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Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Martin Sheen, Dan Fogler, Judy Greer, dir. Brandon Camp, 2009, Cert. 12 MonkeyScore: 70%
You may think from the title, leads and cover art that Love Happens is a straight up rom-com cynically served in time for Valentine's Day. Yet despite appearances this is hardly the case as 'rom-com' implies 'comedy' which this is not by any stretch. Sweet, moving and romantic - yes, no question there. Funny? Not really. You may smile at times but you're more likely to choke back a few tears than laugh out loud. It's not quite Terms of Endearment, so a basic supply of tissue should suffice, but do not expect Notting Hill or Bridget Jones. Once this minor misconception is cleared, Love Happens does what it does very well indeed. Eckhart excels at playing both the seemingly confident motivational speaker and the broken man that hides just under the surface. Aniston basically plays herself, gorgeous and intelligent but unlucky in love thirty something: it doesn't really stretch her acting abilities but she's just about perfect in the role. The only comic relief comes from the excellent Judy Greer, cast as Eloise's confidante, and Dan Fogler, who plays Burke's agent. A bittersweet treat of a film, perfect for cuddling up to a loved one on a quiet night in. We have 2 copies of the Love Happens DVD for you to win to in our competition this week.
Paper Heart (out 08 February 10, Cert.PG)
Charlyne Yi, Jake Johnson, Michael Cera, dir. Nicholas Jasenovec, 2009, cert. PG MonkeyScore: 65% Young Charlyne (Charlyne Yi) says she does not believe in the concept of love, at least as defined by Hollywood. With director friend Nick (Jake Johnson) she embarks on a road trip across the US to talk to various people, documentary-style, about their experience of love, and starts a relationship with actor Michael Cera. Paper Heart approaches its subject matter with fresh eyes. It features off-the-cuff interviews from people from all walks of life, candidly opening up to comedienne Charlyne. The people picked by the production team are both moving and colourful - and their intimate testimonies are given a tasteful treatment. The decision to have director Nick played by Jake Johnson, however, was questionable: this is no reflection on the actor's ability or the way the part is written - but the very fact that the part is written. The film is about Charlyne and her director friend Nick - scripted and played by an actor - going around the States to shoot a real documentary piece. The addition of the hugely talented Michael Cera to the mix - Charlyne's real-life boyfriend at the time the film was shot - only adds to the confusion. By mixing the real-life characters interviewed by Charlyne about true love and her own fantasy journey of discovery the audience is at times left a bit bewildered. A very cute, if slightly confusing, slice of indie film-making. |
Couples Retreat (out 08 February 10, Cert.12) Vince Vaughn, Kristin Davies, Kristen Bell, Faizon Love, Jason Bateman, Malin Akerman, Jean Reno, dir. Peter Billingsley, 2009, cert. 12
Jason (Jason Bateman) and
Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are close to getting a divorce after failed attempts to get pregnant. They find an exclusive couples therapy retreat but can only afford the group rate. Reluctantly their friends, Dave (Vince
Vaughn) and Ronnie (Malin Akerman), Joey (Jon Favreau) and Lucy
(Kristen Davis), and recently divorced Shane (Faizon Love) and his
girlfriend Trudy (Kali Hawk) agree to come, under the assumption that they can enjoy the idyllic island resort for a week and that therapy sessions are optional.
As it turns out therapist Marcel (Jean Reno) runs a tights ship and no-one shall escape the relationship skills training. Couples Retreat could have been a painful All-American therapy comedy if not for the writing of Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn and Dana Fox. The characters won't get prizes for originality but the ensemble works, ticks along at a good pace and is quite funny. Filmed on the French Polynesia island of Bora-Bora, Couples Retreat will make you yearn for a tropical holiday: the turquoise sea and blue sky may be a bit painful to watch in the current cold snap, but the film is spot on for a bit of sunny fun. The Ugly Truth (out 08 February 10, Cert.15) Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, dir. Robert Luketic, 2009, cert. 15
Abby (Katherine Heigl) plays a romantically challenged TV producer in charge of a declining Sacramento morning chat show. To her horror her boss hires Mike, the host of a controversial dating advice show (Gerard Butler), for a new daily segment devised to raise the ratings. Abby and Mike clash immediately. To prove that his advice his sound, Mike offers to coach Abby so she can land the man of her dreams. The Ugly Truth is one of those rare romantic comedies that manages to get laughs from both sexes, without alienating either. The Gerard Butler character gets away with just about murder with his loveable rogue take on coupledom, while Katherine Heigl is simply hilarious as his slightly clueless pupil. Of course they end up together by the time the credits roll - it's practically a Hollywood romantic comedy legal requirement - but this aside it's fresh and bubbly. Heigl and Butler ooze chemistry, too, making The Ugly Truth quite fun to watch. |
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