Jennifer Aniston is certainly Hollywood's It Girl and with a half dozen romantic type films under her belt at least...it would be easy to just throw a story around her and I think this is what happened with Love Happens. I say this because the concept of the film is actually very solid, touching, and has real potential but the problems with the film are that its incredibly predictable, never strays from the typical recipe and the characters are rather empty and a-typical which is a shame given the talent behind the film. It definitely cannot be described as a romantic 'comedy' because the films entire overtone is rather bleak. That in itself is not a bad thing because it is about the main character moving past a devastating death and falling again but where the climax and subsequent end should be uplifting it never truly does. I think the film was rushed and they missed some key areas. Fortunately it isn't entirely un-redeemable because both main actors are solid actors and manage to make something of virtually nothing in the characters they are given.
Jennifer Aniston is talented...I firmly believe that. The problem is that she never seems to take anything with any meat and potatoes to it. A common thread in a lot of the reviews is that the director is content to let her be her but that isn't always going to be enough. Her quirky, unlucky in love, but spunky perfect woman role is old. Yes she fits it but enough already. Aaron Eckhart IS very talented. There is no doubt about it but I think he struggles to be more mainstream so that he becomes the star he deserves to be. A romance might seem like the way to do that and on the outside this part might seem perfect. Down on his luck, hiding his emotions, lost the love of his life...but the character is so typical and never does anything outstanding. I felt like I was waiting for the inevitable breakthrough that never happened. Martin Sheen is a legend and he is one of those actors that putting him on screen ups the ante of the film immediately. In his brief time on screen he gives more emotion and performance than even the main cast. Judy Greer is the best friend. She fits the profile, small and spunky and happy and encouraging but never gets any real depth to her character.
Writer and director Brandon Camp doesn't seem to really know where to place the originality in this film. I think he lets them play out whatever they need to. Reportedly this was a two picture deal for Camp who sold his other film so perhaps this was just something to do for him. I sound like I am really trashing the picture but the problem is that its just okay and never does anything else. Its watchable and it isn't a waste but you will wish there was just something so much more. I could compare the film a great deal to a Kevin Costner vehicle called Message In A Bottle but there was something haunting and moving about that film...Love Happens...just sort of happens. 7.5/10
Jennifer Aniston is talented...I firmly believe that. The problem is that she never seems to take anything with any meat and potatoes to it. A common thread in a lot of the reviews is that the director is content to let her be her but that isn't always going to be enough. Her quirky, unlucky in love, but spunky perfect woman role is old. Yes she fits it but enough already. Aaron Eckhart IS very talented. There is no doubt about it but I think he struggles to be more mainstream so that he becomes the star he deserves to be. A romance might seem like the way to do that and on the outside this part might seem perfect. Down on his luck, hiding his emotions, lost the love of his life...but the character is so typical and never does anything outstanding. I felt like I was waiting for the inevitable breakthrough that never happened. Martin Sheen is a legend and he is one of those actors that putting him on screen ups the ante of the film immediately. In his brief time on screen he gives more emotion and performance than even the main cast. Judy Greer is the best friend. She fits the profile, small and spunky and happy and encouraging but never gets any real depth to her character.
Writer and director Brandon Camp doesn't seem to really know where to place the originality in this film. I think he lets them play out whatever they need to. Reportedly this was a two picture deal for Camp who sold his other film so perhaps this was just something to do for him. I sound like I am really trashing the picture but the problem is that its just okay and never does anything else. Its watchable and it isn't a waste but you will wish there was just something so much more. I could compare the film a great deal to a Kevin Costner vehicle called Message In A Bottle but there was something haunting and moving about that film...Love Happens...just sort of happens. 7.5/10