Like Crazy (2011)
Is it worth falling in love?
Presentation:
A unique modern love story of young teenagers dealing with physical separation. Felicity Jones is such a sweetheart and Anton Yelchin also navigates his complex character with great nuance. There is definitely a steamy chemistry between the two that really makes you want to root for them. The presentation is natural, non-invasive and intimate, never getting in the way of the characters with distracting frames or beautiful scenery. It all feels pretty raw and serious, which makes it all the more hard hitting.
Conclusion:
This may be one of the few romances you could consider an anti-love film. Its ambiguous ending will likely be disappointing or maybe even infuriating for some, but I think that’s what makes it special. It’s a pessimistic view on love investigating how it can devolve, but I think this kind of movie is what can make you appreciate and change the way you love to avoid such problems. And if you view it that way, I think that’s more impactful than most formulaic romances that feed us artificially positive hope. Even still, there’s a tragic and precious beauty to the naive sense of loyalty for her first experience of tender love that we all cling onto and this emotional dilemma we are forced to confront is what makes this actually a great film. Even if you don’t like it at first, it should haunt you in a profound way. But then again, I apparently have terrible taste in the romance genre so watch at your own risk.
Recommendations
Makoto Shinkai’s most beautiful anime.