Movie: Down to You
Rated PG13
Romantic Comedy
Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr.,
and Julia Stiles.
Directed by Kris Isacsson.
Produced by Jason Kliot,
and Joana Vincente.
Written by Kris Isacsson.
Distributed by Miramax Films.
Rating: 69%
In another teen romantic comedy about romance and first love, confusion
seems to be the first word that comes to mind. While the film showed
good potential, and had uncanny publicity for a Miramax production, it
fell a few notches short of expectations. Now it did have a few
good laughs, and the depiction of love conquering all obstacles was
rather appealing. However, I stress the words "a few," and it somewhat
lacked style, originality, and an interesting plot. However, one thing
that really saved this film from being totally bad, was some of the
supporting cast. Not even the main supporting cast, but the supporting,
supporting cast.
Set in a college life environment, Down to You begins with Al (Freddie
Prinze Jr.), talking to the audience with a direct relationship to
the audience style. Not bad... yet. As he witnesses a young couple "in
love," he refelcts on his own first love. The only real love of his
life-- Imogen (Julia Stiles). However, they soon realize how difficult
relationships really are, and go through the struggles, and strife,
of first love. It follows their triumphs, their "special moments,"
their hardship.
The plot did have potential. I mean, sure it's only about a couple
and their relationship. However, this could have actually worked.
The problem is that they added so much wierd STUFF that the movie just..
well, it didn't work. I mean, that scene with the wines that were
either "love" or "illusion..." whatsupwiththat? Also, why throw in
that whole twist with all of Al's friends being porn stars? It was just
disturbing. Furthermore, the movie seemed to revolve around actions,
and what the characters did-- not how they felt. It wasn't very
emotional. I have to admit that there were some CUTE scenes with just
Al and Imogen, like when they psycho-analyed each other. However,
on a whole, it's just not quite there.
Perhaps it's their whole perception of college. While there is a lot
of drinking, and partying in college, do we really want our heroes
doing those types of things? It was as if every single character in
the film was so unbelievably self-centered too! Even their relationship
seemed to be self-centered. They liked the relationship because of
how THEY felt. Imogen then wanted out of the relationship because of
how SHE felt. They never really talked about each other's lives, and
feelings. They both talked about art and cooking, they both said "I
love you," but what else? It was like they talked a lot, and they
had fun together, but they never really knew eachother. They "fell
in love" based on a "tingly feeling." I'm sorry but it
was just way too superficial to be charming.
Also, the couple got together so fast and easily, that the movie was
talking about their struggles, before you knew why they even liked each
other. It was like they were TRYING to make some kind of point about the
relationship being true love and not an illusion, but isn't that all
it really was? The film makes it look like an illusion... are they
trying to make it look like an illusion? Again, the word that comes
to mind is "cofusion." Maybe it's me. I don't know. I just don't
really get the movie.
However, there were two characters that I adored. That would be
Al's mom, and Al's dad (Chef Ray), played by two very talented people
who I unfortunately could not find names for. It's sad when the only
memorable characters are not in any credits. But anyway,
while most of the jokes were flat, lame, or just annoying, these two
personages had character. The cooking show was actually a nice twist.
I also liked the fact that there were actually characters in the film
that had selfless love. Ahem.
All in all, it was rather disappointing. Perhaps with a better
screneplay, the movie could have worked. With more conversations, more
substance, more characterization, the movie could have been great.
However, when it comes down to THIS flick, it just didn't seem to have
heart.
