lathe-of-heaven

Okay... I've reviewed probably well over 300 movies here over the last 15 years or so, and generally I do not add a review when there are already so many here.

BUT... the reason why I am adding a brief review amidst these 300+ already, and in reading them I see that some others do indeed agree with me, for those who may feel like I do about movies like this I think it may be helpful to share how this movie struck me personally.

Straight out, right from the start, the overly 'Hip' tone put me off. Unless a film is done REALLY well and cleverly written/acted/directed, I usually do not care for movies that are kinda 'Cute' in the sense that they are in effect saying, 'Hey look how cool and hip we are', especially with the dialog that was being exchanged between all those 'Hip', 'Cool' very unrealistic people.

It just is not my thing, really. I understand if others, which many here are, into that kind of style, almost self-referential, then fine you may really like it. To me personally although I honestly do love a wide variety of styles in movies, and yes, they can be light hearted, don't always have to be serious or 'Heavy' But, the way that the style in which this movie was written and directed mainly just comes across as very Plastic and unbelievable.

In a case like this, I don't feel that it is the actors fault, because they simply follow the tone and direction of what they are given so they are not the ones who carry the ultimate responsibility for the way they come across. The style presented here just comes across to me as VERY artificial, superficial, and makes it very difficult really to 'Get Into' the story at all.

Heh, sorry to get real wordy, I guess this review is not really going to be 'Brief' after all, my apologies... : )

But, yeah, that's pretty much it. Probably the worst culprits to me as an actual film as far as it being truly engaging in any way or drawing the audience into the story at all, would be the writing and direction. If perhaps the same story could have been told in a more realistic or truly clever way, then sure the story may well have been very good. But, to me, honestly, I just didn't get the impression that the writing was very sharp or believable at all. And yes, I agree with many here that the introduction in just the first few minutes basically shows it's hand in what the tone of the film will be when she says what she does in just the first few sentences.

So, basically that's it. And, I don't know if that may indeed be very helpful to some others here. But, honestly, I would say for people who really get into movies where they are intelligently written, and NOT insulting the intelligence of the audience, and who appreciate films that give some depth and substance to their characters and especially their dialog with each other, then like me you may very well find this film somewhat lacking.

Superficial, not very well or cleverly written, characters poorly come across as real people at all and are FAR too busy trying to be 'Hip' and 'Cool' to relate to in any realistic way.

Sorry about that, but with all the very positive reviews I felt I really should throw in here my honest impressions as to the way the movie struck me.

I gave it a '5' because it is not Gawd-Awful, but very shallow and unsatisfying.

I hope that helps...

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The way I rate movies on 'My' curve : )

5 - Flawed, Not really recommended 6 - Passable, Worth a watch, not highly recommended 7 - A Solid, Entertaining Film.

Wow... This is not normally the type of movie that I watch. There are just a handful of romantic comedies that I really like. This one truly is one of the very best.

It is extremely well written and acted. Every character is portrayed perfectly. I love the humour in this which I feel is very funny and truly situational in the purest sense.

I saw this probably over 25 years ago, I had it on VHS. I believe I still have it. I was looking all these years to find it on DVD or somehow get a good print of it. FINALLY, after all this time, I found a nice HD print of it online.

In my lowly and wretched opinion, there are VERY few films on this type that are this good. To give you some idea at least as to what I find well done and entertaining I'll mention the few that come to mind. First and Foremost, primarily because I LOVE Sandra Bullock, the film she did with Hugh Grant called 'TWO WEEKS NOTICE' is probably my all time favourite. So, incredibly funny, both of them in absolute top form. A very close 2nd, and more of a Teen Comedy, but with romance, and perhaps an even better pure Comedy, would be 'BETTER OFF DEAD' with John Cusack.

Other films that I also really like which would fall under that one are 'AMERICAN SWEETHEARTS', 'FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, and the other Hugh Grant films of this type. Honourable mention would go to 'SERENDIPITY'...

So, that will give you some idea that even though this is not the type of film I would normally choose to watch first (that would be mostly Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller, Film Noir, etc...) But, this one is most definitely one of my all time favourites!

And, what makes this one so good, in addition to it being brilliantly done, is that it has a very satisfying romantic side too.

So, yes, I gave this one a very rare '9' and I feel it very much deserves it.

Yes, first and foremost, DO NOT even look at the titles here because you can always count on some Dip$h*t Numbnut giving everything away, just in their title. So, just a kind warning...

A basically good story, fairly decently executed. The main guy is OKAY in his role. The supporting characters I thought were actually better. But, even so... a fairly clever idea moderately well executed. I think that if the writing and direction had been just a little sharper, then this story could have had more impact, but the idea is good.

Again, a moderately entertaining Telefilm based upon a Stephen King short story, one of his more fun ones.

It you are not expecting full theatre grade quality and enjoy a good little mystery of what the hell is going on in this town, then you should enjoy this movie somewhat.

Again, DO NOT read the other review titles unless you want the entire story SPOILED!