Tag: Romance

THE LOVER (1992)

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Directed By: Jean-Jacques Annaud 

Written By: Jean-Jacques Annaud and Gerard Brach

Based on The Novel By: Marguerite Duras

Cinematography: Robert Fraisse 

Editor: Noelle Boisson 

Cast: Tony Leung, Jane March, Frédérique Meininger, Arnaud Giovaninetti, Melvil Poupaud, Lisa Faulkner, Jeanne Moreau

In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.

This is one of the more troublesome movies to watch now as even though it’s based on a classic novel, it still is a love story between an older Asian man and a young French girl. Watching the film we know that both actors are of age but the film is overly erotic, and both actors even being of age are extremely attractive.

So while full of sex. at heart, it tries to be a romance and shows how power, race, and class bring them together, but also pull them apart, as take advantage of the other in their own way. The film feels like a book textured with beautiful international yet a small story. That has heavy and strong ramifications.

I remember when this film came out as one of the first artistic erotic films I remember seeing. As the sex was graphic and realistic, rather than being exploited, it seems to come more from passion, romance, and love.

This would obviously be hard to make today one of the other aspects that was the appeal at the time was that there was an interracial romance on screen. Full of risky material that deals with racism as well as classism.

The rules were reversed as here was an Asian man who was more classy, and had money which he comes from, and her family is more poor, desperate, and savage, he seemed to pluck her off the streets and seduce her, and to a certain point her family despised him for being Asian do like the money that he spends.

The film has plenty of artistic touches that help the film flourish. The art direction is top-notch, and the main character is the defining, all-white suit that he wears throughout. 

The film also happened to be the jewel in the way to the brief film career of the actress, Jane March it was also her screen debut. She was unbelievably beautiful. She followed this film up with films like TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD and PROVOCATEUR and the infamous Hollywood bomb THE COLOR OF NIGHT. Though like her The scope of the film is beautiful to look at. She has continued to work over the years here and there, but never quite in a starring role. The biggest budgeted Hollywood film she was in recently was the remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS. 

By the end when it comes to the characters she is the one you won’t forget, and was hoping that Jane March would have a memorable acting career aside from this film, but she achieved one-and-done status (One-and-done is usually where an actor actress is so good, but they never ever act again, and are only defined by one role where they stay unforgettable maybe even that character to life so strongly that even when you look at pictures of them in real life, you still see more of the character than the actual actor Which can work for the film as in your mind it makes them more real) even as she appeared in a few other films. None were good one was more infamous and reputation so that leaves the one she truly shines in and shows so much promise.

I remember being pulled into this film and caring about the characters beyond the sex scenes I will admit that the first time one watched the cultural and political stuff went over my head. Though one can remember the lush Scenery and feeling like you are watching an escapade.

The film truly is a perverted story of a taboo romance that once was more common at the time based on a novel, luckily in the film, the girl is aged up a bit and shows her learning of the world through him, usually through the comfort that he can bring her.

Grade: B

FRESH HORSES (1988)

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Directed By: David Anspaugh 

Written By Larry Ketron 

Cinematography: Fred Murphy 

Editor: David Rosenbloom 

Cast: Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Ben Stiller, Patti D’Arbanville, Viggo Mortensen, Molly Hagan, Doug Hutchinson, Leon Rossom, Marita Geraghty 

A college student from Cincinnati breaks off his engagement to his wealthy fiancée after falling in love with a girl from Kentucky. She claims to be 20, but he learns she is actually only 16 and already married.

The film gets to buy on its reunion of the two stars, Andrew McCarthy, and Molly Ringwald, again, a rich boy, who falls for a girl, who is considered the wrong side of the tracks only hear her character is full of misfortune and mystery, rather than upwardly, mobile and spunky as well as early appearances of Ben Stiller, Viggo Mortensen, and Doug Hutchinson 

By the end of the whole affair comes off as distracting from his ultimate fate and destiny. A doomed romance that is part of growing up for these characters. 

Based on an off-Broadway play the film comes across more as having the substance of a 1950s melodrama which would also explain the film’s appeal to me, which is Molly Ringwald, her best and most luscious ever on screen, playing a romantic lead, becoming across more as a femme fatale, maybe it’s the color palette of her pale skin with her enhanced red hair and also Her at the time more an adult role in growing perfectly into it. Like a Greta Garbo or no not as voluptuous as Bridget Bardot.

So that her looks and appeal in this film come across as like a 1950s silver screen siren where the film is classic because of the beauty of the star in the role which truly shows that either they were becoming a movie star or a movie star but you can’t remember much story-wise or plotline about the film but you can probably remember where you were and how it felt when you first saw this image or saw this felt

After all most of the films that we consider classic because they’re so well remembered, but yet we can’t remember half of their stories unless you’re a true film aficionado, but you remember the stars because films were notoriously all around better back then, or consider to be made better, as the stars supposedly had to have all the talents of being able to sing, dance and we the stars on-screen charisma liability with their personality rather than necessarily they’re acting skills. 

However, it also feels like a film where she was trying to show a more adult and artistic side. Showing she had grown up to a degree. Something we commonly see with child stars who want to be seen in a new or different light and sometimes choose extreme roles in subpar films, for the opportunity. Though at this point she had already done THE PICK UP ARTIST and 

FOR KEEPS. This was the first of her films with a new look. A kind of rebirth though in familiar territory with an old co-Star 

This film would’ve been perfectly fine back in the day as it resides any emotions and tries to rely on acting ability, but comes across more basing itself on star quality in a romance story with a color palette that represents the season

So watching it feels like how some migrate to woodlands to see the changing of the color of the leaves. Here you’re watching the film to watch your favorite teen actors kind of grow up or play more adult roles and see if they can pass the test.

Wow, they perfectly do OK in their rules. It does feel like Molly Ringwald is a little Miss Cass. She looks the part but something is off that just doesn’t make her feel correct in the role. She does the best she can, but there seems to be a lack of an edge when it comes to her performance. Though again you will remember her looks or her look in the film. 

Then, again, maybe that’s me as it is what I remember most of why I wanted to see the film and why time the time I might come back to the film

Ultimately watch this film mainly if you’re a completist you like a good romantic tragedy, or you could think of it as a continuation of PRETTY IN PINK, but only in the aftermath.

I can admit, it’s not the greatest movie, and Andrew McCarthy was brought in late, but offered fans of PRETTY IN PINK. A kind of reunion of the two actors, obviously in a vastly different film and in a more adult playground, definitely more dramatic a little bit out of range from their usual roles. 

I will say that I saw the film based on that coupling and also based on Molly Ringwald, looking exquisite in the trailers in the posters and watching the film. I was not fully satisfied or disappointed. It’s just that the film was so cold and didn’t have the warmth nor was it that interesting. Keep in mind I saw this as a teenager so it was very boring and even watching it today. It’s very tepid It’s one of those. I don’t know exactly what the reason for all of this is but OK Storytelling.

It had higher hopes especially coming from the director David Anspaugh. Whose film before this was the hit movie HOOSIERS 

Grade: C- 

CAT PERSON (2023)

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Directed By: Susanna Fogel

Written By: Michelle Ashford

Based on the Short Story by: Kristen Roupenian

Cinematography: Manuel Billeter

Editor: Jacob Craycroft

Cast: Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, Geraldine Viswanathan, Isabella Rossellini, Hope Davis, Christopher Shyer, Liza Koshy, Fred Melamed, Donald Elise Watkins, Michael Gandolfini

When Margot, a college sophomore goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that IRL Robert doesn’t live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts. A razor-sharp exploration of the horrors of dating.

Well, I am a big fan of the short story and the book it’s part of I was looking forward to this film, and it’s no surprise, that your pails and comparison, and is ultimately a disappointment compared to the original short story, which is more ambiguous, and might be one of the short story strength or as this film it’s hard to be ambiguous, totally and keep the audience interested and engaged not saying it’s impossibleit’s just that that quality was not expressed.

In the third act, it seems like the filmmaker and film decided to make a thriller or add thriller elements to the film kind of making all the paranoia and awkwardness she felt before come true but also since it’s based on a short story, the first half of the film is based on that actual story, and this is more where the filmmaker decided to go, maybe as a narrative choice, or to start to make the film, seem conventional, taking some sort of inspiration from the movie adaptation, wherein the third act it’s questionable but it becomes more conventional

As before this, the film seems more like an alien, awkward romance between two awkward people, one just beginning their adult and one well in the middle of it, and not seeming to have any anchors 

This film, a modern generation film, that certainly could open up many conversations, especially in a battle of the sexes and dating would’ve been a bit more interesting, and a third act tries to break up the monotony of that, but feels right and wrong at the same time 

As you can see, both sides of the story, though it doesn’t allow itself to get there. Some of the behavior is so extreme that you can’t truly forgive it or give the character credit.

There is a challenging and interesting movie very deep inside here. Fortunately, it just doesn’t seem to be well. Translated as the film is kind of a chore at times to sit through as you feel it length throughout.

Some scenes do work, but they’re also scenes that you look forward to and should be highlights that seem to fall short the intimate evening, for instance, is one of them.

While it tries to be moody. It also seems to decide to be one-sided and then in the end broaden up its view but onto with a few details and still Makes her justified in her beliefs. 

The film delves into the paranoia and boundaries of modern dating from a woman’s perspective. Especially for a young woman who is not as seasoned making her way through the world. 

Though watching it, I kept thinking how much different or even better it might have been if this was made by a director like Todd Solodnz as it has a kind of coldness to it, but then again a sense of belonging or wouldn’t have been seen differently if Geraldine Viswanathan who plays the main characters best friend, had played the main role. Would the film then explore not only different sexes but also different cultures?

Isabella Rossellini doesn’t even really need to be in this movie. As her role comes off as a cameo and maybe a star name to add to the cast for a bigger budget. 

This could have been a defining movie though unfortunately it does itself in and sells itself short. As it dulls any sharpness it might have and makes the proceedings dull all around for the most part. 

Grace:  C-

SHORTCOMINGS (2023)

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Directed By: Randall Park 

Written By & Based On The Graphic Novel By: Adrian Tomine 

Cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez 

Editor: Robert Nassau 

Cast: Justin H. Min, Ally Maki, Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Jacob Batalon, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons

Follows a trio of young, Bay Area urbanites–Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim–as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.

This film is an anti-romantic comedy that is a breath of fresh air. As it is a movie after my own heart. Adapted from a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine 

The film offers a character-driven slice of life. That possesses a dry sense of humor. As it presents situations in the main character’s life. So that it feels more like a hangout movie. As we explore the character’s world, more witness his relationships.

How he complains and believes himself to be the victim always. Closing himself off from others and feelings in general. How he becomes his own worst enemy and slowly alienates others. Who actually wants to like him.

That ends up becoming a story of a kind of redemption or how a jerk finally wakes up to himself and his negative aura.

To give you an example of the main character imagine the worst film snob and magnify it as a personal outlook on most things. 

The film hits home as it is a reminder of sorts for one at a younger age. One would want to believe not as bad but plenty of aspects are personality. Though he is more successful relationship-wise and has more friends around him.

The film is dark-humored like a young Asian unsuccessful Larry David. Who you don’t root for or agree with. As we watch him go through interactions and her cross over and come to a head. 

The lead character is so Insufferable. Half of the entertainment is watching him fall off his high horse constantly. Especially as he starts to build any chances of hope. Then usually sabotages himself or his partners. Wake from any kind of charm ornament attention he was giving them.

This is the type of character who usually seems to be the hero of most relationship dramedies made by twenty-somethings. Whereas the world revolves around them and everyone else has the problem, not them.

Sherry Cola almost steals the whole film. Her character is reminiscent of her character in the film JOYRIDE only with more depth and sarcasm here. 

It’s nice to see the film take on racial politics but not be all about it and offer Asian American characters’ points of view and let them be more diverse and full.

Grade: B

BAD GUY (2001)

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Written & Directed By: Kim Ki-Duk

Cinematography: Chel-Hyeon Huang

Editor: Seong-Won Hang 

Cast: Cho Jae-Hyun, Won Seo, Yun-Tae Kim, Choi Deok-Moon, Yoon-Young Choi, Yoo-Jin Shin, Kim Jeong-Yeong, Min Nam-Keong 

An unfeeling gangster seeks to ruin the life of a young girl who rejected him. He forces her into prostitution and spies on her regularly, then he soon begins to fall for her.

Filmmaker, Kim Ki-Duk tends to make spiritual films that are love stories at heart. That sometimes can be character studies. 

Here with this early effort, he has made a disturbing romance of revenge that seems to test not only the character’s boundaries, but the audience as at first this film feels like it is born of shock, but reveals its softer edges amongst the chaos 

Where it feels like a dramatization of the psychology of someone caught in  Stockholm syndrome, or how a pimp unconventionally raptures a victim, to become a prostitute only here more against her will, and likes to watch her, but never dares to get intimate with her himself, nor really even touch or punisher, except for an initial case before this all started

His victimization of her at first feels like him trying to get back at her. The strange thing is that he dooms her to this lifestyle, though he doesn’t like to see her take any pleasure or pleasure. As she truly starts to succumb to her environment the lifestyle becomes second nature tour. Still, they build a bond through all the heartbreaks and interactions. 

There is plenty to go through, including her other suitors, including her managers, who begin to fall for her and try to help her escape. When she wants to though she realizes she has no one and nowhere to go back to, even if she did what would her future be 

This is where some questions when it comes to this film because she’s not long lost. She’s not that far from home it’s more the condition. She’s practically enslaved to pay off debt, and she ends up, making the best out of a messed up situation where the bond is seen more that she needs him more or less not necessarily to survive, but to make sense and have someone still feel something for her, other than lust.

At this point, she seems to forget all that she really knows and only knows this lifestyle but no one from her old life wanders and wonders where she is, and even when she does try to escape, she can’t think of where she’s going to go or what she’s going to do as her reputation is more in the dirt, because of debt, and stealing rather than prostitution.

The film also focuses on what seems to be his bad influence on others, that he seems to survive, but others seem like they tend to pay even though it is their own actions the only truly bad she has done is enslaving her, and all he shows kind of indifference Even when dealing with other gangsters who react violently toward him. It sets up many places to investigate side characters but stays only focused on the two leaves..

So while the film wants you to care about these characters, it’s very hard when the film seems to be brutal and very misogynistic for little to no reason. Now Wallet allows him to experiment into the very nature and different sides of love, even the unfair ones. It still comes across as disappointing in the end. luckily the filmmaker’s films became universally appealing.

Though maybe the movie is truly about these functional relationships we can criticize all we want, but we will never truly understand them. What makes them work what makes the people in them desire to stay together and be dependent on one another they have their reasons that only they understand, and in the end only make sense to themselves, maybe that’s the whole point of this film that no matter how angry disappointed we get it’s not meant for us to understand it just happens and this is a presentation of it.

Grade: C+

PAST LIVES (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Celine Song

Cinematography: Shabier Kirchner

Editor: Keith Fraase 

Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro 

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.

For a film that can be so romantic. It is ultimately a film about heartbreak. 

The film has a cinematic beginning of what if. That ends up answering all the questions that the opening scene raises and gives the answers a lot more depth. It does give the film an initial memory that is replayed later, but it is also the only part of the film that feels a bit more pandering and conventional. 

The film is a story that should be a two-hander. The films to will remind you of usually are such as the BEFORE trilogy (BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET, BEFORE MIDNIGHT) and other romantic films such as SUMMERTIME, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. That usually takes place in foreign locales. To paint a view of being a visitor or an outsider exploring the terrain or make the audience feel that way.

Here the film does take place in a few foreign locales but rarely explores them. As it is more interested in exploring the character’s motivations, emotions, and decisions. 

Which is what works in its favor as it has its own vibe. While staying reminiscent of those other films. If it had followed suit it would have been fine. There are many ways to tell a story. Just make sure you tell it well and to the best of your ability. 

These films are usually told through conversations. This film is similar but more is said by what the characters don’t say and through gazes, looks, body language, and actions. Films were a bit more common when I was younger and indie cinema was seen as the cream de la creme. Now these types of films are a rarity and it’s no wonder why such praise is heaped upon them. 

This film takes place over time, over decades but mainly a few days in their lives, And while it is a small story. It is an emotional minefield that stays subdued but feels bigger than it is letting on. Ultimately it involves fate and the future, but the past is important as it gives the modern definition. 

The film shows the grace and beauty of Greta Lee in a star-making lead performance. Showing her great range as I primarily remember her from the movie SISTERS, where she played a more comedic over-the-top role. Here you can’t help but fall for her. You see what the other characters surrounding her see.

This is a film where it’s relatable to the audience. As it is about that person who got away and wonders what could have been. It also might remind people of that special friend they grew up with and not only what happened to them, but why they never really got together. 

Everything through the film has a subtlety but is devastating. It feels like a testament to things never truly said or spoken. As the characters dance around, just to get to the heart of the matter and moments. 

Grade: A- 

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (2016)

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Directed By: Kirk Jones

Written By: Nia Vardalos

Cinematography: Jim Denault

Editor: Mark Czyzewski

Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Elena Kampouris, Gia Carides, Louis Mandylor, Alex Wolff, Joey Fatone, Bess Meisler, Rita Wilson, John Stamos, Rob Riggle, Mark Margolis, Ian Gomez, Bruce Gray, Jayne Eastwood

Still working in her parents’ Greek restaurant, Toula Portokalos’ daughter, Paris, is growing up. She is getting ready to graduate high school and Toula and Ian are experiencing marital issues. When Toula’s parents find out they were never officially married, another wedding is in the works. Can this big, fat, Greek event help to bring the family together?

It could be the fact that before this film a few year earlier Nia Vardalos tried to turn this into a franchise with a follow up television series 

Considering they tried s sitcom after the first film this feels like they just took story threads or ideas from there and tried to make a movie with a framing device and theme

As this film feels all over the place, like it want the audience to be updated on the families notice after all these years with her other film Connie and Carla not doing well wanted a guaranteed hit

It’s a feel good film with no real stakes. so while it’s nice to see the characters again they are left with little to nothing to really do as we just enjoy and laugh at their antics

The fil m can be considered fun for those who l led the original

Though the first film was better content wise as it had a love story and a story of self Confidence. That was familiar and well structured and could be identifiable by mining a culture under represented and giving them representation even with it’s stereotypes that come off as loving

It might have been seen as a clash in as the audience for the first film has come of age and are dealing with their teenage children and the prospect of them leaving the nest. So again a bit updated and identifiable for that generation 

The problem is as familiar as the first film was; this one jsit feels generic. A script that tries to have a best of or greatest hits quality to it’s scenes the first film the characters came off as quirky here they come off more as caricatures of their former selves playing it more for laughs. 

You could say that this feels like a victory lap. While it keeps it’s innocence and a little charm. That keeps it safe 

Grade: C 

DECISION TO LEAVE (2022)

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Directed By: Park Chan-Wook

Written By: Park Chan-Wook & Chung Seo-Kyung

Cinematography: Kim Jo-Yong

Editor: Kim Sang-Beom

Cast: Park Hae-il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung-Hyun, Go Kyung-Pyo 

From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man’s wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.

One of the most romantic movies ever or at least in quite a while.  It is more of a romance where the lead characters absolutely can’t be with one another yet works as a romance.  where they try to deny their feelings while falling even harder maybe because of the lack of total communication but constantly watching each other.

It’s almost like dating with a constant mind game and never a full revelation of feelings, but there is something there. They keep not only bringing themselves together, but circumstances at times force them to and to kind of chase each other. 

Though here not trying to fall in love and that is usually when it finds you or you find that one that makes you feel it. 

So that like early in love any moment or chance you get seems mystical, magical, and has meaning. 

There is plenty of lust there but it seems to be more about longing.

Now put all of that and surround it in a detective story a film noir with stylish touches and a little violence but no sex, eroticism, or even any real action. Like the characters the film and story are so restrained it almost feels like a period piece. Though the camerawork and direction are top notch. 

It feels like a thriller but one with more emotions. You wonder if she is only trying to seduce him to get away with her crimes and that for the detective she is not only an escape but a mystery herself that he can’t figure out which is a challenge and slowly makes him lose it. 

But you feel destroyed by the end as you want the two characters to be together. So that it stays fully captivating. Though like a good story and a good book it moves at its own pace. Sometimes faster than you expect but also slower. Never quite a constant.

The film is like poetry, you recognize the beauty but it’s hard to explain. As hopefully you just feel it.

Grade: A-

AS TEARS GO BY (1988)

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Directed By: Wong Kar Wai

Written By: Jeffrey Lau and Wong Kar Wai Cinematography: Andrew Lau

Editor: Bei-Dak Cheong and Kit Wai Kai

Cast: Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, Jacky Cheung, Alex Man, Ronald Wong 

Mid-level gangster Wah falls in love with his beautiful cousin, but must also continue to protect his volatile partner-in-crime and friend, Fly.

Melodramatic as it has a bit of the story of the movie MEAN STREETS mixed with a crime thriller. MEAN STREETS Also dealt with a coming-of-age story and a romance that seemed clandestine yet forbidden. While also being involved in a crime syndicate of sorts with a hot-headed friend who seems to always get them both into hot water. 

Just like Martin Scorsese, you can see director Wong Kar Wai’s Style breaking out. Yet a little stuck with a mainstream Story to get more of an audience to watch. The crime thriller elements will be exciting but the heart of the film Is more in the romance and it allows the lead to be tough and sensitive. 

Watching this film is like watching an artist trying his skills in a more conventional Mainstream Movie. He certainly Raises the material higher than it deserves.

The film is definitely of its time period. The 1980’s represented mainly on the soundtrack as usual.

Wai Chooses a familiar American song TAKE MY BREATH AWAY and gives it new depth in a Cantonese version.

Like his later Films there is a love story thrown in that ends up being the film’s heart. Not to mention ensures an emotional investment. As after all within most stories, there is that element instead of focusing on the more violent side of life. Instead, he is interested in showing relationships and what drives them. To show where strength and honor lie.

The film is a cautionary tale on one end and nihilistic. It takes both main characters’ relationships seriously and gives them the same depth. Only one is physically intimate. The other one is loving but troublesome. 

As he is more successful in romance and moves further. On the other end That is how deep into Trouble he And his little brother get into until It gets to the point of no return the third act has to do with proving oneself and machismo  That is Almost like a reminder. This is supposed to be a gangster film

Grade: B-

SLEEP WITH ME (1994)

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Directed By: Rory Kelly 
Written By: Duane Dell’Amico, Roger Hedden, Neal Jimenez, Joe Keenan, Rory Kelly and Michael Steinberg  Cinematography: Andrzej Sekula
Editor: David Moritz 

Cast: Eric Stoltz, Meg Tilly, Craig Sheffer, Lewis Arquette, Todd Field, Parker Posey, Vanessa Angel, Susan Traylor, Dean Cameron, Thomas Gibson, Joey Lauren Adams, June Lockhart, Adrienne Shelly, Alexandra Hedison, Quentin Tarantino 

Sarah, Joseph, and Frank are BFFs. Joseph and Sarah get married but the evening before she tells Frank with a kiss that it could’ve been him. Frank continues to have a thing for Sarah.

Six different writers wrote a scene each of this romantic comedy featuring the marriage and turbulent relationship of Joseph and Sarah, with Joseph’s best friend Frank trying hard to cope with letting the love of his life marry his best friend. An interesting experiment though it might also explain why it

Seems like a bit of a mess. That seems endless and single-focused. After a while it feels like small talk, about a lot of things said but nothing of any depth that can be called interesting. It might have worked better as a play. 

A 1990’s relationship drama with some very little comedy thrown in. It seemed dated even when it came out. It feels like a dramatic episode of the television show FRIENDS.

The film involves a group of friends who are all married and/or in serious relationships and only seem to hang out with each other. They are still young and hip with no kids in sight. 

So, of course, they have only one friend who is single and this film Explores all the different couplings in relationships. The one that gets the most attention is Meg Tilly who is usually a joy to see on screen. As she is rather obscure. Whose character is engaged to Eric Stoltz’s character. Who is kind of a ladies’ man whose best friend, played by Craig Sheffer with some Ill-advised facial hair and even worse hippie wardrobe is in love with Tilly’s character and she knows it.

She comes across as cruel because she knows yet every time he brings a date to their get-together. She interrogates and then insults them. 

When she suspects her fiancé of cheating she sleeps with Sheffer’s character out of spite and when he thinks they have started a relationship she begins to feel bad and have feelings. When Eric finds out and informs her he didn’t cheat. So now the two guys are competing for her. 

Imagine the Andrew McCarthy-Ally Sheedy-Judd Nelson love triangle from ST ELMO’S FIRE. Only if Nelson didn’t cheat and it was the main part of the movie, only more dramatic and you are on the same page as this film. 

The film tries to be a broad comedy type of movie played subtly seriously. It comes across as a bunch of self-important characters. Who think they are cool but aren’t coming to grips with growing up and making it seem more dramatic and meaningful than it actually is.

It’s a shame as the film has a good cast and could have really been good under better circumstances. 

Somehow here the direction just seems to drain all the fun and interest out of not only the scenes but the characters. The script seems fine if not indulgent and self-important. 

One only wishes for a more skilled director. Who could have better handled the material and made the scenes a little more vivid and exciting. At least give it a kind of sense of humor about itself. 

Maybe also allowing the film to be more of an ensemble and not focus so much on the leads and give the side characters more nuance and more to do. So the love triangle could have been more of a side caper or we see how it affects the dynamics of everyone in the group. 

After a while though it seems Like every woman throws themselves at Stoktz’s character. This is easy to see when Sheffer’s Comes off more as creepy and he is the single available one. Who seems to mess up any chance he has with other women. While Stoltz’s Character is already married has nothing to lose. As he already has a wife. So he can talk to these women without seeming like he wants to bed them Or looking for something. Which in turn seems to make him a challenge for them 

The only true noteworthy scene is the cameo by writer-director Quentin Tarantino giving a rant or his theory on how the movie TOP GUN is really a movie about a man’s struggle with his homosexuality. (This was before the internet introduced many people’s wild outlandish film and television theories)

In fact, that is one of the only reasons I watched it. The other is Eric Stoltz and Parker Posey, actors I am a huge fan of. 

GRADE: D+