This one only rates a quick review because there really isn't much here to write about. The concept employed is interesting, but the execution is stillborn. This is the latest attempt for Ashton Kutcher to get over as a movie star. He has the potential, but he needs to choose his scripts better, Butterfly Effect was a good attempt at range and Guess Who? was a good comedy, but there hasn't been anything yet to prove he is a star. This also features Amanda Peet, who has talent, but seems to be trapped in these B level films.
A Lot Like Love tracks the romantic games a couple plays during an on and off seven year courtship. I liked the idea of a couple that is destined to be together and the events of life that conspire to keep them apart for an elongated period of time. The problem here is that the events are more like stupidity.
Kutcher's Oliver and Peet's Emily have absolutely nothing of interest to say to each other. Or, perhaps they do and instead choose to play a game which is not needed to begin with. If they were holding back the right things to say, they must have been in another script.
As characters they are just making stuff up and seeing what sticks. If I was to meet either of these characters, the desire for friendship or even just conversation would not last very long. Oliver has his 5, or maybe 6, year plan to become successful and allow a woman to find him. This is while Emily seems to get into one self destructive relationship after another. In between all of these plans Emily and Oliver occasionally meet for a brief physical connection, or just the worst time imaginable. There problems would all be solved by saying something real rather than continuing to play games until the predictable outcome, which could have been achieved at the very start 7 years earlier.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
A lot of data is coming back from the media on Kutcher and films and the diagnosis isn't good: the prevailing opinion is that he has a TV but not a movie-sized personality.
Roger Roeper, on The Howard Stern Show this week, compared Kutcher's acting skills unfavorably to Mike Ditka's in Kicking and Screaming.
Ouch.
I like Kutcher a lot on That 70s Show and even Punk'd. I haven't seen enough of his filmic career to really pass judgement...
But let's just say I ain't gonna run to the theaters to see A Lot Like Love.
Nice job on this review as always, Chris.
2 - Chris Beaumont
Thanks, Eric.
I think Kutcher needs to take more projects like Butterfly Effect. He is full of potential, I honestly think he just needs to find the right material with the right director. He needs to stop taking these romantic comedy type films and stretch a bit. He is good on 70's Show, and I also enjoyed Just Married, and even Dude, Where's My Car?
He was originally offered Topher Grace's role in In Good Company, but turned it down. Not sure i would have liked him in that, but it is much better material. Once That 70's Show finally ends, we will see if he has any staying power.
3 - Eric Berlin
Yeah, I agree. I'd like to see him in something with a degree of sophistication.
4 - MJ
The movie was not that good..but
Kutcher is Very Attractive !