Review of Elizabethtown (2005) by Sophie M — 31 Mar 2013

I found "Elizabethtown" charming despite its patched-together feel, and pretty much everything outside of the main romance plot works pretty well.

Susan Sarandon is really sad and lovely, and I wish she had more screen time. Paul Schneider is great, and I wish the movie was more about him and his son. Paula Deen, Bruce McGill, and pretty much all of the Kentucky-native characters are likeable and interesting, and I kept wishing they were more focused on-- are you sensing a theme here? The story of Drew Baylor reconnecting with his roots is great and meaningful, so what the heck is this love story here for (aside from marketing)? Not only does Kirstin Dunst's character feel tacked onto the main narrative, but she can be more than a little obnoxious. Orlando Bloom does a decent job, but he just seems uncomfortable a lot of the time. I think the guy has potential, but he has yet to find a role that fully plays to his strengths, whatever they may be. Ashton Kutcher was originally cast in the role, and I wonder what kind of a difference that might have made. We'll never know, but my gut tells me that Kutcher seems to fit Baylor's character type a bit better.

The fact is, I saw this movie at a particular time when certain themes really struck a chord, and watching all of the funeral scenes was really moving. I like this movie, despite its many faults. At the very least, Crowe sure knows when to drop an Elton John tune.