deborah-99172

What a beautiful movie. Both lighthearted moments and shattering pain. An exploration of friendship, acceptance (of oneself and of others), and bravery. I'm so glad Will Farrell created this project to help his friend Harper feel at a home in the world rather than shuttered in a house at the edge of our continent.

Did I wait the entire movie for a certain theme song? Yes.

I could say more and this box seems to want me too, but I think you should experience this film for yourself. It's deeply personal. It explores self-hate, which we all carry in some way. And the powerful antidote of love and connection.

...but I actually think this is a good movie. The script is strong. All the women characters are complicated and intelligent. And they are good at what they do (ie, careers) in the story of the film. So you have three generations played by Kathy Bates, Nicole Kidman and Joey King -- all amazing actresses who really work this well-written script. Zac Ephron plays the self-absorbed but not quite dumb celebrity who is the daughter's boss. I don't think I've ever seen him in a movie before. I do think it would be hard for him to fail in this role of annoying guy who becomes a better guy.

Okay, the elephant in the room is the faces. Nicole looks like she is out of an early-Hollywood film where the camera lens is covered with gauze or gel or whatever they did to soften women's faces in films in the past. She is just blurry. Her face doesn't look as rigid as it's been (I actually stopped watching her movies because her immobile face really upset me). I don't know if it's the soft-focus lens or whatever the newest round of work is, but she is easier to look at.

Zac, on the other hand, has a face that is frozen. I don't know what choices he has made in terms of plastic surgery, but his head is now a block -- he looks like a Lego head. He was pretty before, wasn't he?

Anyway, it's a bit odd at first but you get used to it. And ultimately the movie isn't really about him, so it doesn't matter. I recommend this because I appreciated the story told about aspiration, creativity, success, and returning to one's creative work after a significant pause. The exploration of the dynamics of a relationship (in all the different iterations in the story) is honest and rang true for me.

The only part that was a little jarring -- and maybe it's because I watch so many Korean dramas these days -- but the speed with which people start kissing took me by surprise.

I gave this movie a 10 because it deserves more than 6.6 and I wanted to balance things out. Both Anne and Nicholas are excellent. Their chemistry is believable. You know the plot, but it is more nuanced than a typical romcom. I think this movie will speak to anyone who has experienced a love that does not fit the "usual" expectations of society. The joy, the awakening of something dormant or lost, the passion -- it's all there. That feeling of being seen. The perilous decision to trust another person with your whole self. These are universal dilemmas. The script feels emotionally honest. Which is why I think this movie will surprise the viewer.