My Review: As Good As It Gets (9/10)

"You make me want to be a better man."

I finally got around to watching this touching and funny film directed by James L. Brooks that stands out thanks to some wonderful performances and memorable characters. As Good As it Gets is proof that actions are louder than words because despite how cruel and mean Nicholson's character is, he does incredible and kind things for others. In a way this film reminded me of David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook as I found both films to be difficult to follow at first due to the lack of a likable character, but once we get to know who these people are we forgive their flaws and end up routing for them. Both Nicholson and Helen Hunt give excellent performances, and their Oscar wins were well deserved in my opinion. As Good As it Gets is the very definition of charm, and the screenplay written by Mark Andrus (Life As a House) shines thanks to some incredible performances. I really enjoyed this film and found myself laughing through most of the scenes. This is one more film I can eliminate from my shame list, and I'm glad I finally got to experience this romantic comedy which also has a lot to say about overcoming illness.

We are introduced to Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), a cranky but successful author who suffers from OCD. He lives on his own in a beautiful apartment where he spends most of his time writing. He always goes out on his daily breakfast ritual which consists of walking to a nearby cafe without touching anyone or stepping on any cracks. He always sits in the same place at the cafe and always demands to be served by the same waitress, whose name is Carol (Helen Hunt). Carol is actually the only one in the cafe who stands his constant outbursts and cruel comments. Melvin's daily routine changes through two events that end up affecting his life. First, his homosexual artist neighbor named Simon (Greg Kinnear) suffers an accident and Melvin unwillingly accepts to take care of his dog in his absence. Second, Carol's son, Spencer (Jesse James) gets ill and she quits her job. Not accepting the fact that Carol isn't there to serve him, Melvin tries to find her in order to restore order back to his life. These series of events force Melvin to change his routine and at the same time he forms an unlikely friendship with Carol and Simon proving that he isn't as bad as he seems to be.

The performances by each one of the talented actors are the heart and motor of this film. Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt share an incredible chemistry together. It's funny how despite never being able to share his feelings towards her and always saying the wrong things, it becomes clear that she does inspire him to become a better person. The supporting cast is also incredible here, especially Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr. who deliver several funny scenes. I was partial to Brooks's work considering I had only seen How Do You Know which didn't work for me and Spanglish which I did enjoy, but As Good As it Gets is without a doubt his best work thanks to an unbelievable cast. This is a smart and funny film, which also could be cruel at times, but it was well balanced. Despite the schmaltzy story it still worked thanks to the characters that carried this film. It's hard not to leave this film with a smile on your face.

My Review: Stuck in Love (5/10)

"Your sister is a great writer, and it's because she is courageous in life."

Stuck in Love is one of those movies that is a bit difficult to review because there is little positive or negative things I can say about it. It is not great, but it is not bad either, it is just an average indie rom-com that never managed to get me emotionally involved with the characters. I was a bit disappointed because the trailer for this film looked so good. It made me think this was going to be similar to The Squid and the Whale since it dealt with writers and divorce; and it could have been similar with the only difference that the kids in this film were older. But the script wasn't nearly up to par with that film. Stuck in Love lacked that slick and edgy humor. There were some interesting moments thanks to a very likable and strong cast, but at the end this film felt like another formulaic Hollywood rom-com with everything fitting together too neatly during the final Thanksgiving dinner scene. This is Josh Boone's directorial debut and he had an impressive cast to work with, but ultimately his script was the weakest link here. It wasn't a terrible film, it managed to capture the several different dynamics of love through the very different characters and their love interests, but it was all uninspiring at times and predictable.

The film introduces us to a modern day American family of writers, the Borgens. William (Greg Kinnear) is a successful writer who has spent the last 3 years of his life waiting for his ex-wife, Erica (Jennifer Connelly) to return. She left him for a younger man, and he often stalks her hoping she will one day come back to him. Their oldest daughter, Samantha (Lily Collins) hasn't been able to forgive her for it. She hasn't spoken with her mother and doesn't believe in love or relationships. She is outgoing and likes to hook up with guys, but avoids any kind of relationship because she knows how devastating heartbreaks can be. She sees it every day in her father's moping face. She has just finished writing her first novel and is getting it published. Her younger brother, Rusty (Nat Wolff), is also an aspiring writer who also happens to be a huge Stephen King fan. He isn't very popular at school, but falls for the very beautiful and outgoing Kate (Liana Liberato). She seems out of his league, but she is also looking for someone different who could help her get out of trouble. Following his father's advice, Rusty decides to take risks and experience more of life and so he begins to pursue Kate. Samantha on the other hand is being pursued by a helpless romantic named Lou (Logan Lerman) who believes in true love and is also a writer. The film focuses on these various family dynamics and how each relationship begins shaping their lives.

Greg Kinnear gives a strong performance as usual, playing the caring father who can't seem to get over his ex-wife's abandonment. He hasn't been able to write since and therefor can't move on with his life. He has a casual relationship with his married neighbor played by Kristen Bell, but the film really doesn't focus much on her character. Jennifer Connelly doesn't have much screen time either as her major concern deals with her trying to reestablish her relationship with her estranged daughter. The central characters are actually the young kids who surprised me with very strong performances. Lily Collins is very likable in her role here and you can't help but root for her and her love interest, Logan Lerman. They looked cute together. Collins plays Jennifer Connelly's daughter here and it is surprising how much they really lookalike. I had to check if they weren't actually related in real life. Despite their great performances, I thought the true standout here was Nat Wolff. He plays the insecure kid who is willing to take risks in order to conquer the girl of his dreams. There are some great moments in this film, but the uneven script cost this film and ultimately it just felt like another forgettable Hollywood rom-com.

My Review: The Last Song (5/10)

“Love is fragile, and we’re not always the best caretakers!”

(5/10) That is one of the many lines you will find in this movie and which you will probably find romantic or cliché. If you enjoyed this line, then you will like the movie, but if you didn´t then stay away from The Last Song because it is a very predictable romantic film. This movie is adapted from Nicholas Spark`s bestselling novel of the same name, and it is also the first film he adapted for the screen as well. Other of his novels have been adapted into films (Message in a Bottle, The Notebook, A Walk to Remember), but this is the first time he actually adapted one for the big screen. Julie Ann Robinson directed this movie, which to be honest I would have enjoyed more if the two main actors could actually act. The biggest failure of The Last Song was the casting, because the story was actually enjoyable if you get passed all the clichés. I can`t say I had a terrible time at the movies, but Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth really couldn`t carry their dramatic roles, and they were the leads. I really enjoyed Nicholas Spark`s The Notebook, but that film had two great lead actors with great chemistry and that is what The Last Song was missing. The story was decent and it has all the typical Spark elements (including the manipulative melodrama), but the casting didn`t work this time.

The story takes place in Tybee Island, Georgia. Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) is a seventeen year old who is going through a rebellious phase due to her parent`s divorce. Her mother, Kim (Kelly Preston) decides to send her and her little brother, Jonah (Bobby Coleman) to their father`s home in Tybee Island for the summer. Ronnie isn`t too excited about leaving New York City for the small beach town in Georgia, and she isn`t thrilled to see her dad, Steve (Greg Kinnear) either. Steve and Jonah get along really well and begin working on a project together, but his relationship with Ronnie isn´t good at all. Ronnie is a very talented musician and she has been accepted to Julliard, but she refuses to go and has stopped playing music since evidently she is upset at her parents for getting divorced. Her father was the one who had taught her to play the piano and this is her way of showing her discontent. Things will take an unexpected turn when Ronnie falls for a local teen named Will (Liam Hemsworth) who happens to come from a wealthy family, but has issues of his own to deal with.

The Last Song might be a much more entertaining experience if you read the novel, because the movie fails to deliver due to the two main characters, Miley and Liam, who don`t give credible performances. The roles I did enjoy, however, were Greg Kinnear as the father and Bobby Coleman as Jonah. Greg is a great actor and he delivered in every scene, while Bobby had some funny scenes and was very believable as well in his role. The setting of The Last Song was also ideal, the scenery was just beautiful and the atmosphere for the romance was set. If you enjoyed Nicholas Spark`s previous films then you will probably like this movie, although you will have to get past the fact that the two main characters are not very good actors. If you didn´t like his previous movies then you will want to stay away from this one, although I probably don`t have to tell you this. I actually enjoyed his previous films, but this one just didn`t deliver for me. I didn´t think it was a terrible film either, but it could have been much better.

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