On yet another trip to the library for some books for Harry, I couldn't resist another look at the DVDs shelf which is very conveniently located by the checkout counter, so you can't help but look as you're waiting in line! There were lots of films there but this one grabbed my attention as I remembered I'd seen an advert for it on another DVD I'd watched a while ago. I knew it had looked good then, so I decided to take a chance on this little film, and the result was a very pleasant and surprising watch indeed!
This film is actually a remake of a Korean film from 2001 entitled "Yeopgijeogin geunyeo" which is My Sassy Girl when translated. It tells the tale of 2 strangers who form a close bond in a short period of time. Charlie Bellows is a business major whose life is changed in a second when he saves Jordan from dieing on the subway. The two proceed to start an odd friendship, with Jordan's kooky ways drawing Charlie in and things developing. But is there a reason for Jordan's strange ways? And can Charlie
find the normal girl under Jordan's sassy exterior?
I didn't actually know this was a remake until I was looking for this film on IMDB.com and apparently the original is incredibly popular! I clearly haven't seen the Korean version so have nothing to compare it to which according to some of the reviews on there is actually a good thing. This film is marketed as a romantic comedy and I think it certainly does delivery on those fronts because both my other half and I did laugh out loud several times, and it is a lovely film for couples to watch as well.
The comedy in the film is very well done, quite funny for the most part and sits nicely within the film. To be honest, the best part for comedy through the film has to go to Bradford for his quirky narration over the film at regular intervals. Also his general manner through the film is funny and the deadpan expression simply adds to the humour. Cuthbert's character is much more obvious regarding comedy, but I just found it somewhat over the top. In her more serious scenes she was good, but for the most part Jordan's comedy was not that great. She tries to bounce this off Bradford, but he definitely is the most superior of the two in the film.
The idea of a geeky-ish guy meeting a crazy girl isn't new but the way this is told in the story is incredibly well done. We see straight from the off that Jordan is somewhat odd but don't really know why. But the chemistry between the two is immediately apparent, not just between the characters but also between the actors which is one of the reasons I really managed to get so into this unusual film! It was vital really that the 2 leads had a good and believable relationship on-screen because there were hardly any other characters worth mentioning - the film really is about them, and them only.
The role of Charlie is taken on by actor Jesse Bradford, who I've only seen in Swimfan previously, so I didn't really know what to expect from him. However, I was pleasantly surprised by him, he's played a comic role with ease, pulling off the humour and passion of the role very well and believably. I really enjoyed his character on-screen and Bradford was very watchable. Elisha Cuthbert plays crazy Jordan, but I still can't decide whether or not I actually liked her performance. She was very annoying, obviously part of the character but still I was quite irritated by her! But the chemistry between the pair was incredibly good, and consequently I really enjoyed the film and unfolding storyline.
My only niggle with this film is its beginning. It somewhat threatens to be a silly comedy with obvious gags and a very silly leading female character. However, the film really is much, much deeper than you realise and by the end, I was very touched by what I'd seen and thought it was really much better than I had expected. What had started off as a kooky comedy soon transcended into a sweet and touching love story which works on several levels. 2 lovely lead characters, and of course 2 good actors who play them carry off the story very well, enable you to care about them and therefore really enjoy this film. I really liked it, and I think my other half did too! A very sweet film.
Written by Victor Levin and Jae-young Kwak Directed by Yann Samuell Running time: 92 minutes / Certificate: 15
Main Cast: Jesse Bradford ... Charlie Bellow Elisha Cuthbert ... Jordan Roark Austin Basis ... Leo Chris Sarandon ... Dr. Roark Jay Patterson ... Roger Bellow
Thank you for reading.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Great review although i dont think this is one i would enjoy watching
midpikyrozziy 19.10.2008 22:09
Great review, don't think I'd like it though
sghawken 19.10.2008 17:16
A film so bad that it almost was enough to make me never watch a romcom again, trite nonsence disguised as a story - But we are after all, entitled to our own opinions
Oct 19th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
