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Stuck in Love (2012)
Stuck in Love (2012)
Occasionally a love story that is not a “chick flick”, but looks like one, will fall through the cracks. Stuck in Love looked like one of those stories. The movie falls through the cracks because people assume it is a “chick flick” and they dismiss it immediately. I almost did the same thing because I’m not a fan of “chick flicks.” I’m not a fan of
“chick flicks” because well, I’m not a chick.
“Chick flicks” are so prevalent in the movie world these days that they are like a cancer that has spread. They are everywhere and their whole existence is killing the industry that they thrive on.
Stuck in Love is a dysfunctional drama about a semi-popular author (Greg Kinnear) who finds himself unable to get over his ex-wife (Jennifer Connelly), even after being divorced for more than 2 years. His son and daughter, who are also writers, are having their own struggles with love.
The film was written and directed by Josh Boone and the rest of the noteworthy cast includes Lily Collins, Kristen Bell, Logan Lerman, Nat Wolff, Liana Liberato, Stephen King, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
I have always enjoyed movies about writers, because I have always wanted to be a writer.
The movie is only slightly formulaic and just a little bit predictable. It is not like “chick flicks” that are completely predictable because they always follow the same formula.
The film is rated-R for language, drug use, sexual situations, and adult drama. The movie is as much a teen drama as it is an adult drama.
There is a lot of language in the film, but that has become reality. You would like to think that people don’t always talk that way, but that is how it really is. We are a society that has become de-sensitized and the absence of language in the movie would have made it less realistic and less practical.
I was a little surprised when watching this movie because I thought it was going to be more about the parents in the story, rather than the kids. When, in fact, the film was just as much about the adults as it was about the kids.
The young actors in the movie did a better job than I anticipated. However,
the presence of Kinnear and Connelly help to make Stuck in Love a quirky, heart warming drama worth watching.
Once again, my dysfunctional childhood was probably the reason why I was drawn to this movie. Maybe it is just because I can relate to the craziness that is going on in the movie and that is why I like it. Growing up as the youngest in a big family, it’s hard to avoid the drama. Maybe that is why the movie seems more real to me, because dysfunction is more honest than perfection. Madness is more entertaining than predictability.
I rate this move a 7.5 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Rent.
If you liked Stuck in Love, then you may also enjoy The Big Wedding (2013), Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011), and The Way, Way Back (2013).
Happy Birthday to Pierce Brosnan
Happy Birthday to Pierce Brosnan! The actor formerly known as James Bond will be celebrating a major milestone today, he turns 60 years old.
Of course Brosnan is most known for his suave portrayal of the iconic Bond character. He did walk in those shoes 4 times: Goldeneye (1995) (my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002).
He is almost exactly 7 months older than my father and I remember my dad taking me to see all four of his James Bond movies in the theatre over the years. At the time I always thought it was pretty cool to think that James Bond was the same age as my dad.
I remember hating Pierce Brosnan’s character in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) because he played his part so well. After seeing him as Bond, I thought Pierce was pretty awesome. After re-watching Mrs. Doubtfire, I liked him even more.
Brosnan was a superstar for a while in the 90’s and early 2000’s, but then his career began to fade.
The Matador (2005) was a sort of comeback movie for him. In it he plays an aging hit man who is beginning to lose his edge. It’s a dark comedy that also featured Greg Kinnear. The role seemed so out of character for Pierce, but his performance was priceless. The movie could have been better, but his part was great.
He has continued making many movies, but the only one worth mentioning in more recent years is The Greatest (2009).
Somewhere along the way he lost his status and has not been able to be a part of big films. Of course, I guess that is what comes with age. I’m still a fan though. Cheers to you Mr. Bond!
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