A Lot Like Love

My favorite part of this movie was the pack of prepubescent girls sitting in front of me at the theater. In fact, I don't think anything adds to the atmosphere quite like ten giggling, obnoxious teenage girls. I wonder if they'll show up for Star Wars as well...

Anyway, you might be wondering how I could possibly give this movie three stars, because the previews make it look like another of those insipid chick flicks. As it turns out, the previews don't do it justice and in fact misrepresent what this movie is really about. I recommend it if you're in the mood for something light, reasonably funny and not too sappy with the romance.

Emily (Amanda Peet) and Oliver (Ashton Kutcher...AGAIN) have a chance meeting while visiting New York and spend an entire day together in the city. But, despite mutual chemistry, they leave without ever expecting to see each other again. Quite obviously, they do see each other again, but only after several years have gone by, and again, only for one day. This is basically the entire premise of the movie--they see each other for one day, yet circumstances don't permit them to pursue the relationship they both want. The first time they meet each other, Emily has just gotten dumped by her guitar-playing boyfriend, which sets us up for the fact that each time they will meet in the future, one of them will have just gone through a horrible breakup. There's also some bit about three strikes, or whatever, but the basic problem is that Oliver lives in San Francisco while Emily lives in L.A. Oliver also has this grand plan for his career before he can think about getting into a serious relationship. Emily is just, you know, chillin.

In the end, there's nothing that special about this movie, but I liked the characters and I liked the light, sometimes comical tone that the movie maintained. The end is extremely predictable, but what movie of this nature isn't these days? Amanda Peet is fun as is her character, and Ashton Kutcher does his usual thing. You won't leave with anything to think about, no grand revelations, etc... But, you will leave in a good mood. Especially if you're a teenage girl. Apparently, you'll find this movie absolutely hysterical, it will have you laughing for ten minutes straight in frenzied giggle fits.

Despite this, even those of us who are not teenage girls can still enjoy this movie. Although, maybe not quite to the extent possible.