Review of Like Crazy (2011) by Claudia M — 11 Apr 2013

A generational, affecting romance anchored by a breakthrough performance from Felicity Jones.

****.

From puppy love to passports, watching a couple come of age in "Like Crazy" can be used as a key example of the unique aspects of a generation. No, this movie doesn't define an era of romance like "Casablanca" but it holds its own as a quiet portrayal of young love.

The film starts off in college and follows the couple through their mid-20's. This sort of new age group is developmentally between teenage naïveté and stern adulthood. Tons can be said about their jobs or well-being, but "Like Crazy" follows personal lives and it does a great job of showing all aspects of a first love: the crush, the passion, the friendship, the heartbreak, the jealousy, the immaturity, and the dead serious implications it has to offer.

Anna and Jacob go through so much of a roller coaster in 90 minutes that you feel mentally exhausted for them. Of course, all that plays into the the film's brilliantly ambiguous final scene. It's not a sexy story - or a cute story - it's an honest one.

That golden honest comes through radiantly in Felicity Jones's performance (admittedly, this is the first movie in which I've seen here). Her heartfelt expressions beautifully break your heart just as quickly as they melt it. No wonder Jacob could fall for her! In lesser hands, the film would have most likely felt boring. I look forward for the many great things to come in her career.

Last but not least, and unrelated...this is the perfect instance of a phenomenal trailer that successfully peaks my interest in a movie. Keep producing trailers like the one for this indie and I'll come a-running.