Can someone please explain why the movie got such bad reviews…
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xXenomicXx — 14 years ago(August 02, 2011 12:24 PM)
I think it received bad reviews because of the writing. The characters are almost unbelievable. You have this "Mad Men" advertiser who says he is the best, but is no Donald Draper. We first see him in action and he blows the deal with his arrogance and temper with no cause to why, and no backup plan to seal the deal. I thought he was the best? An advertiser is suppose to be persuasive and focused on they company they are after, not become rejected and throw a hissy-fit! On top of that, having Keanu Reeves play this character was unfitting and unrealistic. He was monotoned and unexpressionable throughout the movie. And we are suppose to believe this character who is so focused on work he doesn't pay attention to his own girlfriend, all of the sudden wants to hang out with the outgoing San Francisco hippie chick he just met? I can't see this guy leaving a world of profession to hang out irresponsibly with a women he just met for a month. They should have made him a an uptight Drill Sergeant on leave if they wanted to go that route.
The writing also gives away the plot and theme shortly after she asks him to stay for one month. We know we are going to have a "Coming of Age" with Keanu's character, and a "Tragedy" with Charlize's character. So we know this but decide to watch it unfold. With Keanu's acting, we hardly see any change in the character other then when the scene calls for him to be over acting..(exp the Christmas scene.)
Another thing bad about the writing is if Charlize takes in a guy every month, where are all the other guys at? Wouldn't they be around and fall in love too? And why is Keanu the only one that is so love crazy, he is borderline stalker?!?!?
The story is the only thing that holds this movie together. Its unique and a fantasy for someone to live a life like Charlize does, and is not very far fetched. I just see her character snagging bums, and dragqueens in for a month rather then high class business executives.
The ending was the only thing I liked about the movie, only because it was the only scene that was not predictable. It leaves the viewer wondering who her next project will be, and Keanu leaves supposedly a better person. Who knows, maybe he'll pull out a bag with 12 advertizing gifts to get his job back! -
IMDbProha — 14 years ago(August 03, 2011 06:45 PM)
Thanks for the post!
I don't agree with the assertion that the writing gave away the plot after she asked him to stay for a month. The scenario could have played out in many different ways.
There definitely was more to it that they could have explored. I was curious about the other months as well. -
poetessbynight — 14 years ago(October 01, 2011 01:56 PM)
I'm so conflicted on this because I see the good in this movie, but I realize there are cringe-worthy elements as well. There are a lot of cliches, but also unique touches. There's good acting and bad acting. It seems like the movie can be very conflicting in its qualities, which can sometimes be the death of a film's success. I actually feel this way about another Keanu Reeves film, The Lake House; however, I thought the acting in that film was pretty good across the board. Reeves seems to be my go-to guy for romantic movies that aren't technically great, but I love them anyway.
"She uprooted a mighty sequoia!"
www.myspace.com/poetessbynight -
matushka1731 — 14 years ago(March 04, 2012 10:41 AM)
I, for one, hated this in comparison with the 1968 original. It's a pretty whacky storyline; but played by Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley, it was just perfect casting (with Theodore Bickel in a supporting role, too!). This 2001 version was just pure garbage in comparison and one of the many reasons why I generally despise remakes. See the original which has recently been releasedI actually found it to be much more interesting and touching.
It WAS really, really bad! -
Darkskythe2005 — 14 years ago(March 25, 2012 12:51 AM)
My advice to any who liked this movie, and even to those who did not is see the original (1968)
It's true, and potent, and for it's time quite charming, original and endearing. I think that the newer version isn't necessarily bad, but there's just something about a movie that is based off of an old movie that only succeeds in being a carbon copy with newer cars, and computers. Instead of adding anything new, any perspective. It kind of comes off as lazy and uninspired.
If you don't like old movies, I beg you make an exception. This one might change your mind.
But you may just think it too is just a sappy tear-tugging love fest. Though I doubt it. -
fred-albertyn — 13 years ago(October 22, 2012 10:55 AM)
you ask why because you love the movie,but it had to turn this way for the best effect in tragedy,if people are stil discussing it more than 10 years later they must have loved it.
i can personally relate to some of storyline
love the movie -
christopherteo — 13 years ago(November 13, 2012 06:32 AM)
Imo only the ending was crappy, rest of the film was alright. It's like those kind of movies unappreciated when first released and only gets better with time. I liked it because it showed how life was slower more than 10 years ago without the beep of modern 2012.
The ending just dropped the audience's expectations (that imo was unnecessary) of the happy ending set up when Keanu proposed. I expected them to get married and Keanu spending with her the last year or so of her life before she dies, she accepting life isn't perfect instead of being so immature and childish (and not wanting Keanu to remember her that way).
Ending crashed everything that was built up from earlier. Heard it was a remake of some original movie. Did it have a similar sucky ending as well I wonder? -
AtheistRevolution — 12 years ago(May 25, 2013 07:55 PM)
Well Charlize Theron wasn't too bad but Keanu Reeves was awful. I guess the story was somewhat okay but became quite mediocre. The cancer twist was ridiculously melodramatic and the end was poor.
- Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.
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fiatlux-1 — 12 years ago(September 05, 2013 09:55 PM)
spoilers below
When I first watched the film (and a couple subsequent watches) I actually thought
Sarah killed herself at the end!
The way they make a point of showing the highway, and Sarah runs thereand then says "I'm going home. They know I'm coming." I always assumed she was committing suicide.
But then up here they tell me she is JUST going home to her family?! What kind of dumb ending is that? She gives up Nelson & her place just to go home to die slowly?!
That seemed pointless.
And if that is indeed the ending, that changes the entire film for me. It does seem stupid & sappy.
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush." -
MTulliver — 11 years ago(January 08, 2015 04:11 PM)
Because it's a TERRIBLE movie. I only got through about 20 min. of it. Keanu's character is unbearable and his acting is worse. Charlize's character is annoying as hell. The entire premise is stupid. He moves in with a complete stranger who acts like a crazy woman? Yeah, ok.