Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: The Lake House. In 2004, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves), an architect trying to forge his own path, moves into the lake house his father (Christopher Plummer) built. Two years later, Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock), a doctor working in Chicago, moves out of the same house. When her letter to the new owner instead reaches Alex in the past, the two strike up a relationship that reaches across time.

The Lake House is a fantasy romance about a man and a woman living two years apart. Linked by the mailbox of the house they each lived in, Alex and Kate puzzle out their peculiar situation and open up to one another about their deepest feelings. The Lake House has an interesting premise and a gentle tone, but its execution is mixed. Slow pacing and confusing logistics hurt an otherwise sweet story.

The Lake House’s strength lies with its premise. The rules of the mailbox are notionally simple but have interesting implications. The movie plays with them a fair amount, such as Kate’s attempts to rendezvous with Alex in the present. The time gap also sets up a pleasant dialogue between the characters. They communicate in writing, but the movie takes steps to make their conversations tonally comfortable and visually interesting.

Where The Lake House struggles is in spinning its premise into a full story. The movie takes a while to get going, slowly introducing its characters before the reveal. The rules of the mailbox work well enough later on, but as the movie puts more stress on them, they start to break down. Logical inconsistencies, disorienting jumps between past and present, and a rather passive story diminish the payoff.

Give The Lake House a shot if you are interested in an experimental romance that only gets most of the way there. Critical viewers will find plenty to dock it for, and the movie requires a certain amount of buy-in to work. But those who are willing to forgive its flaws will find The Lake House to be an engaging puzzle that captures the feeling of wistful isolation quite well.

For a sentimental romantic drama about a couple trying to find the right time, try The Notebook or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For another nonlinear romance, try The Time Traveler’s Wife or Your Name. For another long-distance romance, check out Sleepless in Seattle. For an action thriller starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, try Speed. For a thriller about a father and son communicating across time, try Frequency.

[6.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410297/). I give it a 6.5 for a promising setup with a few flaws in its execution.

Today’s quick review: Kate & Leopold. In 1876, Leopold (Hugh Jackman), an English duke visiting America in search of a wife, follows Stuart (Liev Schrieber), an explorer from the present, through a rip in time and lands in modern-day New York. As Stuart worries about getting his unexpected guest back to the past, Leopold falls in love with Kate (Meg Ryan), a marketing researcher who never found the right man.

Kate & Leopold is a fantasy romance that pairs a 19th-century nobleman with a 21st-century woman. Genteel and courteous, Leopold gives Kate what she never realized she wanted. The movie earns points for a light premise, Hugh Jackman’s performance as Leopold, and a fun supporting cast. While the romance itself is not spectacular, Kate & Leopold’s interesting premise and likable male lead make it a fair pick for fans of the genre.

The arguable weak point of the movie is Kate. Where Leopold adapts quickly to life in the present, Kate refuses to believe he is who he says. Her skepticism delays the romance considerably, and even at her most romantic, she never opens up much. So while Kate & Leopold does end up with Kate getting swept off her feet by a true gentleman, it takes its time getting there without working to establish their personal connection.

Give Kate & Leopold a shot if you are looking for a romantic comedy with a historical twist. How much you get out of its romance will vary, but the figure of Leopold is refreshing enough to carry the movie. Steer clear if you are looking for a full-fledged time travel story or a snappier romance.

For a romance with a fully historical setting, try Pride & Prejudice. For a love story set in historical New York, try Winter’s Tale. For a romantic comedy about a career woman who re-evaluates her priorities, try The Proposal.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035423/). I give it a 6.5 for a good setup and decent execution.

Today’s quick review: Leap Year. Disappointed that her boyfriend Jeremy (Adam Scott) didn’t propose to her before his trip to Ireland, Anna Brady (Amy Adams) takes matters into her own hands, seizing on an old Irish tradition as an excuse to pop the question herself. But when bad weather and worse luck keep her from flying straight to Dublin, Anna is forced on a trek through the Irish countryside with Declan (Matthew Goode) as her guide.

Leap Year is a romantic comedy about a woman who sets out to propose to her fiance on Leap Day. Stranded in rural Ireland, Anna braves rain, cows, mud, hail, hostile locals, friendly locals, and the dry quips of her guide Declan to reach her boyfriend in Dublin. Leap Year is a sweet movie that runs on a mixture of unlucky breaks and Irish charm. Its gorgeous setting, light plot, and pair of well-matched leads make it a very enjoyable watch.

Leap Year has a different dynamic than other romantic comedies. Anna and Declan have very specific personalities. Anna is a habitual planner who’s always on edge when things go off the rails. Declan is a savvy local with a keen wit and a casual attitude towards everything. Their journey to Dublin gives them one problem after another, eventually forcing Anna to lighten up, trust Declan, and just enjoy the journey.

This setup results in a simple but satisfying story. Anna and Declan’s many detours give them plenty of time to get to know each other, as well as giving the audience time to drink in the landscape. Much of the humor comes from the clash between Anna’s expectations and the wry personalities of the people around her. The plot doesn’t hold too many surprises, but it progresses well and builds to a nice payoff.

Give Leap Year a shot when you are in the mood for a romance about opposites attracting. Leap Year does not change up the genre in any serious way, but its characters and its premise are unique enough to give it a niche of its own. Nearly every fan of the genre will get something out of it, and the right viewer will find it quite rewarding.

For a romantic comedy with a similar heroine but less chemistry, try The Wedding Planner. For a classic romance set in rural Ireland, try The Quiet Man. For a romantic comedy about a Scottish husband who has a similar sense of humor, try P.S. I Love You. For a subdued romantic comedy set in a Welsh village, try The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1216492/). I give it a 7.0 for likable characters and light comedy.

Today’s quick review: The Time Traveler’s Wife. Henry (Eric Bana) suffers from an inexplicable condition that causes him to spontaneously travel through time. At a low point in his life, he meets Claire (Rachel McAdams), a young woman who says she has spoken with him many times in the past. The two quickly fall in love—Henry for the first time, Claire for the second—but Henry’s condition makes their life together a challenge.

The Time Traveler’s Wife is a fantasy romantic drama about a love story that plays out across time. Henry is given frustrating glimpses of his past and his future, while Claire is left waiting for her husband to come home. The Time Traveler’s Wife is a sentimental story full of casual paradox and personal hardship. Its original premise makes it an interesting and emotionally potent puzzle, but its story won’t resonate with everyone.

The Time Traveler’s Wife puts its premise to good use. Henry’s condition at once sets up a romantic tale of predestined love and a tragic one full of absences and unanswered questions. Ordinary living turns into a delicate puzzle, and only the love Henry and Claire have for each other keeps them grounded. For some fans of romance, Claire and Henry’s interactions throughout time will be enough to make the story a truly touching one.

However, other viewers will have a rougher time. For all that Henry’s time travel opens up new possibilities, it also makes for a passive story. Claire and Henry are left waiting for whatever surprising his random jumps have in store for them, with no way to control when they happen or where he will go. As such, the story feels static: one moment of longing stretched to the length of a movie and peppered with complications.

How much you get out of The Time Traveler’s Wife will vary considerably. Sentimental viewers who like romance for its own sake will find The Time Traveler’s Wife to be a sweet story with an interesting premise, real love, and real heartache. But for some viewers, the romance will never click, leaving it an interesting premise without a lot of forward momentum.

For another romantic drama about two soulmates separated by time, try The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For a romantic drama with a similarly wistful tone, try The Notebook. For a more upbeat romance about time travel, try About Time. For a more mundane drama about a couple going through similar hardships, try Penny Serenade.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452694/). I give it a 7.0 for a soundly constructed but ultimately static love story; your score will vary.

Today’s quick review: About Time. Shortly after Tim’s (Domhnall Gleeson) 21st birthday, his father (Bill Nighy) reveals that the men in their family have the ability to travel back in time. Equipped with unlimited second chances, Tim sets out to make a life of his own and falls madly in love with Mary (Rachel McAdams), the woman of his dreams.

About Time is a fantasy romance about a young man who can revisit the past. Warned by his father to only use his power on things that will make him truly happy, Tim goes searching for love, only to find it when he meets Mary on a blind date. About Time follows Tim as he navigates growing up, using his power to fix mistakes and learning what not to change. Excellent craftsmanship and an original premise make About Time a great pick.

About Time shows sound judgment throughout. Tim proves to be a reliable custodian of his powers, never using them in a way that cheapens the story or makes him a worse person. The plot shows a great deal of forethought, with time travel mechanics that only get more interesting as the movie goes on and personal relationships that deepen in captivating ways. There are no cheap tricks or shortcuts, only rock-solid stoytelling.

And the story is well worth telling. About Time is not ambitious. Its scope only includes Tim and his family and friends. But within that limited sphere, the story is insightful and fulfilling. It captures important facts about life and love in a remarkably clever way, and it does so with only a few pinches of well-placed drama. Finally, the casting is impeccable; Domhnall Gleeson, Bill Nighy, and Rachel McAdams all shine.

About Time is an unassuming film with a lot to offer the right viewer. Anyone looking for a sentimental story with a smart premise, an optimistic tone, and a steady stream of good humor should look no farther. Not everyone will appreciate what About Time is going for, but anyone with a taste for the sweet side of romance would do well to give it a watch.

For a romantic comedy about a man caught in a time loop, check out Groundhog Day. For a charming romance about a young woman trying to help the people around her, try Amelie. For a romantic comedy about a man with countless second chances, try 50 First Dates. For a romantic comedy about a man with just one, try Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For a comedy with similar themes, try Hector and the Search for Happiness.

[7.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2194499/). I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a heartwarming story and a fantastic cast.

Today’s quick review: 13 Going on 30. After a wish on her 13th birthday, Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen) wakes up in the body of her 30-year-old self (Jennifer Garner). Jenna soon finds out that she got her dream job as a magazine editor and leads the glamorous life she always wanted. But when Jenna realizes that her personal life is a mess, she sets out to reconnect with Matt (Mark Ruffalo), her former best friend, and make things right.

13 Going on 30 is a romantic comedy about a teenage girl who wakes up as her adult self. Jenna must figure out how to be a grown-up, navigate the disorienting world of the future, and fix all the things her adult self broke in pursuit of her career. 13 Going on 30 features a charming premise, light humor, and a spirited performance from Jennifer Garner. All of this is enough to make it a charming watch for the right audience.

13 Going on 30 perfectly captures the feel of a teenager living out an adult’s life. Jenna marvels at her newfound freedom, listens to her favorite bands from the 80s, shies away from dating, and approaches every interaction with a sunny optimism. Her innocence is refreshing, and it meshes well with the clues that her 30-year-old self is manipulative and cruel. She’s also balanced out well by Matt, who grew into a kind but reserved man.

13 Going on 30’s main drawback is that it skews a little childish. The tone is light and family-friendly, apart from one or two explicit jokes. The plot lacks any real substance, revolving around Jenna’s attempts to fix her life and her belated realization that she has feelings for Matt. And while Jenna’s teenage attitude is a ray of light in the cutthroat world she lives in, the movie makes it a little too easy for her to succeed.

13 Going on 30 is a fun popcorn watch for those in the mood for a light comedy with a dash of romance. The premise is simple and effective, the acting is enthusiastic, and the jokes are entertaining if not necessarily brilliant. 13 Going on 30 will not be for everyone, but its strengths make it worth a watch for anyone who likes joyful comedy.

For another romantic comedy about a woman trying to reconcile her teenage dreams with her grown-up reality, try Peggy Sue Got Married. For a comedy with a similar premise, check out Big. For one where a mother and daughter change places, try Freaky Friday. For a more mature comedy about a man given another chance to choose love over his career, try The Family Man. For a fantasy comedy about a man skipping through his life, try Click.

[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337563/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a charming premise and an upbeat tone.

“Okay, ten-second pity party. Go.” —Ethan

Today’s quick review: Something Borrowed. Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Darcy (Kate Hudson) have been best friends since they were children. But Darcy drives a wedge between them when she acts on an old crush and sleeps with Darcy’s fiance Dex (Colin Egglesfield). With only weeks to go before the wedding, Rachel and Dex must sort out their feelings for each other and decide whether to come clean to Darcy or just move on.

Something Borrowed is a romantic comedy about two best friends who are both in love with the same man. What begins as a momentary lapse grows into a full-blown affair as Rachel and Dex give in to their attraction. Something Borrowed features a good cast and a promising setup, but it misplays its hand. Unlikable characters and a meandering plot undermine what could have been a charming story.

Something Borrowed suffers from an unusual problem: The characters lose support from the audience as the movie goes on. Rachel starts out as a kind, bookish woman who’s used to living in the shadow of her outgoing best friend. But she loses the moral high ground by sneaking around behind Darcy’s back and then lying about it. And while the movie acknowledges that she’s done something wrong, it never finds a satisfying way to build on that.

The same goes for the other characters. Dex starts out suave but gets less appealing as he wavers, ruining what is otherwise good chemistry with Rachel. Darcy is a shallow person who has an interesting friendship with Rachel, but she gets less amusing as she gets drunk, bends the truth, and takes advantage of her best friend. By the last leg of the movie, most of the characters are in a no-win situation of their own making.

These character issues feed into Something Borrowed’s other main problem: It doesn’t seem to know where to take its story. Instead of building up to a grand choice, the movie lurches along as Rachel and Dex keep going back and forth about their affair. There’s no sense of culmination, only a series of questionable decisions that make the situation more and more untenable, topped off with a couple of unsatisfying plot twists.

Still, Something Borrowed does have a few redeeming qualities. John Krasinski does a fantastic job as Rachel’s friend Ethan, whose sarcastic quips light up every scene he’s in. The actors are well-cast and the dynamics between them work well. And while the love triangle is not as clean as in other romances, it may appeal to viewers who like things morally ambiguous and realistically messy.

Something Borrowed is a decent movie that could have been a lot more. Its good cast and tangled situation will appeal to viewers who don’t mind the lying and cheating, but its character issues and unclear trajectory make it a poor fit for viewers looking for a breezy romantic comedy. Take a chance if you are interested, but casual viewers may want to steer clear.

For a lighter romantic comedy starring Kate Hudson about two best friends with a similar dynamic, try Bride Wars. For a romantic comedy with a similarly sneaky lead but a better payoff, try My Best Friend’s Wedding. For another romantic comedy about a woman who becomes involved with the fiance of someone close to her, try The Wedding Planner.

[5.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491152/). I give it a 6.0 for misplaying a solid hand.

Today’s quick review: The Wedding Planner. Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez), a punctilious wedding planner, meets the man of her dreams when Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey), a handsome pediatrician, saves her from a nasty accident. But just as their relationship is starting to bloom, Mary learns that Steve is actually the fiance of Fran Donolly (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras), Mary’s latest client.

The Wedding Planner is a romantic comedy about a wedding planner caught between her heart and her job. Still nursing the wounds from an old breakup, Mary dares to open up again, only to find that the man she’s in love with is already taken. The Wedding Planner features a fine premise and a decent cast, but it fails to capitalize on its assets. Mediocre plot work and chemistry keep it from standing up to the best the genre has to offer.

The Wedding Planner gets the character of Mary right but does not tell the right story about her. Mary is precise, polite, and controlling, traits that make her excellent at her job but cut her off from the prospect of romance. Her infatuation with Steve is the perfect opportunity for her to open up, but the movie never forces her to. Instead, she struggles but hardly grows, navigating a crisis but not being shaped by it.

Much of this has to do with the way The Wedding Planner handles Steve. Steve starts out as the perfect man, then dwindles as he gets wrapped up in wedding preparations and his own conflicting feelings towards Mary. Given the chance to be more proactive and establish real chemistry with Mary, Steve could have been the lynchpin holding the movie together. As it stands, Matthew McConaughey’s talents are not used to their fullest.

Even with these flaws, The Wedding Planner goes through the motions well enough. The love triangle has an unusual quality to it, both because Steve does not tell Mary about his engagement right away and because Mary has a strong professional interest in making sure Fran gets married. The plot has enough wrinkles to be engaging. And while the characters are not a major hit, they are enough to carry the story across the finish line.

The Wedding Planner is a decent pick if you are a fan of romantic comedies and are looking for a minor variation on the formula. Although the movie misplays its hand in a couple of key ways, it gets enough right to be worthwhile for the right viewer. Critical viewers would do better looking elsewhere.

For a more spirited romantic comedy with Matthew McConaughey, try Fool’s Gold. For a crime comedy with a hefty dose of romance starring Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney, try Out of Sight. For another romantic comedy about a love triangle that threatens to disrupt a wedding, try Made of Honor or My Best Friend’s Weddding.

[5.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209475/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a basic but enjoyable romance.

Today’s quick review: My Best Friend’s Wedding. Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts), a food critic who has never committed to a relationship, realizes she has made a huge mistake when Michael (Dermot Mulroney), her best friend of nine years, announces that he is getting married. Suddenly jealous, Julianne flies out to congratulate Michael, sabotage the wedding, and make sure that Michael chooses her over his fiance Kimmy (Cameron Diaz).

My Best Friend’s Wedding is a romantic comedy about a woman struggling with the realization that she’s in love with her best friend. The movie takes place over the course of one frantic weekend and Julianne stoops to lower and lower depths to undermine the wedding and get a second chance at Michael. My Best Friend’s Wedding offers an unusual take on the classic love triangle, making it an interesting watch for fans of the genre.

What makes My Best Friend’s Wedding is the character dynamics. Julianne has been taking Michael for granted, and the shock of losing him makes her try a series of desperate ploys to win him back. Kimmy is young and exuberant, but she has hidden depths that make her a difficult opponent. For his part, Michael has clear flaws but gets along well enough with both of the women to make a credible center of the movie.

The drawback to all of this is that My Best Friend’s Wedding does not have the same kind of payoff as other romantic comedies. The behavior of the characters can be childish, but the themes are mature, an examination of what qualities truly make for a lasting relationship. As such, viewers who are looking for triumphant gestures of love or an underdog heroine may be disappointed; the movie makes use of its setup in other ways.

How much you get out of My Best Friend’s Wedding will vary. Fans of romantic comedies will enjoy the space the movie plays in and the way Julianne wrestles with her unfamiliar feelings for Michael. But the situation is a little skewed compared to the typical setup, meaning that the movie does not have quite the same emotional or comedic impact. Give it a shot if you’re curious.

For a romantic comedy about the bride’s best friend trying to break up the wedding, try Made of Honor. For a romantic comedy with a similar perspective on love, try Four Weddings and a Funeral. For a romantic comedy about a woman who realizes she’s gone down the wrong path, try 13 Going on 30.

[6.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119738/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for interesting ideas handled well.

Today’s quick review: The Accidental Husband. Emma Lloyd (Uma Thurman), a radio host with a detached view of love, ruins Patrick Sullivan’s (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) life when she talks his fiance into dumping him during a call-in to the show. As revenge, Patrick hacks the state computer system and fakes a prior marriage between him and Emma, forcing her to scramble to get the marriage annulled in time for her wedding to Richard (Colin Firth).

The Accidental Husband is a romantic comedy about a love guru whose theories about romance are put the test when she meets an impulsive firefighter. While trying to sort out the “glitch” that caused their marriage, Emma finds herself falling for Patrick, even though he’s the opposite of the man she always said she wanted.

The Accidental Husband has a decent premise, but its execution leaves something to be desired. Uma Thurman and Jeffrey Dean Morgan perform well individually but their chemistry is not strong enough to carry the film. The humor comes from a series of misunderstandings about Emma and Patrick’s marriage, but the movie drops that angle early on.

More broadly, The Accidental Husband makes a lot of small mistakes that blunt its impact. Moments that are supposed to be emotional are missing the setup, musical cues, and character reactions to make them work. Emma drifts through major revelations rather than engaging with them. Even the script does not have a clear endpoint in mind: The finale has none of the careful planning Emma espouses and little of the romance she’s tempted by.

All of this dampens what is otherwise a sound movie. Uma Thurman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Colin Firth are all fine picks for their roles. The premise is a clever one for a romantic comedy. The movie does a lot of legwork to develop Patrick as a character and have Emma discover that he’s more than he seems. But without the charm to tie it all together, these efforts go to waste, making The Accidental Husband a mediocre pick.

For a romantic comedy with a similar premise and a weaker cast, try Accidentally Engaged. For one with more spark, check out The Proposal. For a romantic comedy about a dating advice show host whose theories get put to the test, check out The Ugly Truth. For a one about a love doctor who falls in love in spite of his best efforts, try Hitch.

[5.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0809504/). I give it a 5.5 for a decent premise that never hits its stride.