HoarseWhipped

When coming upon a movie 'by accident' on daytime tv it takes you more by surprise that it begins to intrigue you and you enjoy it all the more?

I stay with it because of Reeves, as I quite relate to his off-beam comedy and delivery - (and his ethical stance)... but I had no idea the female was Winona Ryder: she resembled Zooey Deschanel??

Pleasantly surprised that it wasn't just another schmaltzy American predictable love story - did anyone else think it had Shakespearean overtones, with the two-person dialogue an updated take on a stage play scenario and rather pompous language? (Was this the writer's intention?)

Coming to this movie with an open mind… and with a wife who is rather partial to anything soppy and romantic! - knew I was in for one of those 'bog-standard' americanized ham-fisted attempts at romantic comedy… and in that respect I wasn't disappointed.

I have never been over-awed with Jennifer Aniston - yes, I don't deny she is attractive and appealing - but her on-screen performances always leave me non-plussed; she is invariably agreeable and wants to be 'likeable' and maybe it is that "desire to please" that I find objectionable? in the end her performance is "woolly" as she blends in to the 'public consensus of moral opinion and social atmosphere' of the day.

In terms of that 'social atmosphere' this movie is very much a reflection of American values - or lack thereof; permissive attitudes, selfishness disguised by ingratiation, and capitalistic corporate obeisance.

As is so often the case (with American movies), they just do not get subtlety, nuance - or comedy for that; this movie resembles - or tries to emulate - the great British romantic comedies such as Four Weddings… except without the charm, class, appeal, pace, sympathetic characters, attractive setting - or comedic relief!

No wonder I was only watching this because it was part of a multi-movie compilation DVD.

and sorry Jen - I much prefer ANY Sandra Bullock movie.