I saw it for the first time as an inflight movie and caught a few minutes of it this weekend. I can't get over just how bad this movie is. Everything about it from the script to the casting to the ridiculous scenes with Susan Sarandon. I was secretly hoping that the movie would end up in a bloodbath.
share
Wow, I must agree with the OP on how bad this film is! I was actually looking forward to watching it, as the plot sounded compelling, the cinematography looked good in previews, and I like Kirsten Dunst.
But even she couldn't save this 'everywhere-to-nowhere' film. The plot is ALL OVER THE PLACE, as is the inane dialogue. I couldn't figure out what this film was trying to say. And Orlando Bloom is OK looking, but he can't act his way out of a paper bag. He is nearly one-note throughout the whole film, and his facial expressions never seem to match the mood of the scene!
And it dragged and dragged and dragged...at 2 hrs+ it was way overlong.
The ending was predictable, and even the usually-good Susan Sarandon was seriously miscast here. What was she even doing in this story? Learning to dance? To cook? She acted awfully here, even Kirsten Dunst was not up to par. Too many teeth, not enough coherent story.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."
I both hated and liked this film. Orlando I thought was likeable and at times moving. But also wooden.
Somewhere in the script there was an idea that had merit, but what Crowe turned out was so DAMN ANNOYING to me. Clare was a freaking LEECH and most men would have run away as fast as possible.
That road trip had potential, and did capture the contemplative, reflective state one can experience driving cross-country -- but the map was so freaking stupid, so overdone, so impossible. Timed to the minute? GAG ME.
Did people who liked this movie also like Love Actually? Two cloying, overdone movies which could have used an editor with an axe before they ever started filming.
And what about the huge house Claire owns? A 20-something flight attendant?
And yes, I have lost multiple family members in far more wrenching circumstances than those depicted in this movie. So maybe Drew would have been gobsmacked enough to respond to Claire --- but actually, no, he would not have. Her character was a disaster that only a man with some weird personality trait which I can't identify could have written.
Cameron Crowe should be spanked and locked in a room for five years before being allowed anywhere near a movie set again. I don't know what he's done since then. I guess I'll check.
I decide to watch the flick every once in a while (I also caught it in theatres) and I still like it. The film is what Kristen Dunst's character refers to as 'an ice cream cone', something sweet and simple that you forget after a little while. The film is so sweet I may get diabetes from repeat viewings over time, but I like the chemistry of the two characters, growing up in a similar small town I was able to connect to the setting, the film has an amazing soundtrack, it's well shot, and when it matters, the comedy and the touching moments work well (the road trip at the end still gets me every time).
The film isn't art, or libel to be on the top 100 anything anytime soon. But for two hours, I smile and forget about any worries or problems on my mind. I'm entertained, and really sometimes that's all a film needs to do.
[email protected]
I can't believe they showed this piece of *beep* as an inflight movie. Weren't they worried about audience members walking out on it?
shareI wholeheartedly agree.Just awful!
shareI just recently watched this movie after I stumbled across it at a yard sale. I bought it for three reasons: Cameron Crowe directed it, some great actors are in it, and I only payed a quarter which means I wasn't losing much even if it was terrible. I think hate is a strong word for Elizabethtown, I thought it was okay as a sweet, middle of the road rom-com. I will say it is my least favorite Crowe movie I've seen- I love Fast Times, Singles, and Say Anything and regard Almost Famous as one of the best movies ever made. The best part of this movie was the soundtrack, which again for Crowe isn't one of his best. I didn't mind the road trip, as unrealistic as it was, the cover of Fleetwood Mac was the highlight for me (as well as that ridiculous "listening" video for the kids). I don't really mind how overall unrealistic this movie is, because movies are not always realistic and I accept that as a valid argument, but I do think Crowe was going for something grounded in reality and could have tried harder to create characters and situations that audiences can better relate to. What I really didn't like was all the unnecessary characters and scenes in this movie. Susan Sarandon and Alec Baldwin are both wasted talents in this film, and I think both roles, if they were included, would have been better played by unknowns. Sarandon's character is like a tasteless stand-up comedian at the funeral, and the rendition of Free Bird left a bad taste in my mouth. The insincere acting especially from Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst is the biggest problem- I know both can act as many of my favorite movies feature Dunst- but their performances in Elizabethtown are cringe worthy. Their lines are cheesy and delivered with no emotion, they may look cute together but there is no real spark between them on screen. Also, I live in Kentucky and I was almost insulted by Dunst's accent in this movie. The film has a few good moments, but mostly tries too hard and ends up insulting the viewer's intelligence. I had always looked forward to seeing this movie and was let down; but then again I'm not a huge fan of romantic-comedies so I can at least try to appreciate the quirky/indie approach Crowe was going for. My advice- Go watch 500 Days of Summer instead.
shareI liked this movie - but some things just didn't work for me. I thought Orlando Bloom was really, really awful. His acting made me cringe at times. Kirsten Dunst on the other hand was fine in this movie. The last half hour of this movie was way better than the first half.
shareI really loved it. It's like a fairy tale for depressed young adults or something like that. I'm a creative person, so indeed I could enjoy both the fantasy and the tough reality moments.
Maybe it's something cultural from people of USA, I don't know. I think "Almost Famous" and "Singles" are overrated (in special the first one), and don't make me go to "Vanilla Sky", terrible failed remake of a great spanish movie, "Abre Los Ojos".
Please excuse my terrible redaction, english is not my native language.
I'm amused when someone is a self professed "creative person". I bet you also describe yourself as "quirky" too.Under 25 years of age I'm guessing?
shareSomeone can say they are creative. *beep* off and stop being so pretentious.
Creative infers you create things. Movies, art, writing, etc.. All those are not too far fetched.
[deleted]
I couldn't agree more. I still can't believe that Cameron Crowe had anything to do with a movie this awful.
shareI continue to be flummoxed by people that for whatever reason thought a film was a waste of their time, and then spend MORE of their time coming to the IMDB to tell the rest of us!
There are 100+ replies to your post, I won't be reading them, nor will I ever see another post from you.
Thank you "Ignore User" button!
Perhaps the OP just wants to reach out for some sense of community.