Dedication (2007)

This movie was a very pleasant surprise for me. I caught it on SKY movies thinking of it as a simple midweek filler for the eve with the tap tap of the computer as I watch. However I was captivated by the acting, the story, the editing and cinematography and put my computer to use once watched to make the effort to write this review.It is not just a rom-com although I understand the need for that classification. It's art by it's communication and without the pretense. The simplest of stories that could have easily been made sickly sweet. It incorporated enough reality without being too gritty. The use of cinematography in conveying emotion was refreshing and observant. For me it had dimension that many stories lack.I was also awed by the fact it was a debut direction by Justin Theroux and I look forward to catching more of his movies in between his acting.Good Job and thank you!

I only watched this movie for 2 reasons. Reason number one, I really admire and adore Mandy Moore as an artist. And second I am a hopeless romantic comedy enthusiast.I think that she is definitely developing her character from out of a refreshing character. She never chooses bad parts that have gratuitous elements of violence, vulgarity or tasteless sex scenes. The man (Crudup) in this is amazing, and yes very misogynistic and mocking of the women in his life. I found the OCD aspects believable and interesting to watch.But the chemistry that develops in his life with hers is really amazing and believable as they are cast well together. I do see that the character of Lucy makes sense in her attractions to men like this. I love the way he argues his apologies. The scene where she and he are in a bar and Lucy puts a stop to his sarcasm is point blank perfect. I know someone much like him.From my point of view the suffering that (Billy Crudup) went through with his abusive mother comes out competently in the screen play. The line about wht life us by the mentor figure Rudy near the end is priceless.Whatever one thinks of the arts, ex-pop stars throw it all away this movie is worth seeing repeatedly.

Calling this a "romantic comedy" could scare off a lot of people who hate the term, and the recent Hollywood films of that genre.In true indie fashion, this film creates a romantic comedy with jarring bits of editing, amazing music that you'll either love or kinda hate (it's as jarring at times as the editing), and a lead performance that begs you to hate the guy.But like the best pearls come out of gritty sand that irritate the clam (or oyster?...obviously didn't take marine science in school), and yes, I probably was prompted to write that analogy after 2 key beach scenes in this film....this film's eventual path to being an odd romantic comedy makes it stand out from the pack.If true love can develop between a woman and a guy who's got seeeeerious issues, then there's hope for anyone. Billy Crudup, like other roles I've seen him tackle, can't act bland to save his life. But that makes for some interesting characters. And in this one he doesn't disappoint.Mandy Moore is practically a bona fide movie star with this film. Through the film, she seems one step away from being a goth-like illustrator scraping her way through life with her talent, and she certainly isn't ready for love either. But when these 2 do connect, the result is all the sweeter.The music is pretty incredible...and other performances like Tom Wilkinson's and Bob Balaban's and Dianne Weist's score as well. To think this is actor Justin Theroux's first film shows incredible promise from him. Show me a recent film debut by an established actor-turned-director with as much moxie as this. (Maybe Zach Braff with "GARDEN STATE"...but this out-moxies that one.) Oh and by the way, I was at the same NYC premiere that the other commentator on here was at. Unlike him, I'm not vying to be the next writer who has to be creatively bitchy in his prose. I'm here to say that though this film might not work for everyone, it'll work for the majority of people who seek it out.And since I saw this film as a pearl that comes out of grittiness...I can be creative too and say that for that viewer, this was a pearl before a swine.

I too saw this film at Sundance and was very disappointed. The film started out with great promise as an edgy, quirky film- especially Billy's Crudup's character- and then turned into any other romantic comedy that we've seen before. It was incredibly predictable, and I was very surprised that it took this turn.I was hoping for more from Justin Theroux on this one. The cast is good, in particular, Billy Crudup and Tom Wilkinson, but Mandy Moore is not well cast in this role. Had her character been edgier, I think it would have worked better. I don't think Mandy Moore's performance was bad; I think the was her character was written was wrong for the film. Wait for cable on this one folks.