AtlChick

I have to say this, so forgive: if you are a woman, you will understand this movie. If only my own adolescence and graduation into womanhood could have been so rich and beautiful. This film is one of my favorites! It is masterfully filmed, it couldn't help but be with Bertolucci at the helm. Liv Tyler is gorgeous and full of youthful innocence, romance and curiosity. For me, the whole experience of naively stumbling into one's sexuality is accurately portrayed. If you go in expecting that you will see a "Hollywood" ending--one that neatly ties up all the loose ends of the character's life--then you will be disappointed. This film is about a "chapter" in the journey of one young woman's life. And it's a fine chapter.

It's kind of funny, but unfortunately they drop the comic ball so many times, that you run out of laughs. It's a timing thing, and they are off-tempo. Sure it's cutesy, and valley-girlish, w/ some 80's hits, but it's pretty much what you would hope a big-budget movie would be able to transcend in the age-old high school reunion theme. Two better rental choices are Grosse Pointe Blank (great high school reunion action), and Clueless (Emma goes Rodeo Drive). This comedy just kind of lays there hoping to be put out of its (and our) misery.

If you like any of the following, you will like this movie: Chopin music, comedies, Judy Davis, romance, cross-dressing, Hugh Grant, period films. It really is a delightful piece to watch, inspired by the long romance between authoress, George Sand (Judy Davis), and composer, Chopin. At times you will be swept away by the romance of the scenery and music, then jolted back into the comedic chase of George's love-sick admirers. So very worth the renting.