Review of Just Like Heaven (2005) by Kate M — 11 Aug 2009

Awww, I actually really loved this even though I'm not a rom-com type of person (bring on the angst!).

I think a successful rom-com isn't always dependent on the script, but on the chemistry and ability of the actors, and so many of the same dull, charmless, talentless bunch (Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, the entire cast of Gray's Anatomy I'm looking at you) who do the circuit churn out these god awful two star trite films saturating the genre. So when films like this where you get two leads who have great comic timing, likeability and a playfulness come along, they really help to restore your faith in a beautifully put together love story.

I've always had a soft spot for Reese Witherspoon, but I was surprised at how good Mark Ruffalo is - the one man acting scene in the bar was hilarious! This film was a prime example of the "they hate each other, but really it's love" boreline, but the acting, humour and general kookiness of it pulled it head and shoulders above the rest in its field. The ending was always going to be a bit of a mess, but they probably chose the right option by going for the slush factor (I think if they had separated it would have actually really unsettled me for weeks after, ala Butterfly Effect!). Oh, and Jon Heder was in this!! LU-CKY. He was esentially playing Napolean Dynamite is a blase medium so that was aceness.

Deffo worth a watch for the cynics of the genre.