Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: Romance

Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Austenland - Review

Austenland
(2013 - August 16, 2013 [NY, LA])
Comedy | Romance
1 hr. 36 min.

Rated: PG-13 Innuendo and Suggestive. Common Sense Media says OK for kids 12+. Read more
Grade: C-

Director: Jerusha Hess
Writers: Jerusha Hess (screenplay), Shannon Hale (screenplay), Shannon Hale (novel)
Stars: Keri Russell, JJ Feild, Jennifer Coolidge | See full cast and crew

Socially awkward Jane Hayes (Keri Russell) is obsessed with the works of Jane Austen and fantasizes about the character of Mr. Darcy. She scrapes together as much money as she can and takes off for Austenland, a British theme resort where guests immerse themselves in a romantic fantasy worthy of Austen herself. However, because Jane's limited funds do not allow as many privileges as other guests, her chance at a fling with her very own Mr. Darcy may be limited as well.

I was the only one in the theater when I saw this film and it soon became apparent why. It's a total 'chick flick' but where were all the chicks?

Austenland is Twilight author Stephenie Meyer's first foray into film producing with this romantic comedy about a thirtysomething woman whose lifelong obsession with all things Jane Austen leads her to an eccentric theme park based on the writer's work, and into the company of a handsome young suitor. It is also very predictable, completely forgetable, uniremarkable, and a not very amusing comedy. I thought at least Jennifer Coolidge would be worth a few laughs but he lines and delivery fell flat.

Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), for as long as she can remember has been a fan of the classic writings of Jane Austen, she has turned her apartment and her life into a shrine, she eats, drinks and sleeps Jane Austen and and fantasises about her future with the heroic Mr. Darcy. For years she has been squirreling away money to pay for a dream-trip to Austenland, a fantasy land resort for die-hard fans to completely immerse themselves in the elegant world of their beloved author run by Mrs. Wattlesbrook (Jane Seymour) [an aside: I was once cast to play Jane Seymour's little brother on Broadway but the project lost it's funding and was never staged], anyway, she sells her Toyota Tercel for the extra cash and with great expectations, packs her bags and books a room at Austenland.

When she first arrives the fantasy resort is everything she had ever imagined. Every detail is as elegant and exquisite as the Jane Austen novels. She quickly discovers, however, one small disappointing detail: Due to her limited funds she could only afford the 'copper package' meaning that she wasn't entitled to the same luxury experience as the other, wealthier bachelorettes who were booked at Austenland. There were only two other guests, Miss Elizabeth Charming (Jennifer Coolidge) and Lady Amelia Heartwright (Georgia King), but she decides to make the most of her trip anyway. Later, when Jane falls into a romance with an 'off limits' dashing young servant, Martin (Bret McKenzie), her lifelong dreams suddenly begin to be realized, but there are complications with her dreamy yet seemingly unattainable 'Mr. Darcy', in the form of Mr. Henry Nobley (JJ Feild). What will happen when the two resort actors begin to vie for Jane's hand? (The outcome is so easy to predict).

The are a few things for which I can give Austenland kudos, it doesn't stoop to the common sex, nudity and profanity of the standard Hollywood offerings, which could so easily have been inserted, and the film was filmed partially in Utah. The screenplay was co-written by Utah athoress Shannon Hess (based on her book) and Utah director Jerusha Hess (a BYU girl like Stephenie Meyer). Austenland debuted at Sundance where it was acquired by Sony Pictures Worldwide.

Shannon Hale: In 2007, (Twilight author and Austenland producer) Stephanie Meyer, who is a writer friend, we were talking about what fun it would be to make it into a movie. “We’ll just rent a camcorder and go to England and rent a house and make the movie and ha ha ha, it will never happen.”
Then two years later, I met Jerusha Hess who I didn’t know was a fellow Utahn and she’d read some of my books and we went to lunch and I gave her 'Austenland.' She called me 24 hours later and said “let’s make this into a movie.”
The next day Stephanie called me and said, “I know we used to joke about it, but I really do think 'Austenland' would be a great movie,” and I said, “It’s so funny because Jerusha Hess just called me and wanted to make it into a movie.”
That was 2009 and we got together, the three of us, and started making plans and Jerusha and I started writing the screenplay together and then we shot it in 2011.

Behind the scenes with director Jerusha Hess

The ladies of Austenland

Most of the cast clowning at a publicity event

Cast

JJ Feild Keri Russell Bret McKenzie

Mr. Henry Nobley Jane Hayes Martin

Jennifer Coolidge Georgia King Jane Seymour

Miss Elizabeth Charming Lady Amelia Heartwright Mrs. Wattlesbrook

James Callis Ricky Whittle

Colonel Andrews Captain George East

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Safe Haven - Review

Safe Haven
(2013 February 14)
Drama | Mystery | Romance
1 hr 55 min

Rated: PG-13 Thematic material involving threatening behavior, and for violence and sexuality | Read more
Grade: B+

Director: Lasse Hallström
Writers: Leslie Bohem (screenplay), Dana Stevens (screenplay), Nicholas Sparks (novel)
Stars: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Cobie Smulders | See full cast and crew

An affirming and suspenseful story about a young woman’s struggle to love again, Safe Haven is based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films The Notebook and Dear John. When a mysterious young woman arrives in a small North Carolina town, her reluctance to join the tight knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.

So, what can we say about this movie...generally the critics hate it but the vast majority of moviegoers like it. I did too, like it that is. It seems that anything on the verge of wholesome is to be shunned by the critics and Hollywood. There are no racy sex scenes, no F words, no serious profanity for that matter. The guys will probably find Safe Haven a bit schmaltzy and syrupy sweet just as you would expect from this genera but the gals will love it. It's a chick-flick to be sure, but it is also suspenseful and the acting is at worst adequate and at best engaging. In that regard, it is a little up and down as are most films. On the upside local girl, Julianne Hough, as Katie does a good job and works well with Josh Duhamel, their chemistry is believable. The film is based on the novel Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and directed by Lasse Hallström. The film was originally set for a February 8 release, but was moved to February 14, 2013.

Safe Haven is very reminiscent of The Lucky One staring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling but in my view is a little bit better. So buck it up guys, take you gal for Valentines Day. She'll appreciate it and it really isn't all that difficult to sit through it's actually quite pleasant. You may even enjoy yourself.

Katie (Julianne Hough) has stabbed her husband in their home in Boston and not certain if he is dead or alive runs for her life. She escapes, with the help of a neighbor, on a bus headed to Atlanta knowing that the police are hot on her trail. During a rest stop in Southport, a small seaport town in North Carolina , where Alex (Josh Duhamel) runs a tiny market with his uncle Roger (Red West). While watching the other passengers board the bus Katie makes a quick decision not to get back on the bus. She soon has a waitress job and finds a isolated cabin for rent outside of town in the woods.

Alex is a very personable, handsome, recently widowed, devoted father of two young children, Josh (Noah Lomax) and Lexie (Mimi Kirkland), who is just trying to get on with his life. When Katie walks into his life she ignites a little spark down deep in his heart and Alex is ready and willing to expose his damaged heart to a second chance at love. As expected she is not ready to lower her guard having herself just escaped from an abusive relationship. She is determined not to make any personal ties.

Katie meets a neighbor, Jo (Cobie Smulders), in the woods and the two soon are fast friends. Jo convinces Katie to give Alex a chance. Before long Katie and Alex are dating. Not long after they have both fallen in love.

Alex sees a wanted poster of Katie in the local police station, identifying her as a fugitive, a first degree murder suspect. Alex confronts her and their fragile relationship is suddenly shattered. Alex feels betrayed she lied to him, even her name is a lie, she's wanted for murder and he let her into his family, he had left his children in her care. He tells Katie she should leave.

Jo finds Katie packing and tries to convince her to stay but Katie knows the only avenue open to her is to run, the law will certainly find her soon if she stays. Alex is heartbroken but realizes that he still loves her. Meanwhile Officer Tierney from the Boston PD has discovered Katie's location and is no his way to Southport.

There are a few twists and turns as the film builds to it's conclusion including one surprising relevation.

Well now, you don't really want me to spoil the ending for you do you? I don't want to either, so I won't. Go see it, I recommend it.