WARNING: May contain spoilers...
I guess I should say right off the bat that teen films are not my bag. I don't know why, its just that overly-sappy stories with 20-somethings playing teenagers has never been my thing. However, I do make exceptions (I'm a "Breakfast Club" and "She's All That" fan). This film is kind of a departure from teen love/teen comedy, because it focuses on a more adult topic: that's right, it deals with college kids.
I only saw a few scenes towards the end first time I saw this, and then the next time it was on TV, I only saw the same scenes. I knew I needed to see this film, but it became rare on the pay-per-view channels I saw the ending on, so I went out and paid $29.99 for the DVD. It's ok--it was worth the price. I was almost single at the time as well (my 1st boyfriend and I were on the outs), and was just turning 18 when I bought this movie. It actually helped me through the break-up--I knew things could be worse.
In this spirited 2000 retelling of "Annie Hall," (which I've never seen), a young man and woman find out about love and relationships during their college years. Sophomore Al Connelly (Freddie Prinze Jr.), is a satisfied college sophomore who is studying liberal arts, but wants to be a chef. Freshman Imogen (Julia Stiles) worships artistry, but according to her mother, "art should only be done on the weekends." The two meet in a bar one night (AL: I thought it was a cool place, but that's because they never checked IDs). Al falls for Imogen immediately, sort of like infatuation. The two begin a whirlwind courtship that includes a conversation over cake, psychoanalysis (I'll explain this one better, because its one of my favorite scenes), sleeping together, and just enjoying each other's company. But, the two become distant, and suddenly Al is floored when Imogen dumps him. He suddenly realizes that he needs her to live, and will do anything to get over her, even if it means going to extreme measures.
While genuinely a sentimental flick, this is light-hearted and smart. The viewer comes away a little more knowledgable about the opposite sex after seeing this flick. You can see the chemistry between Al and Imogen, and Prinze and Stiles capture the romantic scenes perfectly. The story is told from both of their points of view, which is good, because the story would not work one-sided. Every now and then, the movie would flash forward to either Prinze of Stiles in present day talking about each other, giving their take on everything, as well as a great voice-over track from both during the film. Anyone who has ever experienced love lost could relate to Al, but I don't know (nor have I heard of) anyone who has ever tried to forget their lost love the way Al did (that was an interesting part). The reason this film works is the chemistry. Although I am completely over the moon for Prinze, he is not the only reason I enjoyed this film. It's funny but doesn't try to be silly. It's sentimental, but not too sappy. It's smart, but doesn't over kill us with too much intelligence. It's never stupid, and certainly never dull. This film works, simply put.
My favorite scenes in this film are when Al goes to Imogen's dorm room with cake ("Something sacred," he says). The two have a conversation over the cake, which leads to "psychoanalysis," ("You know, we're prime for psychoanalysis," Imogen comments). Al lays on her bed and Imogen asks him questions about his vices (sleeping, beer, wine), he asks about hers (smoking, chocolate, a few others), his past relationships (Faith Keenan--Clepto, Megan Brodski--Cheerleader, Haley Heller-- Scientist), her past relationships (Gabe Stiano--New Age, Ted McGurran--Allergic, and Ricky James--hated by the dog), what they love (him--fish), her (art). They also disclosed their first kisses (shown in humorous flashbacks--his was a woman who dropped a ring when he was 12, hers was her gym partner when she was 11 1/2, who knocked her down with a baksetball). In addition, I liked the opening scene in the coffee shop where Al is observing two young lovers while talking to the camera ("Reminds me of my relationship, except Imogen never wore that much jewelry, and I wouldn't be caught dead in those shoes."), the flashback scenes, the narration, the scene where Al attempts to get over Imogen by drinking shampoo (this actually was the one scene I heard alot about before seeing this movie), and the concluding scene (which I will not give away--its too good).
This movie is a must rent/buy for anyone who likes romantic comedies, Freddie Prinze Jr., or Julia Stiles. I'm disappointed that alot of people didn't like this film, nor did it get the box office success it deserved. This film is targeted at teenage and young adults girls, and probably wouldn't interest the general public under the age of 13 or over the age of 25-30. This was a good-intentions film, and a must see for those who are romantically involved, or for a girl's movie night. I've actually owned the DVD for 2 years (2 years as of today, I believe--it was sometime in late October), and the film holds up well with time. Definitely see this film, there's something for everyone!
I guess I should say right off the bat that teen films are not my bag. I don't know why, its just that overly-sappy stories with 20-somethings playing teenagers has never been my thing. However, I do make exceptions (I'm a "Breakfast Club" and "She's All That" fan). This film is kind of a departure from teen love/teen comedy, because it focuses on a more adult topic: that's right, it deals with college kids.
I only saw a few scenes towards the end first time I saw this, and then the next time it was on TV, I only saw the same scenes. I knew I needed to see this film, but it became rare on the pay-per-view channels I saw the ending on, so I went out and paid $29.99 for the DVD. It's ok--it was worth the price. I was almost single at the time as well (my 1st boyfriend and I were on the outs), and was just turning 18 when I bought this movie. It actually helped me through the break-up--I knew things could be worse.
In this spirited 2000 retelling of "Annie Hall," (which I've never seen), a young man and woman find out about love and relationships during their college years. Sophomore Al Connelly (Freddie Prinze Jr.), is a satisfied college sophomore who is studying liberal arts, but wants to be a chef. Freshman Imogen (Julia Stiles) worships artistry, but according to her mother, "art should only be done on the weekends." The two meet in a bar one night (AL: I thought it was a cool place, but that's because they never checked IDs). Al falls for Imogen immediately, sort of like infatuation. The two begin a whirlwind courtship that includes a conversation over cake, psychoanalysis (I'll explain this one better, because its one of my favorite scenes), sleeping together, and just enjoying each other's company. But, the two become distant, and suddenly Al is floored when Imogen dumps him. He suddenly realizes that he needs her to live, and will do anything to get over her, even if it means going to extreme measures.
While genuinely a sentimental flick, this is light-hearted and smart. The viewer comes away a little more knowledgable about the opposite sex after seeing this flick. You can see the chemistry between Al and Imogen, and Prinze and Stiles capture the romantic scenes perfectly. The story is told from both of their points of view, which is good, because the story would not work one-sided. Every now and then, the movie would flash forward to either Prinze of Stiles in present day talking about each other, giving their take on everything, as well as a great voice-over track from both during the film. Anyone who has ever experienced love lost could relate to Al, but I don't know (nor have I heard of) anyone who has ever tried to forget their lost love the way Al did (that was an interesting part). The reason this film works is the chemistry. Although I am completely over the moon for Prinze, he is not the only reason I enjoyed this film. It's funny but doesn't try to be silly. It's sentimental, but not too sappy. It's smart, but doesn't over kill us with too much intelligence. It's never stupid, and certainly never dull. This film works, simply put.
My favorite scenes in this film are when Al goes to Imogen's dorm room with cake ("Something sacred," he says). The two have a conversation over the cake, which leads to "psychoanalysis," ("You know, we're prime for psychoanalysis," Imogen comments). Al lays on her bed and Imogen asks him questions about his vices (sleeping, beer, wine), he asks about hers (smoking, chocolate, a few others), his past relationships (Faith Keenan--Clepto, Megan Brodski--Cheerleader, Haley Heller-- Scientist), her past relationships (Gabe Stiano--New Age, Ted McGurran--Allergic, and Ricky James--hated by the dog), what they love (him--fish), her (art). They also disclosed their first kisses (shown in humorous flashbacks--his was a woman who dropped a ring when he was 12, hers was her gym partner when she was 11 1/2, who knocked her down with a baksetball). In addition, I liked the opening scene in the coffee shop where Al is observing two young lovers while talking to the camera ("Reminds me of my relationship, except Imogen never wore that much jewelry, and I wouldn't be caught dead in those shoes."), the flashback scenes, the narration, the scene where Al attempts to get over Imogen by drinking shampoo (this actually was the one scene I heard alot about before seeing this movie), and the concluding scene (which I will not give away--its too good).
This movie is a must rent/buy for anyone who likes romantic comedies, Freddie Prinze Jr., or Julia Stiles. I'm disappointed that alot of people didn't like this film, nor did it get the box office success it deserved. This film is targeted at teenage and young adults girls, and probably wouldn't interest the general public under the age of 13 or over the age of 25-30. This was a good-intentions film, and a must see for those who are romantically involved, or for a girl's movie night. I've actually owned the DVD for 2 years (2 years as of today, I believe--it was sometime in late October), and the film holds up well with time. Definitely see this film, there's something for everyone!