Review of Charlie St. Cloud (2010) by Toru N — 18 Dec 2010

An okay movie that for some reason I thought it might be a little better than what it was. Zac Effron plays the title character who plays a brother to Sam (played by Charlie Tahan). The guys are inseparable, they do everything together even though there is a definite age difference between the two.

When Sam is tragically killed in a car accident (this is not a spoiler, you learn of this even in the trailer) Charlie basically stops his life and concentrates on his grief and guilt (for being the one left alive).

He's even the caretaker of the local cemetary. There is a place in the woods where he plays catch with his brother every day at sunset. He is however suddenly interested in Tess Carroll (Amanda Crew who I swear could be Molly Ringwald's younger sister or daughter) who is soon going to be leaving on a sailing voyage in her boat.

Because of his interest in sailing she comes into his life. Will he let her in or will he eventually shut her out like everything else because of the torment over his brother's death? Efron here plays a believable character mainly with no real surprises.

Crew played the female lead nicely as well. It's just for me the script was a letdown with some predictable storylines going exactly where you think they would. Probably worth watching once at least but you'll have to decide if there's room for more viewings.