Review of A Lot Like Love (2005) by Tonypolito — 21 Sep 2010

It's no "Harry Met Sally," but the comparison is obvious and fair.

College slackers Kutcher and Peet meet when she initiates an anonymous tryst in the restroom of an in-flight Airbus, which sinks the hook deep enough into the lip of the viewer to reel him/her well into Act 2.

Kutcher, not satisfied with merely a Mile High Club merit badge, won't leave well enough alone and soon enough the two fall into using each other, over the ensuing decade, as an emotional crutch whenever one gets the heave-ho from his/her partner.

The viewer won't have the least difficulty, even before the Act 1 curtain, figuring out where the two will end up.

There's not much plot, engaging chemistry or witty dialogue here - in fact wits seem to be in short supply - but the two stay cute enough through it all, while the make-up crew admirably attempts to add age to the duo with every scene.

Delivery-wise, the camera work tries to ensure focus on Peet, with clingy tops, tat peeks, gorgeous facial close-ups and such. There's no hankie moments to be had here, but the ride to Blissville is pleasant enough.

There's a vague, semi-focused scoring that lends only the most minute dollop of indy feel. My fav, only barely heard in the background, is Sammy Davis Jr.'s rousing rendition of "A Lot of Livin' To Do.".

With this film, once the viewer is 'in,' he/she is likely in for the duration but, despite hanging on, despite it being cute enough, the film will still leave the viewer with a sort of empty feeling in its resolution.

RECOMMENDATION: "Serendipity," with John Cusack at the wheel, pulling his weight far more than Kutcher does here, is not so dissimilar a film - and is a much better bet.