Movie review - Like Crazy (2011)

Last night I decided it was finally time for Like Crazy - as it was already waiting in my DVD shelf forever. Not that it had no appealing title nor that I was thinking of it having a bad story line or something, no, the simple reason why I postponed this one was,

that I knew it might have no happy ending.

But first things first:

[Maybe you want to play the piano theme, you find it here. Love it]

Read the plot here.

The two protagonists were absolutely stunning. Anton Yelchin, known from Star Trek (maybe, I cannot tell)was playing  Jacob and did a spectacular job. Reminding me a lot of young Colin Firth, which might have to do of the part he was playing, (ok, his curly hair is also quite remarkable). He was characterized a design student, already having his own company in LA. What stroke me most was his ability to play a manly man, but playing it the sensitive and utterly dedicated guy- way, deeply committed to his girlfriend being all serious even though things get rough and though.

His female counterpart, Anna was played by Felicity Jones (she was playing in Brideshead revisited, but basically "like crazy" was her break through in international film)and did a convincing job. Their emotions for each other were visible throughout the movie, positive affections, as well as feelings of disharmony, jealousy or growing apart from each other. 

There was one very significant scene, when Jacob came over to London, to see Anna, and they went out, she only chatting and celebrating with her girlfriends. He was in the bars with her, feeling like an outsider, completely not sure of himself, feeling detached from her, the situation.

The genre was "romantic drama" and I believe this could perhaps not be done much better.

Creating an atmosphere, intimacy and leading us through a whole process of the magic of falling in love, moments before the first kiss, all the excitement of newly being one item. What would usually follow would be that life turns "normal", defined by routines so that affection and connectedness of two characters can turn into something which has grown and turned into something lasting. However, since this element of normal has been missing in their relationship and stormy visa approval appointments have caused stirrings their relationship lacks stability and leaves room for falling out of love.  

However, even though the movie of course can not offer us romantics a sincere happy ending, it still creates an emotional atmosphere. When Anna returned to the US we learn that we can always try. Take risks. Move forward. Look how it will turn out, when following opportunities. Whether we use them or not, it will define how our lives will continue...

In my opinion this movie is a nice evening entertainment, which leaves one with a bit to think about. I was utterly impressed how camera settings underline every scene, creating intimacy, creating distance etc. The score was spectacular, the actors, especially Anton Yelchin were stunning, and the story an abstract of life, of finding love, missing each other, and realizing that love is gone. 

Did someone watch this movie? What do you think?

HAPPY SUNDAY!!
X

Sunday, lovely Sunday

Isn't it wonderful to have a quiet weekend ahead sometimes? This time I was so much looking forward to catching in some sleep.

To have a relaxing Sunday all I needed were a few essential ingredients. Quiet time, a book, a bubble bath, and season two of Sex and the City.

First things first:

After waking up well after breakfast time I decided to go out for a run first. A lazy day should not to be interrupted.

Let's go.

When I came back it was time for breakfast, and this time it was a fruity one. Mango-Coconut Smoothie with a bit of mint. Delicious.

I am unashamed to say that I then spend time with watching Sex and the City. Yes. By daylight. No. I had no better things to do. It has been some time that I met 'the ladies' and it was fun. However, as much as Disney learned me about romance (aka Prince Charming will wait for you, eventually, without doing much, you know), Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte learned me I must date a little more to find Prince Charming, eventually.

Time for some reading.Henry James it was. A Portrait of a Lady. Catching up with some Classics Club reading business, I am quite far behind my schedule. Anyhow, I was surprised by a small dried flower I have found between the pages. Not sure whether I have put it in there some time...However, I'd like to believe the version that someone else has put it in there...

Anyone read Henry James yet?

What do you think?

For lunch I made myself some Italian Deliciousness. One can never go wrong with Italian food. Never. This time it was Avocado Linguine.

(It is Sunday, and I ran, so some carbs are allowed, right ;-) )

To round up the day and before jumping in my PJ's I took a long hot bubble bath - 

with my favourite bubbles:

It is by a Dutch manufacturer called "Rituals" and it is delicious.

It is cold enough again, to wear PJs and this goes of course well with a glass of wine and my obligatory skype date with my favorite Londoner, my beautiful friend Kyra.

Right. That was it.

My delicious Sunday.

Already looking for the next weekend!!

What were you up to?

Happy Monday!!

xx

Movie review: To Rome with Love

People who know me also know that I am a fan of Woody Allen's more recent movies. Especially his recent Euro-city trips are highly recommendable and not only host a good story but also gives the audience the chance to have a good glance at the city - through his lens. My absolute favorite has been Midnight in Paris, followed by Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 

His latest travel brought him to Rome. The good thing is, he also brought us a souvenir: To Rome with Love. (Watch the trailer here and read the plot here.) 

Since I cannot recommend Midnight in Paris often enough, and loved Scoop, VCB, and Match Point I have to say that I have entered the film a little biased and had high expectations. Which  were possibly quite hard to match.

To Rome with Love provides the audience with a full blown Italian atmosphere (Music, fake Italian accents, Italian, Roman city scenery etc), which one should probably best enjoy with the appropriate glass of Chianti. The score was - as usual supreme, by mixing up classic Italian opera, Italo-Pop and other typical Italo-tunes to have the perfect mini-break-in-Rome- feeling. I felt very mediterranean that very moment. (If I did not look outside the window where everything is white of snow). 

Did you notice that I have started with the score? For the only reason that this was truly the best part of the movie. OK, next to the fact that we saw something of Rome for us never been there ourselves, hmm.

The movie is conducted of the four story strings of the different couples whose stories are not necessarily interconnected. 

The characters were indeed altogether interesting, since most of the actors were quite new in the scene and leave us watching the movie unbiased. The characters' stories, professions and circumstances give us a somewhat fresh glance to the everyday life of more or less ordinary people and the approach to use different story strings (vignettes) is already known from other movies such as Love Actually. I quite like this sort of technique since it keeps a certain dynamic in the movie, if it is well done - some things were: Unexpected moves and results, laughters from the couch were guaranteed at times and - again, the ideas are fresh and entertaining. Some things were not: Using different time slots, leaving the audience without a clou on things (why is this clerk suddenly famous? Terrorized by the paparazzi? Arrgghhh I have been waiting for an explanation 109 mins, well almost).

Anyways, the movie felt a bit unfinished. The initial thoughts for a good story were there, and they were partly good but I missed this tiny bit of fantastic-ness which Allen had reached in Midnight in Paris for example, which in the end was like a perfect picture. I felt I was still waiting for somebody to pick me up. It felt like someone had some great material (the idea of letting the alter ego travel back in time and experience the student time in Rome and interact with the younger self -- fantastic!) pushed into too less movie minutes which were simply not enough to let every story and character unfold its whole potential. 

I would rate this movie mediocre. The story undoubtedly had the potential for something greater, and I find that Allens inital proposal for the films' title - 'Nero Fiddles' - was by far more suitable than the actual one (since it did not quite fit), but all in all I was disappointed. 

Whether I would recommend the movie? Yes, maybe. But I would warn everyone with having too high expectations. Be prepared for something fast, something 'nice' not stunning. Light evening entertainment for a wider audience, no younger than 14 I'd say and at times a bit offside the mainstream. 

Did someone see the movie? What were your thoughts?