Type A vs. Gotta Split

Are you tired of romantic comedies that make dating look too easy and relationships too rosy? Have you ever moved in with someone for all the wrong reasons? If so, Jameel Saleem is bringing a new un-romantic comedy, Exit Strategy, to theaters Friday just for you.

Actor-screenwriter Saleem, 30, is a Philadelphia native who developed this offbeat screenplay from his popular Web series of the same title. He hopes his fan base on the Web will create buzz to help boost his film.

The low-budget, independent Exit Strategy is also the feature debut for director Michael Whitton. The movie, premiering locally in Cherry Hill and Franklin Mills, has a cast that includes local comedian and actor Kevin Hart, who makes a cameo appearance with Los Angeles radio personality Big Boy from Plus Power 106FM. Big Boy was executive producer and his Ida's Son Productions helped finance the film, which cost less than $100,000, in association with Ask Around Productions.

When the movie opens, James (Saleem), manager of a collectibles and thrift store, is newly homeless, just evicted from his apartment. Desperate for a place to stay, he moves in with his pretty but quirky type-A girlfriend, Kim (Kimelia Weathers). She's an annoying neat freak who housecleans on Sundays, won't let James sleep late on weekends, and refuses to install his flat-screen television in the bedroom because it clashes with her pink decor. Not only are her rules for domestic engagement unbearably grating, but eventually she won't accept the truth: James really wants to break up with her.

Screenwriter Saleem says his passion for filmmaking came from growing up with parents who were big movie buffs. "My mother took me to the movies every Sunday. That was our ritual. I've been watching movies ever since I can remember," Saleem said during a phone interview.

Having seen and enjoyed Woody Allen's now-classic comedy Sleeper when he was 9 years old, Saleem cites Allen as his favorite director and Annie Hall as one of his favorite neurotic-city-dweller rom-coms.

In 2007, Saleem created Exit Strategy, a deadpan comedy series on the Web, and the serial developed a loyal following. Over three years, seven chapters were shot. "It was really popular online, and many friends asked when we were going to do another episode."