Like Crazy - Film Review
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Published October 19th 2012
Sundance Festival loved this feature 'Like Crazy'
Like Crazy is the tale of two love-birds that are separated by a one major problem, living on different continents.
Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin star in this indie, romantic-drama about two young college students, Anna from Britain and Jacob from America, who are coming to the end of their school lives with graduation looming. As said graduation passes, the pair decides to spend the summer together in America before Anna returns home for a family obligation. As their love blossoms, she tries returning to the States but is denied and detained by authorities as her visa ran out after graduation. As their love intensifies, the cracks begin to show with the miles between the pair starting to get to them.
Drake Doremus' script is very well-written with the scenes being all in chronological order making it simple to follow. I was worried about this movie and its simplicity with the background of the film being based in separate countries at times, thus meaning possible flashbacks/forwards making it difficult to keep up. However, credit where it's due, Doremus (the writer and director) did an impressive job of this indie feature as the Sundance Festival highlighted, awarding it the 'Best Picture Award' and 'Best Actress Award' to Felicity.
The cast is formidable with some great new talent on show with Jones, Yelchin and Jennifer Lawrence, before her smash-hit Hunger Games graced the big screen. Jones and Yelchin's chemistry is smooth and flowing but sometimes Doremus' clear passion of the techniques in the French New Wave genre is too domineering to focus on the notable acting being portrayed. Felicity depicts her British and emotional character very well with many late-night, bed-ridden crying and Anton conveying the more masculine, quiet and moody role also stirringly. Other cast members are there to sensationalise the romance and hindrances between the headline couple with not many outstanding performances between them, but that is possibly because Drake decided camera time would be better spent on Jones and Yelchin. Overall, there's a pleasing array of talent between the cast.
The Verdict
To sum up, the film is very heartfelt as expected and the acting is very respectable to deliver, at times, a complex script. Jones and Yelchin are potential stars of the future and this film benefits them very well showing off great talent working together and individually. Drake Doremus does a fine job directing and writing his fourth feature film but I would warn viewers that it is filmed quite darkly for a film such heartfelt, but I'm guessing this is his French New Wave admiration creeping in. In addition, the editing is slick and quirky rounding off a refreshing, indie, and romantic-drama that Doremus can be proud of.
Star Rating: 3/5
Like Crazy is the tale of two love-birds that are separated by a one major problem, living on different continents.
Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin star in this indie, romantic-drama about two young college students, Anna from Britain and Jacob from America, who are coming to the end of their school lives with graduation looming. As said graduation passes, the pair decides to spend the summer together in America before Anna returns home for a family obligation. As their love blossoms, she tries returning to the States but is denied and detained by authorities as her visa ran out after graduation. As their love intensifies, the cracks begin to show with the miles between the pair starting to get to them.
Drake Doremus' script is very well-written with the scenes being all in chronological order making it simple to follow. I was worried about this movie and its simplicity with the background of the film being based in separate countries at times, thus meaning possible flashbacks/forwards making it difficult to keep up. However, credit where it's due, Doremus (the writer and director) did an impressive job of this indie feature as the Sundance Festival highlighted, awarding it the 'Best Picture Award' and 'Best Actress Award' to Felicity.
The Verdict
To sum up, the film is very heartfelt as expected and the acting is very respectable to deliver, at times, a complex script. Jones and Yelchin are potential stars of the future and this film benefits them very well showing off great talent working together and individually. Drake Doremus does a fine job directing and writing his fourth feature film but I would warn viewers that it is filmed quite darkly for a film such heartfelt, but I'm guessing this is his French New Wave admiration creeping in. In addition, the editing is slick and quirky rounding off a refreshing, indie, and romantic-drama that Doremus can be proud of.
Star Rating: 3/5
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When: Out now on DVD & Blu-ray
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