MovieChat Forums > What Love Is (2007) Discussion > An honest review of What Love Is...

An honest review of What Love Is...

posted 17 years ago by mmaureenn-1
33 replies | jump to latest

Phew... after reading these threads I feel compelled to qualify my integrity by stating that I am not an investor, I am not personally associated with the production company, I know nothing about Sundance (other than what I've read here), I don't know or care about any business practices of the principals involved, and this is my first post here. Mostly because I Googled the movie to find out if it had been released yet and discovered this site. I thought I would read intelligent, thought-provoking reviews of this movie and was kind of disappointed with all of the cat-fighting going on. *sigh* Now, for my personal opinion:

Admittedly, I was put off at the beginning of the movie - it had the feel of a play. It was a bit dialogue-y (is that a word? *grin*) and reminded me a bit of a live sitcom. However, once the characters were introduced and the plot outlined it began to draw me in. I thought it was well-written and pretty funny at times. Most of the characters were believable... I wasn't fond of the gay guy (he seemed a bit over-played) but his character lent some excitement and humor to the room. Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Matthew Lillard stood out in the cast, the female roles took a back seat somewhat, but this is definitely not a chick flick... it's a man's movie. The cinematography was very interesting and a boon to the story line... it was Tarentino-esque, in that it played a role in the delivery. I get the whole "Breakfast Club" reference, although the only similarity is that the film revolves around a single set. The ending, which I won't give away here, was unexpected and left me wondering what happens next. Not a bad thing, either... it was food for thought.

All in all, I do not see this film sweeping the Academy Awards, but it is an enjoyable, entertaining change of pace from the same old formula love story. Definitely worth seeing.

I hope this review helps those interested in information about watching this film, rather than investing in it.

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[–] mmaureenn-1 17 years ago

It should be obvious by my comments that I have indeed seen this film. How, when or where is my business, and perhaps that of the producers. But certainly not anyone's here. As stated in a post below, the breakfast club reference was taken from a thread on this site. Which I took the time to read before posting. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, including negative ones.

I don't ask that anyone agree with me. Just don't attack me. The fact that I enjoyed this particular movie is not a crime. I left what I believe to be an honest review of this film, from my perspective. You are entitled to an opinion, as am I. It's a movie... how is that personal? (Rhetorical question, please do not answer. Please.)

So, for anyone curious about the validity of any of the comments posted here... I suggest you see the movie and come to your own conclusion.

Have a nice day!

[–] storyteller1957 17 years ago

mmaureen,

My day is better for getting to hear another real opinion on "What Love Is". Thank you for posting and I am sorry that the cat fight (you are generous) came to your door. (From the tone of your posts I don't think you are going to let any of them ruin your day.)

Anyone who has seen the movie would not doubt, from what you have written, that you also have seen it. Not because you liked it or didn't but because you can describe elements of it with some subjective accuracy.

I am curious, you called it a man's movie but from your post name I would guess female. Either way, one that you think would be primarily interesting to men? Or do you merely mean that the male roles are more at the forefront as you indicated?

So from begining to end which character surprised you most?

[–] mmaureenn-1 17 years ago

Yes, I am quite the femme... My reasoning behind the "man's movie" comment comes less from the predominantly male characters, and more from the predominantly male characterization of the story line. Much of the humor reminded me of what men say when women aren't in the room (lest our feminine sensibilities become offended); which makes sense, considering that women aren't in the room much of the time. *grin*

Moreover, the story unfolds (and ends) in a manner that is unlike the female perspective. If this were a chick-flick, Cuba's character would have been properly chastised during this experience, he would have begged his woman to stay, and everyone would live happily everafter. I found it an interesting "change of pace" because it didn't happen that way. I think men will identify with this character's ability to "take the high road", so to speak, and not compromise his integrity by giving in to his need for companionship. We women are overindulged by movies in which the man inevitably gives in to his libido and the woman waxes victorious.

As to the character which surprised me most... Matthew Lillard's. I think I just type-cast him as "sensitive", which he was not. Within the story line, Cuba's character... as stated above. My favorite character was the married guy. He was a great catalyst for the humor in this movie and he seemed the most integrated in his role. I don't really remember much about Sean Astin's character (in fact, I totally forgot about him).

And, thus, I submit my humble opinion.

[–] storyteller1957 17 years ago

HA, and women say men 'aren't present' much of the time. *giggle*

I have heard comments that one thing women like about the movie is that they get to hear some of what men say when they (women) are not around.

You sound like you don't appreciate a story line that lets a woman fall in to bed with the nearest man of interest, even knowing better, sow a few wild oats, and then 'realize her mistake' and receive instant forgiveness from the good man that she should grow old with. Of course this works in movies because the man watching also hopes that his unrequited love will come to her senses in real life as well.

(Note, for those of have not seen WLI the above is not a discussion of the movie plot line but mmaureenn (sticky keyboard?) is right that it is a 'change of pace'.)

I also like Ken (the married guy). And his wife...... Now there is a relationship!

By the end of the movie I was wondering if I had missed something when I first 'met' Amy.

Sometimes humble opinions are the most noble presentation.

[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

To the OP and mmaureenn..............You both made very interesting post on this movie. I finally saw a guy's point of view, boy are these films rare. guys being truthful of women some of it was over the top. There was a lot of complimentary lines for women from a couple of the guys so it wasn't all women bashing. Then there were the women who were just as bad as the guys with downing men as the guys were downing the women in fact they were just as bad at going over board with there comments as well.

[–] Discogodfather9622 17 years ago

i saw this movie as well. I saw it on Jan 24th at a bar called Harry O's. And to be fair the movie sucked. It was boring. And to see that everyone is yelling at philly for not of seeing it there, well she must of. Cause she did say she saw it on the 24th in park city, and that is where harry o's is. So everybody come off it!

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[–] ladybug321 17 years ago

Always planned on seeing this movie, all the arguments going on here hasn't changed my opinion. From the trailer it looks interesting, plus some really good actors are in it.

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I troll, therefore I am.

[–] DrewScott66 17 years ago

mmaureen1, there's an unusual familiarity to your text choices,i.e. *sigh* thing ,*grin*,etc.i know i'm off topic but
....hmmm.any way i'm using my real name here so no diatribe just courious how the film's doing.best of luck,big sky people.dee bee
2064987

[–] SakeDickens2006 17 years ago

Yeah can't wait to see Matthew Lillard in a movie again.

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[–] SakeDickens2006 17 years ago

Too bad, one role I would've loved to see him in though is Onizuka in GTO.

[–] manda_panda_7702 17 years ago

I figured since this was one of the pretty decent movie reviews of this film on thhis board I would ask in this thread.

I'm a Shiri fan and would like to know more about the character she plays in this film, what characters she interacts with, pretty much about her role. She plays Debbie in the movie.

If anyone who has seen the movie can tell me that would be really great.

[–] storyteller1957 17 years ago

I think in other posts people have mentioned that the most memorable scene for Debbie is when she is alone with Tom (Cuba) and she has some kind and reassuring words for him around his current situation.

She is also a part of the 'girl talk' with a group of girls talking about how they think about men and their relationships with them.

Those are the scenes that stand out in a fast paced movie and I look forward to going back to see again how her character develops.

I am not familiar with Shiri other than this but I can not imagine that someone who likes her will not enjoy this role.

[–] manda_panda_7702 17 years ago

Storyteller1957

Thanks for responding. :)

[–] Caprice2008 17 years ago

The smartest comment I've read thus far(mmaureen1). I, like you, am in NO WAY connected to this film and I LOVED it. I agree, it was very "dialogue-y" (smile), but as an actress, that's what I loved the most. Good clean, straight, ACTING. No special effects, crazy stunts...just good ole' acting.
I TOTALLY agree with your opinion, I too was left wondering at the end. Thanks for your intelligent comment.

[–] mmaureenn-1 17 years ago

Wow... thank you. I was beginning to think I was cinematic-ly challenged for having found this film entertaining. (Cast Me... I look forward to enjoying your performance when you get cast. *big grin*)

[–] Caprice2008 17 years ago

Thank you :-)

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[–] storyteller1957 16 years ago

I thought I would bump the original mmaureenn thread since the follow up thread gets so much play.

Don't let abusive people shut you up. Use the ignore feature and enjoy your time here.

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[–] j_imdb-264 16 years ago

I enjoyed it. For such a dialog heavy film, I felt the performances and the ideas being presented were compelling enough.

My few criticisms would be regarding the way the writing drew attention to itself in dialog-translates-to-action coincidences. An example would be...

"You're so gay" and then the gay guy enters. And Sean Austin's "I saw from out there and you were..." which was an obvious gloss over to get the character into the dialog without having to catch him up on the events that just happened.

The gay guy was entirely too cliche and the characters were a little too neat in how each one represented an exact archetype with little from a third dimension added to spice them up. They fit like a puzzle, a little too neatly, again drawing attention to the writing... examples:

The married chaser goes right to the married guy.
The blowjob artist goes right to the one man able to discuss blowjobs.
The sensible woman goes right to the main sensible person (Cuba).
The power chick ends up going right to the alpha male... ect...

It was a little too obvious, the duality and the setup to get the exact dynamic going in each sub-story... Basically it all comes back to the writing drawing attention to itself.

These things included in the discussion, it was far from a bad movie and actually very entertaining for a one-set project. I watched every minute and was invested in the outcome. That's not easy to accomplish with one set and a script where all the action is based on dialog.

One final note: Matthew Lillard was outstanding.

[–] dopeyharp0 15 years ago

I just watched WLI (Feb.8,2009). I wasn't sure I had wanted to watch it, but decided to anyway.

It felt like it was set like a stage play, but seemed right to me. With the storyline, it didn't need much else.

It was "dialogue-y", but it was dialogue driven.

"What time is Recess?"

[–] mistresszaddeh 15 years ago

Well, i saw this movie for the 2nd time just now, and I still like it, I mean not AMAZING and oh so cleaver and certainly not winning a best film award... But in my opinion quite enjoyable.

I'll be your devil if you'll admit you're mine

[–] Ismaninb 14 years ago

Yesterday What love is was on Surinamese television for the third time or so, with subtitles. I thought to give it a chance. Real people? Come on, not everybody in the world is hypertense like all the characters in What love is. Good dialogues? If you think any good dialogue consists of lame attempts to be witty at least once a minute.

Anyone who has rated this movie so high should try a play by Oscar Wilde or Noel Coward. Some are put on film.
Then come back and tell me about real people and wit.

I could not stand this more than 3 minutes and I have zapped to it several times.

[–] Pimperator 13 years ago

I liked the film.

I don't know though if even good friends would speak to each other in such a frank and through manner.