Wicker Park (2004)

Twisty, flashback(and forth) "romantic" (well, sort of) melodrama has Rose Byrne stealing the film as a lovestruck theatre actress doing everything she can to keep performance artist Diane Kruger and ad exec Josh Hartnett apart. Responsible for the distance that kept Hartnett and Kruger from living together and continuing their romance, Byrne wants Hartnett for herself, seemingly living in a fantasy where she might have him if her efforts pay off. It gets complicated when Byrne enters a relationship with Matthew Lillard, Hartnett's pal! It seems Byrne will do whatever it takes--including using the best friend, leading him on to believe there's a possibility of love and romance--to secure Hartnett, but will she be able to continue the deception? The film is challenging, taking us backwards and forwards to show us how Hartnett wound up with the sister of a colleague he works for at his firm, why he is so determined to find Krueger, how he first saw Krueger and fell in love immediately, how Byrne found Hartnett and fell in love with him immediately, the steps Byrne took (like erasing messages on an answering machine, holding onto a letter, using phone calls to draw Krueger away where she can't be seen by Hartnett, sleeping in Krueger's place and taking her name to keep Hartnett from knowing she had returned from Paris, etc) to try and maintain the separation Hartnett and Krueger have, how Lillard is kept in the dark regarding Byrne's attraction to Hartnett and why she is so elusive towards him emotionally (Hartnett doesn't realize Byrne and Lillard are dating, either!), and how Byrne became associated with Krueger (adjacent apartments).All four performers put forth all the effort their talents could afford, with Byrne positing all the anguish and heart-felt desire her lovelorn character goes through. The obsessive quest of Hartnett to find his beloved (before and after he gains her love) can be borderline creepy at times (in her apartment, for instance or watching her while she trains at a gym), but when Coldplay starts up at the end, you kind of can't help but celebrate their coming together. But Byrne's aching is palpable…she does some horrible things (as she attests to at the end) but it is because she adores Hartnett so much (even if it would never be returned in kind). Lillard, unfortunately, is stuck as the odd man out who was being led around for no purpose other than to be dumped when the time was apt. The difficult labyrinthine nature for which the plot is told could frustrate some, but I found the direction rather compelling in how Byrne, in particular, unfolds before us as a bone of contention against Hartnett and Krueger. The Chicago/Montreal location work and the affluent side of the city (cities) gives the plot extra pizazz. Unconventional storytelling that toys with missed opportunities and serendipity gone awry. Although it is extremely difficult to make her unglamorous, Byrne is presented early on as less than desirable (she's rather drab, with unsophisticated eyeliner), but after some time it is quite clear there's a lovely woman underneath the humble looks.

This review contain a bit of spoiler. I don't know this could be spoiler. Anyway, a bit is exist. I love this movie. This is incredible. I love the opening OST stereophonics' 'maybe tomorrow' It is my favorite song. The lyric is great. And before I watched 'l'appartement' which is original movie. So I already recognized about the story. However, I could feel this movie is better. Matthew loves Lisa. And he tried to find where she is. But Alex interrupted their relationship. While watching movie, I was upset about her acting, because it is really mean. However, I understand her intention a little bit. At last scene, I totally understood her mind. Unfortunately, it wasn't love. She did cling to him. I don't know whether it is love or not. Anyway, She looked so vulnerable and weak. I wanted to she acting more aggressive, but it makes drop in value of movie. I want to see another version, just like women cling to some guy.or the opposite.

After seen enough those cool best "headshot" movies, this was really a positive surprise. I am still sure bit confused about the story so I need to watch it again and again to understand it totally for every detail but..even after one shot it was amazing new fresh experience in movies. Very well done and amazing "cruel" story. And I have always wondered those who watch same movie on and on, but my reason is bit different;)This could really be recommended for those who have seen enough murdering and killing in "good" movies. It was only one heel broken but even it didn't hurt too much;) And as somebody told, after first half hour someone could begin to wonder what the heck is so cool in this boring "Lovestory". But kinda love story it was anyway.

I watched the original French movie on a long haul flight in 1997 when I was 11 (captain's pick). I was so confused yet so intrigued when you know what became popular in the early 2000's I looked and found it again on my campus sharing network. The original made me a fan of French movies, of Monica Bellucci. I was also old enough to understand Max's choice in the end. And i was extremely intrigued with a movie that DARED to tear lovers apart. (I guess It's still a forbidden concept in America). Reading the comments here, I think the vast majority do not realize Wicker Park was a remake. It's not 'unique', it's not a 'never before seen concept', its just a remake of all those things. But I dare say it failed. For one the ending was completely changed. Which makes the movie predictable just like the rest. It took away the element of reality, that men actually have the ability to make judgement and not be led by love and obsession. I guess I prefer movies that tell the truth, like woody allen's Match Point, where people do get away with murder. In this sense, this movie took a great classic, made it Hollywood to appease the audience's appetite, but at the meantime destroyed the delicate relationships that intrigued in the original. More and more great modern Europeans movies are being remade in the US, please people, do your homework and at least give the original concept a try before the remake, you will be surprised.