Recently in Romance Category

Directed by Peter Jobson. Starring Kevin McKidd, Laura Fraser, Susan Lynch. Drama. Synopsis:  A happy child turns into a troubled teen and an angry, violent adult  after his disillusionment at discovering the absence of love between his parents and beginning his reliance on alcohol. As an adult, he meets two women who give him a chance at love and redemption, but will he be able to fully let his past go so that he can face a brighter future?

Although this British film was released in '03, I just recently saw it in the new release section of the local vid store and decided to check it out because it had two actresses whose work I really liked in previous films: Laura Fraser (Iron Jawed Angels) and Susan Lynch (From Hell), so I picked it up.

This movie is hard to describe, because its told in an unusual way, you won't see anything you have not seen somewhere else before, but Jobson definitely has a style all his own. The story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, and we are introduced to Frankie as a boy who idolizes his heroic like father and loves his mom (mum?)  That is all shattered when Frankie catches his dad philandering and realizes that his hero has feet of clay. Nothing eccentric here, but Jobson employs narration throughout the film and, as we see from the get go, the narration of Frankie often tells us what is going to happen before it does or, worse, tells us the meaning of what we are watching. Not a deal breaker for me, I like narratives when done in a certain way, but I could have done without that.

Next we jump to Frankie (Kevin McKidd) as a tough, violent teenager who is the leader of a group of skin heads who is not above pounding on a pub owner or a fellow gang member at the slightest provocation. That is, he is pretty set in his ways until he meets Helen (Laura Fraser) and an improbable romance blooms between the artistic, thoughtful Helen and the vodka swilling, tough guy Frankie. Well, as you might guess, Helen gradually changes Frankie, who starts to let his hair grow out and even pounds on one of his boys in defense of Helen's honor, and ultimately declares his willingness to forgo violence as well as drink for Helen, if not his love.

Things go swimmingly for a few minutes until we find Frankie and Helen at an art show, where Frankie ends up being pretty descriptive to a condescending older couple who are looking at art along side Frankie. Well, Helen witnesses this and, convinced that Frankie will never change, dumps him right there and then. Back to the flask for Frankie, who does still think enough of Helen to beat up and disfigure a former gang buddy who communicates his less than honorable intentions about Helen to Frankie.

After this, its on to acting classes and AA for Frankie, who meets a woman also trying to forget her past named Mary (Susan Lynch From Hell). This romance seems to have real promise, but Frankie can't seem to let himself be completely loved by Mary, as his past demons relating to his father's adultery and being dumped by Helen haunt him to the conclusion of the film, which includes a memorable ending that I will not spoil for anyone.

Overall, I liked the film, but I did have some problems with it. I thought it tried too hard to be artsy, relying on too obvious scenes of symbolism-such as Frankie's parents being covered by icicles as he sits and watches them in silence as a boy- and the use of still pictures to fill in the progression of the stories within the story like some sort of slide show. I also thought the movie could have done a better job of setting itself up for us: how old is Frankie? When is this taking place? What is the period of time involved? To me, these are simple things to set forth that help us to better identify with the characters or get into the story. Did Frankie meet Mary one week after his relationship with Helen ended, or five years? I'm not sure,  its not clear at all in the film. To me, this makes a difference in how I might empathize with him and understand his actions.

However, those complaints, while they took away from the film for me, do not ruin it completely and the acting of the three main characters more than carries the film above the average movie, and Jobson clearly has something to say, although I'm not sure at all that the title does the film justice, as this is really not a film about alcohol abuse, its there, but its just a symptom for Frankie, not a cause of his problems. To me, it's really about the inability, or unwillingness, to give and accept love and the consequences and effects of this.

Judging from excellent and in depth feature with Jobson and the actors in the special features of the DVD, I think that might have been one of the things the movie was trying to say. I would say that most who watch 16 Years will appreciate its seriousness, superb acting, and good cinematography in making us feel Edinburgh. The film has flaws and might be a little too pretentious for some, but I, for one, would definitely check out a Jobson film in the future.  

Directed by Ray McKinnon. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Lisa Blount, Ray McKinnon, Harry Lennix, Walton Coggins, Grace Zabriske, Colin Fickes, Harry Dean Stanton, Johnny Galecki. Drama/Romance.

A story of a couple whose married life is ripped apart by an automobile accident that leaves her injured, their child dead, and him in jail for years. Upon his release, he surprisingly returns home to rebuild his life and, hopefully, hers, but they both find that as  much as things change, they remain the same.

This one goes under the header of quality small budget movies that are character driven, based on a good story, good script, and well directed. It reminded me in feel and texture from the opening credits of The Badge, which isn't surprising when you consider that two of the stars in this one (Thornton, McKinnon) had major roles in The Badge, plus McKinnon directed this one, as well.

The story is set in the Ozark mountain region of Arkansas, and begins with a long haired (and presumably younger) Joe (Thornton) driving very fast along the winding mountain roads with his wife Chrystal (Lisa Blount) and young son in the car. A horrible accident occurs as the car careens off the road and we see Chrystal laying motionless after being thrown from the car, and the young boy standing apart from the scene, watching quietly, with no hint of emotion.

The film cuts abruptly to a scene where Chrystal is giving sexual favors to a young man in the back seat of an old car. We see Joe striding up the road and only later do we learn that he has been in prison for twenty years. (Note of warning: the movie progresses for a good 4-5 minutes before there is any dialogue. There is nothing wrong with your DVD player)  

The relationship between Joe and Chrystal is odd, to say the least, as there is little communication between the two of them until late into the picture. We learn from conversations with other characters that Chrystal is well educated and well read for her group of peers, might have some mental stability issues as she believes she is carrying a child in her neck, and never got around to divorcing Joe. (We also get the impression that Joe didn't bother to tell Chrystal that he was being released...or coming home)

We also learn that, while in prison, Joe tried several times to escape, would be known to yell for his release to go look for his son, and used to be a premier marijuana dealer in the area. Oh, and one more thing to whet the appetites of those who have not seen the film: the body of their son was never found nor was any trace of him ever recovered.

As Joe is trying to re-acclimate himself to life on the outside, while sleeping on Chrystal's porch and hanging out with her ne'er do well cousin Larry (Walton Coggins), he is approached by the current big wig in town, at least in the area of drug running (and possibly using), Snake (McKinnon). There is an undefined but palpable history and tension between Joe and Snake and Snake makes it clear to Joe that he is not to resume is marijuana growing habits...unless, of course, he agrees to do it for the entrepreneurial Snake. Let's just say that the two don't have a warm fuzzy for each other, but things don't boil over until Snake insults the honor of Chrystal, who apparently "got around" quite a bit when Joe was in jail.

An interesting sidebar to the story is the presence of Kalid (Harry Lennix) a blind music professor from Chicago who, let's say, sticks out in the Ozarks. He is there to do a study on folk music in the region, having an old friend in Chrystal's grandfather, Pa Da (Harry Dean Stanton). Chrystal and Harry meet and its clear that Chrystal has an interest in Harry, though she remains, in her own way, committed to Joe.

There are other interesting characters in the film who help weave the fabric of the movie. Colin Fickes is lovable and funny as the good natured Hog, and Grace Zabriskie hits a homer with her portrayal of Chrystal's mother, Gladys.

This is a very good drama that almost disguises the fact that it is really trying to be a romance. Without spoiling it, don't think you are going to see the classic boy meets girl/boy loses girl/boy gets girl theme. Well, its there, but there is a twist on the ending of that theme which makes for a very good ending for the film.

I've only been to the Ozark region once, and even then not as deep into it as the setting of this film (I guess I was in what you would call the tourist part), but I would be stunned if it was not filmed on location. McKinnon, in addition to doing a fine job as the evil Snake, also directs the movie in fine fashion, not spoon feeding us anything, leaving the appropriate things open for our own interpretation, but giving us what we need to make that determination. If that is not enough, he also wrote the screenplay.

As you might guess, the cast is, overall, excellent with Blount (McKinnon's wife) giving an amazing performance. And, for anyone who is a Billy Bob Thornton fan (c'mon, aren't we all), you need to get this one asap.

Negatives? None that I can think of, unless you are just not into something so character driven and so region specific. Oh, and there are no special features on the DVD.

That's a shame. The features, like the movie, would have been excellent.         

This movie is not what I expected when I first looked at the DVD cover. Make no mistake, Beyonce's presence in this one should not lead you to conclude its a romantic comedy or lighter fair. This is a dramatic story with some depth, and the three main characters all more than carry their weight in sustaining the suspense of the story, which doesn't exactly take you where you think it will.

Derek Charles ( Iris Elba American Gangster) is a financial analyst who is on the fast track and loving it at his firm. His wife, Sharon (Beyonce Knowles The Pink Panther) is his former secretary who is now a happy stay at home mother to their infant son. All seems well, even when Derek is introduced to a nice new "temp" worker at the firm, Lisa (Ali Larter Final Destination)   Lisa seems friendly, more than efficient at her job, and its obvious that she is just a little smitten with her temporary boss, Derek. But, who wouldn't be? And, a little innocent inter-office banter and friendliness on Derek's part when Lisa gets dumped by her boyfriend isn't that big of a deal. Or, is it? I won't play spoiler on this one, but the situation between the two soon ecalates into one of pasion, a heated and intense love affair between the two.

There is just one thing.

None of that actually happens. But, Lisa thinks its happening. And, soon, we the results of someone living in their own reality and how it effects everyone around her. Now, I told you earlier the flick would not take you exactly where you expect it to, and right now you might be thinking this will be an updated version of Fatal Attraction. Its not, either in intent or or result. I think that is mostly because Larter makes her character empathetic, if not sympathetic, and it is easy for us to see why it takes Derek, and everyone else, to see just how combustible this situation will be.

For you Beyonce fans, as well as those of you who might be skeptical of her acting "chops", understand that her character-Sharon- is not one dimensional, nor is she there just as eye candy playing the wife in the backround. Oh, no. Sharon is, in many respects including the climax of the film, the hero. The final conflict is between her and Lisa, so forget the sterotypical man coming in at the last moment to save her.

I can see how some might view the hand to hand combat scene between Lisa and Sharon as a little bit cmpy, but I disagree. Its just very seldom we see movfie fight scenes between women in a realistic fashion. They are either set up as superheroines (Kill Bill Vol II), or the quintessential male fantasy of two chicks ripping each other's clothes off. Now, speaking for most of the males out there, it would be fun to see that with Ms. Knowles and Ms. Larter, bu it would be beneath a film of this caliber so, for those of you hoping to see a little of that, you'll be disappointed.

What isn't disappointing is the way the emotional arc of each character is built up and presented to us in a beleivable way, which makes Obssessed more than worth your while if you decide to take a look at it.       

Starring: Piper Perabo, Lena Headey, Matthew Goode, Celia Imrie, Anthony Head.Synopsis: A young woman who is finally marrying her long time boyfriend sees someone else for the first time and falls in love at first. The person she sees is another woman, which makes her feelings even more complicated in dealing with her new husband. Romance. Directed by Ol Parker.

Imagine Me & You a flick that deals with the legend of "love at first sight". The fly in the ointment here is that Rachel (Piper Perabo Edison Force ) is finally marrying her long time boyfriend, Heck (Matthew Goode Match Point). Rachel and Heck are happy together, and finally getting married will be the high point of their relationship.

As Rachel is walking down the isle, she sees Luce (Lena Headey 300) for the first time and the spark is there for both of them. Luce runs a flower shop in town and knows Heck, which is how she got the gig of setting up the flowers for the wedding. Luce is in between girlfriends and Rachel is, of course, married, so things build slowly, with Heck at first wanting Rachel to hang out with Luce when he's tied up with work.

There is a great scene where the two of them attend a football (soccer) game and Luce teaches Rachel how to really yell which is also the first close physical contact that they have. Of course, if you have seen any romantic comedy before, you know that after the realization of the initial attraction, there is the road to finding out if it is mutual, then the roadblocks/denial, they the finale where we find out if the two will get and stay together.

Well, you know me well enough to know that I am not going to give that away, here, but I will say that the fact that the two lovebirds are of the same sex and that one is newly married does throw a wrench into the typical story line. Having said that, I really want to emphasize that, for me, this is really not a "gay" movie, something that the director said as well in his commentary. By that, I mean that the same sex angle is not the only, or even the main focus of the story, its Rachel's struggle with her feelings for Luce in the context of her love and long relationship with Heck.

The story is set completely in London, and all the actors except Perabo are British. But, Perabo deserves a big shout out for her performance, her accent is wonderful and if you don't know that she is a Jersey girl, you would probably think she is British. Goode is, well, good in his role as Heck, which might remind you a little of his role in Match Point.   Headley does well to play Luce in a likable way, unabashed about her preference for women but not a home wrecker and we can certainly empathize with her character.

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino. Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper. Drama, Romance.

SYNOPSIS: A MAN WITH A BURDEN ON HIS SOUL LOOKS TO SHARE A LIFE CHANGING GIFT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE STRANGERS, BUT FIRST HE MUST DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WORTHY.

As anyone who watches movies, particularly those of you out there who are true flick lovers, every once in a while you sit down and watch a movie that makes you sit back, reflect, and really think about yourself, your life, and the people close to you who comprise your world.

Seven Pounds is certainly one of those kinds of movies.

Now, I know you might be sitting there thinking 'Oh, no, he's gone all sappy on us.' Nope, not to worry, still the same wisecracking, sarcastic, ne'er-do-well blogger whose flick notes you love to read. Its just that this movie has that effect.

Will Smith (Hancock, I Am Legend) is a tortured man who is clearly at the seminal point of his life. We see that from the first scene, though its not made clear to us why. (Between me, you, and the fence post, its not too hard to figure it out) But, what is curious is the way this IRS agent goes out of his way to offend people, from the blind man on the phone trying to provide him customer service (Woody Harrelson, White Men Can't Jump, Anger Management) to the young woman in failing health who is awaiting a transplant (Rosario Dawson, Sin City) , yet seems to be obviously conflicted about...in fact, you can tell he is a pretty decent guy.

The evidence is there in the way he goes out of his way to help the elderly woman who is lonely and somewhat neglected in the hospital, or his efforts to help the Spanish speaking woman get out with her child before her wife-beating husband crosses the ultimate line.

Just what kind of tax collector is this? Sympathetic, yet sarcastic. Empathetic, yet rude.

Well, in full disclosure, I know the answer, as do any of you who have seen the flick, but I'm not going to be a spoiler here. I do feel comfortable in telling you that it has a whole lot to do with what is tormenting him. (Wow! Bet you didn't see that one coming, huh?)

The flick grabs you right from the first scene, and the story is told in flashback, but in a way that flows smoothly and is easy to follow, which also makes it easy for you to process what little you know about the future of the character while the back story is being told.

Now, will you figure it out? I don't know. I didn't. But, as my teachers used to tell me, I'm not "the brightest bulb in the batch", so you might have more luck.

The nice thing about this flick is that isn't one of those where "figuring it out" is the whole point of the movie. Its not vital to enjoying the story. And, I think you will. I'm a Will Smith fan, and I don't think I've ever seen him better than he is here. For those of you who like, or even need, a romantic undertone to your films to really get into them, you have it in spades here between Smith and Dawson.

I also should mention the small, but very important, role of Smith's life long best friend. (Barry Peppers, Saving Private Ryan, 61) This is a vital role to understanding and appreciating the story, though you won't fully understand why until the end. I thought Peppers was wonderful and, yes, you can buy he and Smith being best buds.

When you have a story that deals with some of the most important and powerful questions a human will face such as those posed by Seven Pounds, you need strong performances to make it work. What is really important in life? How can I make amends for the wrong I've done? If I'm willing to give someone else the best gift I can, how do I decide if they're worthy of it? How far does love and friendship go? And, once you've lost everything, but have a chance to get it back, can you go back on the good you've done to make amends?

See what I mean? These aren't just everyday questions, this movie isn't seeking to produce an every day response, and these aren't every day actors. And when you have a compelling story that will appeal to most everyone, good direction, and good actors giving some of the best performances you've seen them give, its inevitable what the result is going to be.

A very good film.

Directed by Gary Sinyor.Starring Chris O'Donnell, Renee Zellweger, Artie Lange, Hal Holbrook, Ed Asner, Jennifer Esposito, Brooke Shields. Romance/Comedy Synopsis: A young business heir who loves his girlfriend and bachelorhood has a monumental decision when his quirky grandfather leaves a will demanding he be married by his 30th birthday to inherit his millions at about the same time his true love has dumped him after a clumsily botched proposal. He doesn't have much time.