Review of Like Crazy (2011) by Ryan A — 03 Jun 2013

Immigration issues and infidelity upset the love of two twenty-somethings.

In today's dating climate, things are far more fluid than in times past, and this film captures that fluidity. Whereas films like Love Story and The Way We Were occupy themselves with only the lives of two people and their elliptical orbits around each other, today we often add other people -- other moons -- that interfere with the primary relationship. This is as true in life as it is in this fine film.

Strong performances by Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones carry the film, and supporting roles, most notably by Jennifer Lawrence, complement the two leads nicely. There aren't any great, memorable scenes, but the film captures the feeling of this relationship well, and I found myself enjoying getting to know these characters.

The story and its central conflict are less compelling than the performances. Immigration issues are real-world problems, and I'm sure that those who experience them find great difficulty, but the don't compel as a central conflict for a film. Also, I found that the film dragged here and there, particularly when the leads were apart.

Overall, this is a strong film for this era, but it's not as transcendent as one might hope.