Review of Conversations with Other Women (2006) by Jaclyn L — 04 Jun 2008

An unconventional and surprising take on love. Both Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter had developed and realistic characters, and their chemisty was great. The split-screen added an interesting dimension, and the dialogue was engaging and honest. Some parts made you laugh out loud, but in the end, it ultimately was a depressing take on love--how loving someone doesn't mean that you'll marry and have a happy life together, and in fact, sometimes means the opposite. Helena's character says that the people you love often make you the most miserable, and though she "longs for some misery" sometimes, she stays with her more steady, un-romantic husband, who she may not be passionate about but is content with.

The anonymity of the characters makes you feel as if you could easily be in their place, and you long for them to end up together while knowing that they won't. It contrasts maturity vs. innocence, stability vs. passion. Helena's character chooses maturity and stability, while Aaron's chooses innocence and passion, and romantic notions that are based in dreams and what-could-have-beens. Helena's character sees these dreams for what they really are--just that. And she moves on, realizing that passion makes you just as unhappy as happy.

Basically, a subtle romance, with no sugarcoating--and a tragic, yet entirely appropriate ending.