Love In An Open Field

So it seems that spring is in the air. Summer romance flicks abound and instead of fighting it why not take a DoubleFeature Friday to have a look at some of this summer's selection. I know it's not Friday... but as the power went out yesterday we'll have to make an adjustment. So here it is Tripleplay Saturday aka The Summer of Love in a Field.



Ya got me, there's no field in 500 Days of Summer, but it still looks like the best romantic comedy for 20-35 year olds since High Fidelity... and a lot of people have filtered in an out of that group since 2000. Well, to all the new members welcome, and to those of you retuning for year 15 welcome back. It's been a long time since I've been interested in a romcom. The trailer works for a number of reasons but we only have time for 2, Joesph and Zooey. They just feel right. They look like a couple, and sound like a couple, and even if they're totally different people, which I doubt, they're talented enough actors that I don't question them for a second, unlike say Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner, or Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The indie soundtrack, and the emphasis that's placed on it, should add to the "nostalgia" or increase whatever nostalgia you can get out of a group who've only cared about girls for 10-15 years. In the end there's no denying it, 500 Days looks like the perfect movie for you and that girl your kind of seeing... unofficially. I mean, we're still young.



I'd equate The Time Traveler's Wife to Spanglish without the humor, or No Reservations having a child with Jumper, then leaving Jumper for Click. The premise could be interesting, and acting could be decent, but it's a real 50/50. Bana and McAdams each have a touch and go history of middling to solid performances. The writing looks sappy as hell, but it's a trailer and we should applaud their honesty because I doubt the movie is gonna end with many dry eyes. The fact that TTTW was a best selling novel means it could be 2009's The Notebook, but I doubt it. This one will have to wait for it's HBO release before I see it but I'll have a box of tissues just in case it gets a little dusty (shout to Filmspotting).



I'm a sucker for reinvention. I love when directors find new ways to use a talented actor who, maybe, has fallen out of favor. Such is the case with Michelle Pfeiffer in Cheri. Other than the possibility of a revival performance, though I was the one fan of StarDust, why does Cheri look many light years better than TTTW? Simple, the writing looks dry and smart, funny and seductive, and in short spot on ol' chappy. And then there's the acting. While Bana and McAdams are decent, Pfeiffer and Kathy Bates are splendid, not to mention Rupert Friend, fresh off the much lauded over The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The trailer looks beautifully whimsical and bitterly funny. Pfeiffer's best characters have always been unrelenting, a hardened, uncompromising, unapologetic beauty. She looks softer in the trailer, but I think it's to disguise because she sounds a sharp as ever. In fact, this might not be a reinvention as much as reintroduction... in which case, glad to meet you again Ms. Pfeiffer it's good to have you back.