Love Happens (2009)

I'm gonna make it short and crispy. Don't watch it and don't waste 110 minutes of your valuable life. One reason why I got this movie was the cast. Second reason, I was almost done with the unwatched movies of my collection. Third reason, the title of the movie sounds something like "Love Actually", which is one of my favorites. But it is so disappointing.While I was watching, I was just waiting, waiting, waiting that whether it might give me something interesting. But, huh! Not at all. Just a mere waste of time! There was no single instance where I even smiled. So beware, guys! Absolute non-sense movie.

I assumed this was a romantic comedy, it does sound like the kind of film that may be, especially when you have the leading actress involved, but it wasn't quite what I expected, but at the same time it was, because of the low rating from critics. Basically Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) is a best selling writer of the A-OK self-help book for people grieving, his motivational speaking about how to deal with grief makes him a minor celebrity as well. He himself had to deal with grief when his wife was killed in a car accident, and he is now in Seattle for a week long workshop for healing, and that could bring a major multi-media deal. While there Burke meets local florist Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston), who has recently broken up with a boyfriend, but she is unaware that he has not completely got through his own grief, being a closet drinker and having mood swings. He tries his best to keep his personal feelings of loss to himself to take her to dinner, and they form a good friendship, but it is unsure whether he can move on from the memory of his wife and have a close relationship with her. Burke's sessions see him trying to get his group of fellow grievers to conquer some fears and prove that they will not beaten in things and can move, this includes for example walking across hot coals. In the end Burke decides to follow his own self help advice tips and in front of an audience to promote his work he confesses that it was actually him driving the car when his wife was killed, his Father-in-Law (Martin Sheen) comforts him saying it is alright, and Eloise and he get closer. Also starring Volcano's John Carroll Lynch as Walter, Frances Conroy as Eloise's Mom, Dan Fogler as Lane, Judy Greer as Marty and Joe Anderson as Tyler. Eckhart does his best to be the man with personal problems that you can feel sorry and hopeful for, Aniston is her usual feisty and nice self, and Sheen in his moments gives good support. I did not feel a strong romance going on between the lead characters, the story struggles to pull you in with originality and depth, I will confess for the majority I found it either too depressing, in need of more lighter scenes, and rather boring, a disappointing romantic drama. Adequate!

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It is a lovely film with several even 'great' moments. It was not what I expected, and to share too much of the film would be giving away some of the suspense of the plot and story and script, which I don't want to do. That would be unfair. It isn't just a romantic comedy, or just a romantic drama. It touches the heart at moments, it touches emotions. It deals with death, emotions, healing, the heart, love, loneliness, and simple ups and downs. Jennifer Aniston is a solid comedian and a solid actress. I admit I enjoy her films. The rest of the cast is solid as well and surprisingly good. The script is good too.If you want to be surprised, enjoy a little film with your self, your family, your friends - this is a nice film to do it with. Enjoy!

I enjoyed the movie up until that poor bird was released into the wild! Yes it is 2011 but I am going to investigate WHY THE PRODUCERS WERE NOT SUED? That was a hugely STUPID thing to show millions of people and the film should be BANNED worldwide! I fully intend to contact as many animal rights groups as I can because of the cruelty this propagates among ignorant viewers and I vow to do ALL that I can to bring suit to ban permanently worldwide this evil movie!Okay I have to add some lines. People release doves at weddings and other occasions and they all die horrible deaths. They are imprinted on HUMANS they are not able to fend for themselves. The animal release programs for endangered species has been a long and difficult program because imprinting on human makes them so unfit to hunt and breed!Besides that there is the fact that that species is a native of the tropics and it needs to be raised in the wild in the tropics to survive. The ignorance of the actors and the producers and screen play writers is appalling! There is supposed to be some oversight of cruelty to animals in Hollywood. How did you get away with that!I am shocked horrified and angry!