I am NOT a movie critic. I also have a hard time with critiquing artistic form. I'm fine with critiquing message, but form, I just don't do it well. All that being said, here are my thoughts on Love Happens.
I'll preface with this advice: Go see it. Bring tissues.
Posts
Love Happens, starring Jennifer Aniston as Eloise, a flower-shop owner, and Aaron Eckhart as Burke, a motivational speaker akin to Tony Robbins, carries this description per reviews: a dark, unconventional romantic comedy. And that's what makes it so refreshing. Romantic comedies, with their predictable plot and perfectly-worded, "I'd-love-for-him/her-to-say-that-to-me" lines, still have a way of sucking me in. I am a diehard romantic for all my skepticism about lasting love. This movie hit me hard because the love connection seemed realistic.
ReplyDeleteOver a short span of days during which Burke hosts an "A-Okay" seminar where he coaches others through grief over a lost loved one, he and Eloise connect in a standard meet-cute that eventually leads to an awkward dinner and interesting dynamic. Their chemistry does not smolder and burn, but it still enticed me to watch in that it echoed real-life dating:our awkwardness, hesitancy, conversations about the mundane that eventually turn into rather significant dialogues about our stories. Most profoundly, it explored love in a more mature, healthy fashion in which love opens us into true healing and self-expression from its grace to accept and encourage. It showed a level of care unlike standard romantic comedies.
The movie figures largely around Burke's character's metamorphosis as he copes with the death of his wife, a plot point revealed in the first 5 minutes of the film. Despite a wildly successful book that offers key strategies for moving forward out of grief, Burke himself stays deeply entrenched in his own well of loss. Burke himself refuses to confront his pain, displacing it onto the grieving, hungry-for-hope groupies that hang on his words. He does not practice what he preaches. Until Eloise pushes him into it headlong. It is his journey towards letting go done with both humorous and tears-streaming-down-your-face moments that touches you.
I'm still unpacking the movie's many layers. Though taken by it visually, it is the story that lingers. Maybe it was the depth of the plot, void of unnecessary sex scenes or rushing headlong into lust, but instead enjoying the revelation of another to you;maybe it was the acknowledgement that, as we age, we become multi-layered, those very layers that can be our undoing or our strength or both; maybe it was the reminder that we can help ourselves by helping others; maybe it was the vulnerability of the characters as they really tried to see each other clearly without pretense;maybe it was the promise of stable, mature love even in life's aftermath.
My wonderful Triple:
ReplyDeleteYou SHOULD be a movie critic! I thoroughly enjoyed reading that and now I am going to have to make time to see this movie.
True, we are sputtering along but we are not gone. I wonder if some of our peripheral members can still see us? If not, then should we have stayed public, thereby ensuring greater participation? Just a question I'm throwing out there. I'm not sure of the answer myself.
Certainly, it makes sense for the Writers' Group to be private.
Still, I miss the days of those latenight postings on the Bach board and of the intelligent discussion generated by those whose names are on this RP blog.
I also miss the leisure I seemed to have during those lazy summer days and warm summer nights.
Hug to you,
M.
Dear Leen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely review! It totally gives me the feel I need for what the movie's themes are and how they play out. A good review in my opinion gives you a feel for the movie without letting anything out of the bag. That way the reader can judge for themselves whether they think they would enjoy the entertainment.
After all, just critiquing the plot only lets us know if the critic likes the plot. Since the very same plot could turn into a hundred different movies, we need to know how the plot is handled, rather than everything included.
Jennifer Aniston, like Sandra Bullock has gone on record to say that she is having an almost impossible time finding movies to make...they hate the simplistic, formulaic romcom's Hollywood wants to make and are dying for good, meaty, mature romcom's like back in the Golden age. Each time I read something like that I turn to Jim and tell him, "They're calling for you, dear." I am happy to say he is hard at work on some new awesome ideas with strong female roles :-)
Jennifer seems happy with this one...and I had planned to see it anyway...but now we will rush to the theater as soon as we can. :-)
On a personal note, I apologize for my scarcity. My daughter had to be gotten ready for college...shopping, dinners, financial aid processing, arguments with grandmother about her "shoulds and shoud nots"...you get the drift; exhausting!
But, my daughter moved in yesterday; I got back from her university at 10 last night...and here I am, back with my dear friends. :-) I have missed all of you terribly. But now I look forward to a fall a little more regular in routine. By the way...the blog is CLOSED.
Hugs,
Nadya
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI too apologize for being MIA. I am currently doing my bosses job, and my own, in addition to starting back up at school and having done a few last weekends away. But I missed you all and you were in my thoughts! I hope everyone is doing well? Leen, I may see this movie thanks to you. I dislike Jennifer Aniston. I tend to dislike people that I think have borderline eating disorders. i can't really explain it but I get that feeling from her. I liked her weight/shape at the beginning of friends when she was a little more curvy. Since then it seems she is obsessive. (Also why I have never warmed to Carrie Underwood). So that is my two cents about Jennifer Aniston, but now I am curious about the movie. And I always like to hear what you like because we are just about the same person! :)
How was the rest of your summer? Any luck with Medic 4? I am desperately sending thought waves to a man that I work with (well sort of, not in my department or group at all, just associated with us) at MIT... no luck so far... If I can get him to go out with me you will see a sudden shift to a very Reid-like attitude from me. I may shovel out the cynicism and move in some belief in romance. I feel like the timing is good for this.
PS Nadya - I hope your daughter truly enjoys college! I would go back in a heartbeat. The best time of my life for sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Nadya:
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you. I've missed you. Our daughters are both embarking on a beginning: yours to college and mine to high school (junior and senior are all one school).
Hope to hear from you more. I have been crazy busy but now am finding a sort of rhythm, which allows me to come here from time to time. It's so relaxing - like a comfortable visit with good friends.
Koala Heidi:
How wonderful to see your post! I shall be sending good thoughts on your behalf, in hopes that Mr. Wonderful at MIT sees what a catch you are.
Jennifer Aniston is not my absolute favourite but I have enjoyed some of her work. I look forward to seeing this movie, since Leen has piqued my curiosity.
Hugs all 'round, everyone!
M.
P.S. College was also some of the best years of my life....
Hi Back to Marianna and Heidi!
ReplyDeleteI knew that everyone was busy trying to cope with new things pulling on us and demanding our time. It really is sooo very different in the summer, isn't it? Even if one works year 'round, the summer is much more relaxed; there just is more time for friends.
But I think we'll all find our way back here on a more regular basis as we get into a more familiar routine. I would love to be online late at night dear M, but my little flat during the week has no internet connection. Right now I am sitting in my favorite part of San Jose, a "downtown" area built from the ground up to resemble the boulevards of Paris...exclusive shops and restaurants street level and exclusive apartments and condos above that to the 4th floor. There is an open air "island" running down the middle of the blvd. filled with deep cushy seating, tables, wine bars, live jazz, a giant chessboard, multiple game tables with spot lighting, fountains, and free wireless.
I'm in heaven (especially with my warm apricot/almond creme tart) keeping company, at last with you guys.
Heidi--Thanks for the good wishes for my daughter...she is ultra excited...and just may be looking you up one of these days...she's majoring in Molecular Biology. And just finished interning at the Multple Sclerosis Research labs at Stanford U Hosp, for the summer. She LOVED it, so I guess she is set, at least in a general way, in how she wants to orient her studies and career.
I'll be back tomorrow with more...weekends are going to be my friend again...adding my 2 cents to the richness shared here. :-)
Oh, Nadya, I'd love to be able to stay awake past about 10 p.m. these days! Getting up at 5:30 a.m. every weekday certainly kills the creative juices which used to flow well past the bewitching hour of midnight! Now, it's drooping eyelids and the head sinking gratefully into a soft pillow...
ReplyDeleteOh and that cafe sounds wonderful! From Jim's piece, I sort of got the idea that San Jose was not such a lovely place as you describe....
M.
Oh my dear dear RP friends - I apologize for being MIA. My personal computer time is limited and I admit that I spend what spare time I have over on my blog and very little elsewhere. I check in and see no comments so I gentley close the door - next time I looked there are 19 comments and I just don't have the time to look at them all and I WANT TO so badly. Today is our one spare day before leaving for Arizona in two weeks. I will do my best later to catch up but just know I am here and wanting desperately to read and ingest every single word.
ReplyDeleteLike Marianna I am also up at 5:30am and just get home by 5pm my day is very physical so I am wiped.
Ahh for the short dark days of winter and time here.
Joanne
Leen, you have convinced me to go out and see "Love Happens" as soon as possible. I fully agree with others here that you are an excellent movie critic. This is not to say that I am certain to have the same reaction to this movie that you had (although I think I will). Rather, your take gives me insight into the character of the movie itself and how I am likely to respond to it. Nadya's definition of the ideal critic is the best I've heard: a good critic is not the one you agree with, it's the one who can reveal what sorts of audiences will like or dislike something and why, regardless of how the critic felt about it. You achieved this ideal in your review.
ReplyDeleteYour description of how their relationship develops and matures is as enticing as the scenes themselves. Your description of Burke's struggle with the loss of his wife lets us share in that struggle. Your description of the potential to emerge from that struggle with new love gives us hope. I want to see this movie and then reread your review to make sense of what I experienced.
I understand this movie to represent characters who could be real, enduring real difficulties and experiencing real emotions. The conflicts and resolutions are not contrived as they are in most romantic comedies. More to the point, we are made to care about these characters as people.
Many movies are intended as escapism. We don't personally identify with the characters or their plights. These movies allow us to forget about ourselves and our troubles for two hours. Whatever their entertainment value, we do not come away thinking about greater issues.
I believe that some movies that many critics revere abuse the audience. We don't care about the principals. We feel their pain because we are directly subjected to it, often brutally or repeatedly. These movies manipulate our emotions without the release of hope. Critics rave about these films because they are "realistic". Why can't pain coexist with hope? Is their collective reality truly so hopeless?
I believe that a good romantic comedy combines a measure of escapism with situations and principal characters that the audience genuinely cares about. A great romantic comedy leaves the audience with both a warm feeling and an aching to have and experience more in life.
As you can tell, I'm not fond of movie critics on the whole. I see their job as striving to entertain rather than to enlighten. They seem to take more pleasure in a review of a really bad movie/performance/book than a really good one. The movie "Ratatouille" has a compelling message about such critics.
Leen, should you ever feel a passion to become a movie critic, I shall always be your a faithful reader.
Papa Jim
My loves,
ReplyDeleteI.am.thrilled!!!! to hear from everyone. Yesterday felt like a reunion as several of the personalities and perspectives I've grown to enjoy popped their heads out to say, "How's it going?" Rock.stars.
I can't wait for you to view the film and then compare your impressions against mine. Though the movie does contain some of the necessary cheesy hallmarks of romcoms, the added dimension of depth makes it worthwhile, I think. I await your response.
Some shout-outs:
M, how I miss our late night chats! Many a night was made brighter by our exchanges. I do hope that you can relax into a more leisurely or manageable pace as the school-year unfolds. Annnnddd, so excited for your daughter. High school was a great time in my life.
Nads,I've also missed your additions and insights. So, glad your girl is tucked into college and seemingly well on her way to success. Awesome.
Joanne, get back to us when you can. We love to hear from you. Give a big "hello" to Arizona for me. I LOVE that state.
Papa Jim, ever the encourager. I especially look forward to your opinion on this film given your background. In spite of the country's dire straits, I noticed that this film and 500 Days of Summer have somewhat redefined romcoms by departing from total escapism. You, the audience member, are very much in the experience. But, since movies do allow the fanciful, an audience member still is satisfied by the resolution of things whether the couple makes it or breaks up. The audience accepts it if the plot's developed in such a way that mirrors life. That's just my POV.
And, last but never least, Heidi! Girl, I miss you bunches. I understand the grievances, but I give Jen a large stretch of slack given what she's endured. In spite of a very public betrayal, she's managed to emerge generally intact and a bit funnier, a bit more self-deprecating, and from interviews, still very much interested in another person's viewpoint. With Hollywood types, I dismiss the whole weight issue; most of them have disordered eating. I try instead to draw attention to the women who have more everyday woman figures, like Kate Winslet (love. her).
In the film, you will note a scene that was probably very cathartic for Jen to perform. I'll just say it's in a bathroom. :)
And, this new fella, exciting, K! I thought for a minute you were gonna tell us about Jesse! Let him do the work. And fill me in on the details (I need your email or I'll facebook message you...it'd be nice to have a regular line of communique).
My own love life, by my own doing, is nice and quiet. Currently, most of the hospital staff are guys; as a group we spend a good deal of time together, if not working 12 hours side-by-side than at social events like laser tag or ice-cream socials. They're all very funny and smart; I enjoy their friendship, but I'm not interested in anything other than what we currently have even if they are. And, ya know, I don't know where the hell Medic 4 went!!!! I told Nash; he was like a shooting star. That can happen with medics, regular turn over, reassignment to another rig. Whatever.
I just want Reid. Period. ;)
Ok, I hope everyone enjoys Love Happens. I hope love is happening to you everyday.
Sawyer says "hi, but Mom, can we please go for a walk?" I can't say no to his adorable face.
Til tomorrow,
Leeny Lou :)
Leeny Lou,
ReplyDeleteI agree -- nice litte reunion. Warms the heart. You guys are all top-notch. How wild would it be if we all lived in the same town?! I can see it now -- monthly dinners of the Reidster/Muser club, wonderful conversation spilling late into the night...
At least we have here....
You mention Kate Winslet. I finally got around to watching The Reader (which I had on my DVR for several months). Love KW and Ralph Fiennes has always turned my crank -- big time. (Even though he is not anything near my usual Latin type of ideal man). Well, it being Saturday, I watched late into the night, all by myself (hubby usually turns in early), weeping hot, silent tears into the darkness. What a great film. Has anyone seen it?
Physical chemistry is funny. Who knows, one of these smart, funny people you eat ice-cream with and play laser tag with may just become someone you're attracted to. Or not. Hard to say. Sometimes friendship first, then passion. Sometimes passion but frienship impossible. Sometimes friendship alone, no passion -- ever. Maybe, if it's meant to be, Medic 4 will stroll back into your world. I'm not even shutting the door on Reid. Life is unpredictable.
All I can say is... he's going to be one lucky guy. Girls like you don't come along every day. This I know for sure.
M.
I LOVED THE READER, M!!! I've got chills just thinking about it. What an amazing portrayal of the most troubled of souls. My heart literally ached for the characters in this film. KW was extraordinary as always and I was particularly moved by young Michael. WOW.
ReplyDeleteLeeny-Lou, we'll have to add movie critic to your long list of exemplary talents. I will let you know what I think once I've had a chance to see Love Happens.
It's like old home week on this thread! I miss you guys!!
Remmi xo
M, while I'm thinking of it, another movie that I saw last year which I highly recommend is a French film called "I've Loved You So Long" starring Kristin Scott Thomas. Similiar to The Reader in that both lead characters were extremely tortured due to situations beyond their control. Kristin was completely overlooked during award season but her performance was Oscar worthy in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteNight!
Remmi! You're here! Yay.... :)
ReplyDeleteYes, The Reader was one of those excellent, haunting films which will stay with me for a long, long time.
I must look for "I've Loved You So Long" on DVD. Why is KST doing a French film? Does she speak French in it?
I'm so glad you're back with us. I've been missing you lots...
Upon your advice, I joined PattiSmatti's Reid blog but have only posted once there...
I'm sure we'll all be back at the bach board once the new season arrives. Does anyone know yet whom they have picked as the new bachelor?
Hope life is treating you well in Ottawa.
Hugs,
M.
Shout out to you Joanne!
ReplyDeleteMiss you too and hope you're having a fabulous time in Arizona!
Hope it's not too hot....
Our west coast certainly seems to be enjoying an Indian summer!
Looking forward to hearing about your holiday...
M.
Leen Happens (the title of your new critic page by the way... just saying..) LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! I've missed you all SOOO much! I too love Kate Winslet, and you know I never thought about it but you are probably right, everyone in Hollywood has an E.D.... Because of you I will give Jen another shot. She certainly has kept her composure when other stars turned to drugs and alcohol so I will give her major props for that.
I have not seen the Reader. I will check it out. Talking about French Films the French movie with the girl from Amelie called 'Priceless' is one of the BEST Romcom I have ever seen! It is so different and sweet and cute! And on top of that there is a French bulldog in the film (like my pup) so the film MUST be good!
My email is heidim@mit.edu and illyria516@aol.com. Since this is now private I can share! I don't mind anyone here emailing me at anytime. In fact I'd love it! Jim has FB emailed me before and it was great to be able to catch up with him via that medium.
How bad is it that I was thinking about the Bachelorette on my way in to work today? I was thinking about poor Jake being totally picked on by the others during the MTA episode. I was thinking, if I were Jillian and I was there I would have stormed out on stage DeAnna style and told Sasha that I do not tolerate people being picked on and that it was obviously the reason you were bussed hom... he obviously had no class. I just keep thinking about everyone attacking Jake so unnecessarily. And Jake wasn't my favorite. I don't know, I was just thinking how much fun it would be to be a bachelorette and how ABC would have a crazy time trying to edit my truth. My luck though, they'd populate my season with Wes's and Ed's. Hey if I wanted that I would date in real life! Ed's are everywhere! (Wickham's.)
M and Rem,
ReplyDeleteI second The Reader love. With Sawyer sleeping on the couch at my feet, cloaked in night's blackness, the movie's images danced on the wall as drops lay tracks on my cheeks. I remember poetic words pulling together in my mind. It wrote on me as I read the scenes' reflections on loving the person not the deeds. Terribly difficult. Perhaps we'll do a little post just on The Reader, so those who've not seen it won't be spoiled by our discussion. Another well made flick.
Winslet mesmerizes me with how her face betrays her every emotion.
Remmi, come around more often. I love your input.
And, Nashy, get your butt on this blog. We miss your adorable self. Got it? Good ;)
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ReplyDeleteM - KST spoke French flawlessly in the film. It's actual title is "Il y a longtemps que je t'aime". To those who don't mind sub-titles, I highly recommend it. To those fluent in French like you, pas de probleme :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, on the BB today someone has suggested that the announcement for the next Bachelor will finally be made public during the Oct 13 episode of DWTS. TPTB have certainly kept the lid on this one.
H - Thanks for the recommedation on "Priceless". I will definitely check it out. I love a good film no matter the genre (except horror) or language. A little secret about me: I have seen 49 of the 50 top chick flicks of all time. For that reason, I will never watch the Joy Luck Club :)
L - GOOSEBUMPS....after reading your words on your experience watching the Reader....WOW!
To all - my email is kimpeckitt@sympatico.ca. I also have the remmikon@gmail.com email but I rarely check that one. I created it in order to join this blog!
K!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSigh. Finally, a block of days off, like 5 days. I plan on using them wisely, but also losing myself in blog catch-up and necessary correspondence. :)
My heart goes out to women who are victims of adultery, like Jen. Which is why I'm disturbed by my limited compassion towards Jill. I guess, I'm compassionate up to the point of truth, when the woman's filled in on the guy's dalliances. Then, I just expect her to walk away from him. And, so to Jen. Sure, Angelina's done good things for international children, but I do think that she and Brad developed their relationship before the end of Jen and him. So, that's just horrid. I try to keep my distance from tabloids, but I did read Jen's Vanity Fair article written very soon after their divorce. She just seemed to handle it with grace, despite being heartbroken. Now, has she somewhat invited heartbreak on herself with recent love choices? Sure. But I wonder if she chooses these non-committal types either cuz she really doesn't want to commit to anyone again out of fear of being devastated or if she thinks she can change them. Whatevs. Either way, I tend to support her. Jill, well, I just don't understand what she's doing right now.
I will be checking out Priceless, for sure.
And, your reaction to the Jake Abuse 2009 just shows your kindness, K. The dudes were jerks. I think Jill was less gracious to Jake then she was to Juan whom she addressed about Dave's bullying probs cuz she too was irritated by Jake's acting. As some of my recent reflections on the show indicate, I just don't trust that any of this show is accurate or un-edited or un-scripted. From MTA audience members, they were filming that show for 8-10 hours. We saw maybe 30 full minutes of the guys' interactions. I just feel like, sure, from watching the show, the guys' probably became mighty irritated with Jake, but it was encouraged that they interact dramatically. Also, from post show photos, Juan and Dave do not seem to be at odds. They seem at ease with each other during all the guys' reunion events. But didn't they despise each other? :) I'm really thinking that these guys were recruited then placed in a role and edited to accentuate said role/dynamic.
So, no Bachelorette for you, K. Nope. Unless they do a double Bachelorette in which you and I can consult with and for each other. That's it. But, I feel like I'd be fighting with Fleiss daily about his philosophy and motivations and would care not to make a love connection. The FRC would be like,
Fleiss: Leen, who are your choices?
Me: Seriously???? I talked to them for, like, 5 minutes. As far as I'm concerned, I'm Heidi's consultant. I never believed I could find love on here anyway.
Fleiss: You're being paid to find love.
Me: Look at your track record, Mister. Then let's talk dollars. :0
See, it'd be priceless, and K, you'd end up with a rock-solid guy.
Hugs,
Leen
P.S. Thanks for the blog name. I.LOVE.IT.
Reposted my comment sans email address since we're public again. :)
ReplyDelete