Finding Madison is the story of a recent art school graduate turned struggling artist - and not just struggling with art. Madison's inner confusion is reflected in her art, causing one critic to cite "a lack of focus." She lives off ramen, M&M's and coffee while working at a cafe and taking support checks from her fiance (played by a smouldering Eric Steinberg). When her fiance abruptly breaks off their engagement, Madison is left floundering and looking for a warm body to get her through the suddenly cold nights. In comes Rain (played by charismatic Roger Fan), who comes to comfort Madison, but not in the way she expects.

As both writer and star, Kelly Miyashiro both succeeds and fails as the title character. Her speaking voice is both grating and monotone, but, in her physical movements, Miyashiro succeeds at exuding a withdrawn melancholy that reflects her character's confusion. The other actors are much more natural - especially Roger Fan - and they keep the film from falling flat. Life realization stories are difficult - so much relies on the quality of the dialogue and plot to convey to the audience what the film is all about. In the end, Finding Madison is like its main character; it has potential, but lacks focus and depth. Perhaps it works better as an analysis of its writer, than as a musing about the search for meaning in life.