wsherrett-677-936271
I've always liked Cameron Crowe's movies. Not a big fan of Tom Cruise, but whatever. So, the New York Times reviewer got it right, give the guy credit for trying to open up the romcom format. I'm writing this 13 years after the movie's release, and you may notice that there are over 500 reviews of this film here. The only rap on the film I would go along with would be Orlando Bloom's wooden acting, but using him rather than a big name star may have been the deciding factor in getting the film made. And it only helps to highlight Kirsten Dunst's energetic performance.After the box office tanking of Vanilla Sky, Cameron may have chosen to turn his experience into a movie, which has been the pattern in his writing career from the beginning. The opening segment borrows heavily from Blake Edward's S.O.B., a 1981 comedy from a writer-director with a similar career arc. And the supporting cast is populated by interesting people like Judy Greer and Louden Wainwright, one advantage of being a Hollywood insider with many friends. The story sails along after that opening bit towards the (spoiler) happy ending with a completely unpredictable sequence of encounters. Any instances of conflict over family issues are resolved with rounds of laughter. I would have edited out much of Susan Sarandon's role, but that's about the only critical thing I can come up with. Favorite line: "Is there such a thing as partial cremation?"
Kings_Requiem
I watched it a couple nights ago and its still on my mind. Cameron Crowe movies have a habit of doing that to me...I'll watch them, then days, sometimes weeks later I find myself still thinking about them. I'm not sure if I'd call myself a Cameron Crowe fanboy, but I have either liked or loved all of his movies that I've seen. There is a lot in this movie that I love and a lot that I don't. Basically anytime Kirsten Dunst was on screen the movie was just on a completely different level. She is so great and even made me stop thinking about how weak Orlando Bloom was in comparison. A lot of the other stuff though with Bloom going back home and dealing with his family mostly fell flat for me. Some very small moments with the family are good, but overall those parts do nothing except slow the movie down. If this movie had just been focused on Bloom and Dunst and how their situation was gonna play out, then this may very well have ended up being Crowe's 3rd masterpiece in my eyes. Another fantastic thing about it is the music. Cameron Crowe is a genius when it comes to picking songs for his movies. Each song is perfectly placed and adds so much depth and emotion. Even if you hate his movies...the general consensus is always that the music was the best part. Also one of the best endings in recent memory. For my money at least. Thinking about now even days after and it still makes me smile. Just so great. All in all I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. This is definitely gonna be one that I revisit frequently in the future and I imagine my appreciation for it will only grow.
denis-colak
I am not surprised why so many people gave negative comments on this movie. It is so much more deeper than it looks and most people didn't even get that. It's a story about a man who never taste happiness and spent his years working neglecting himself. And this movie is his journey towards figuring himself out, finding that happiness is within. it is a very bitter sweet movie.. Just read the quotes you can see the bitter sweetness of it. I love the acting the music it was all very matched. It is also about being lonely and listening your own voice which most of us forget due to what we think we should do instead "working". Cameron Crowe is a genius and too much for most people.
AsifZamir
Elizabethtown starts out with Drew getting fired from his job because of his design of a shoe that turns out to be flawed (basically destroying the company he works for), and his current girlfriend ends their relationship (typical). He ends up almost committing suicide, but fortunately that doesn't happen, and he goes to Elizabethtown because his father passed away. On the way to Elizabethtown he meets outgoing and adventurous stewardess Claire, who bumps him up to first class and in turn they develop a friendship that eventually leads to a romance. Drew brings his father's favourite blue suit with him as requested but much to everyone's chagrin he has his father cremated according to his mother's wishes, and tries to recant, but by then it is too late. Drew ends up going on a road trip adventure (which is probably why I love this movie so much) which heals his heart.
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