Reviewed by Lizzie Husher
Stars Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, Martin Sheen,
John Carroll Lynch, Judy Greer, Frances Conroy, Joe Anderson,
Sasha Alexander, Michelle Harrison, Clyde Kusatsu
Written by Brandon Camp & Mike Thompson
Certification UK 12A | US PG-13
Runtime 109 minutes
Directed by Brandon Camp
Love Happens is one of those films that most critics hate to review. There is nothing outstandingly bad to say about this romantic drama/comedy, but nothing remarkably good, either. It’s reasonable viewing, but also sure to be forgotten as quickly as the discarded popcorn cartons.
The movie follows Burke Ryan (Eckhart), a self-help writer and ‘grief guru’, as he holds a rehabilitation course in Seattle for those suffering bereavements. It soon becomes apparent though that Ryan does not practice what he preaches, and is unable to move on from the accidental death of his wife. Cue Aniston as the predictably romantic but unlucky-in-love florist Eloise Chandler whose presence forces Ryan to face up to his past and future.
The general premise is a good one, but it’s a shame that Camp has played it safe with many aspects of his directorial debut. At some angles this film looks like an off-beat naturalistic tale of companionship, without the usual rom-com sorts of ‘obstacles’ in love but real, messy ones. From other angles it’s a formulaic demonstration of the romance genre, awash with déjà-vu inducing sub-plots and unnecessary additions; Eloise’s propensity for writing obscure words under the hotel’s paintings is never explained and way too ‘cute’, whilst the casting of Judy Greer, familiarly, as the obligatory Romantic-lead’s less attractive Best Friend means the warmth and honesty of this movie is overshadowed by the mass-pleasing clichés.
Aniston and Eckhart don’t look entirely wrong together but the sort of chemistry that is apparent between her and Vince Vaughn in The Break Up as well as Owen Wilson in Marley and Me is absent. I can’t be sure but I think Camp was going for the ‘Nicholas Cage in The Weatherman’ angle with Eckhart’s character; his self-satisfied and achingly composed image giving way to his crumbling and insecure interior is convincing enough, but perhaps the rom-com is not the best vehicle to explore this often unlikable and complex persona. In fact the genuine tear-jerking moments of the film do not come with the two leads, but with some impressive performances by veteran Martin Sheen as Ryan’s estranged Father-in-law, and John Carroll Lynch as grieving father Walter.
Those hankering after a gritty tale of the realities of relationships this year are advised to rent Two Lovers instead, whilst those expecting an entirely light-hearted and fluffy film – fooled by the title and poster ? may also be a little disappointed. Yet this is a film with heart, and its final scene is a good example of Brandon Camp’s (albeit sometimes ignored) ability to reign in the syrupy demonstrations of love.