I thought it was excellent. Dialogue was brilliant, acting was superb and the soundtrack was a character in and of itself.
Maybe those that thought it was so horrible should stick to more mainstream schlock.
I haven't seen it (isn't available on DVD in Europe yet) but I think you just might be right from what I have read so far.
I really look forward to seeing it - and I don't expect to be disappointed at all. I like quirky, odd, brilliant dialogue and I know the actors are good. Odds are I'll love it.
I agree - I found that in this film, Mandy Moore left behind most of the "Mandy-isms" or gestures she's brought to her characters before, preventing us from completely embracing them as people apart from herself. I thought the story was great, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm glad I watched it!
(And the soundtrack is awesome)
I actually found it be really good as well, original and well-written... so I was surprised to find a lot of unflattering posts on here. I was a bit disappointed though that they didn't include the Lucy-falling-asleep-on-Henry's-couch scene that was in the trailer. I also think the story could have been fleshed out a little more, with more scenes of them warming up to each other in the middle, for I felt the attraction seemed to happen a little too suddenly, especially on her part.
Other than that, it was very good, albeit a little underdeveloped. I wish they had explained more about his past which obviously had such a negative, profound effect on him, though I know it wasn't necessary. In my mind, this film would have been perfect had there been more scenes of them working closely together, him opening up slowly about why he is the way he is, and her doing the same, perhaps about her mother, or why she jumps career choices so much (English Lit, art school, potential law school was mentioned to her mother, etc.) She could have also explained how a woman with a master's in English Lit (who was going for her Ph.D) would have a hard time paying rent, since she could have gotten a job in that field until she turned illustrating into a lucrative career. And then the transition to romantic interest would have felt a little more realistic.
I understand him falling for her more, since he seemed to be intrigued from the start, using his dead friend to say what he really was thinking himself, like how she's a 'nice girl' and 'lovely, like an antelope in a junkyard.' Naturally his misanthropic tendencies to push people away took over at first, and it succeeded quite well, so her being so interested in him so soon to the point where he 'broke [her] heart' felt a little off. Especially since she seemed to believe the ex-boyfriend as he was trying to worm his way back into her life. Would also have been nice had there been more scenes with him (I forget his name, so I'll just refer to him as 'Office Tim'), and they could have shown her struggle with unresolved feelings for him as well as confusing new ones for Henry. Maybe a glimpse into why it didn't work out the first time between them, and a scene that shows why she ended up picking Henry, since she was after all engaged (obviously as a reaction from Henry hurting her, but she also must have believed Office Tim had changed for her to accept.)
And last but not least, why did they market this as a romantic comedy? Sure it had a few funny lines, but it was more of a romantic drama imo.
I saw this movie yesterday. At first I wasn't sure I would like it, but it is great. I watched it again today. It is brilliant, esp liked Billy Crudup & Mandy Moore. Sensitive performances. Great, touching movie.
shareI hated it, but then again I HATE Billy Crudup, Mandy Moore, and Deerhoof so I made a big mistake watching it in the first place.
shareSo I finally watched it online and wow, I mean... I don't understand one bit why anybody would not like this movie. I thought it was moving, romantic, quirky, sad, joyous, and good entertainment. Ooh, and the soundtrack was excellent imo.
Of course I am a Crudup nut but thing is with his movies you tend to forget him and just enjoy the movie for what it is and that's acting for you.
I thought that the movie was incredibly good, because it was believable. Things like this happen to real people.
I like the way Henry is so messed up and unsure of himself except for his talent at writing childrens stories.
And I loved the way that Lucy's character was curious and tender toward his character from the start.
The wonder of this story is the dialogue that dead Rudy continues to have with Henry.
I thought the movie was excellent, too. Great job by Billy Crudup, great screenplay, solid supporting performances, and Mandy Moore. One of the best romantic comedies I've seen.
"I left everything, and everyone. But no one, no one has ever left me."