HAVING enjoyed Brian Geraghty’s performances as a soldier in Jarhead and The Hurt Locker, I was intrigued to see him star in a civilian role in Easier With Practice.

As protagonist Davy Mitchell, Geraghty’s character is a geeky, socially awkward writer struggling to promote his unpublished stories.

The film takes him on a trip with his brother around New Mexico, where he inadvertently begins a phone sex relationship with a secretive woman called Nicole.

Once Davy returns to the monotonous routine of life, his relationships and ambitions become tainted by the intensity of his past experiences with Nicole.

When the calls eventually stop, Davy is left feeling desperate and makes an impulsive decision to meet his mysterious caller.

Director Kyle Patrick Alvarez's intention was to subtley challenge people’s perceptions surrounding intimacy and sexuality.

The film achieves this aim to an extent, but the general feeling is of frustration.

This is due to the film's self-consciousness and also because it is difficult to really emphasise with Davy's problems.

Easier With Practice has an interesting premise and a well-acted central character, but unfortunately it fails to connect with the viewer.

Easier With Practice (15) is out today.