Sept Ans de séduction

Perhaps this film won't inspire the twenty-something folks at whom it was marketed. They might not appreciate its message, after all, when you're young, life stretches out before you like an eternity. But if you're over 30 and haven't found that perfect person to share your life with, it might really touch you...

This is the most romantic movie I have seen in years. As a regular armchair film critic who happens to love romantic comedies but finds the quality of most to be sorely lacking, I usually start to gnaw away at a film within the first five minutes. But A Lot Like Love immediately embarks on a tortuous journey of love's most confounding mileposts. The fireworks, the mystery, the seduction, the retreat... A guy who wants to get "all his ducks in a line," and a gal who deals with whatever happens to come her way, help each other loosen up their respective rigid perspectives on how life should be lived.

The chemistry between Oliver and Emily percolates over a span of nearly seven years but neither lets it come to a full boil lest it ruin their plans. Kutcher and Peet each deliver endearing performances and actually play against the urge to gratuitously combust making for just the right emotional veracity and sexual tension to keep it real. No "just add water" instant love here. These two take their time to fall into the soup.

This film is certainly easy to look at what with the hip modern beauty of both of its stars decorating every shot. The fly-on-the-wall perspective of watching these two people awkwardly and trepidaciously flirt with what might be, kept my attention rapt, and experiencing it in the moment, I can honestly say that I did not know what was going to happen next.

If anyone has ever had that "friend" that you've know for years, you know you have feelings for them, appreciate their loyalty, and take their bad with their good (because after all, you're "just friends"), but have spent years keeping an eye out for something better, or just not taken that "next step" because of geography, peer-pressure, or fear of rejection, you will appreciate the honesty and sentiment of this story.

You'll definitely get a refresher course in the fact that life is indeed short and a lot can happen when you're not paying attention. Enjoy every moment you can, and take some risks or you'll be looking back on an awful lot of regret. A Lot Like Love is funny and sad, playful and poignant, and was over before I wanted it to be. For me, this movie is a lot like life.

The other obvious movie that comes to mind while watching 'A Lot Like Love' is Rob Reiner's classic, 'When Harry Met Sally'. Both deal with friendship turn into romantic relationship over the years. One key difference is that this film does not focus on whether sex ends the friendship between a man and a woman. Here the two characters already have had a physical relationship from the start. It's the camaraderie that gradually develops. The physical attraction is there from the beginning and the friendship that follows only begs for the two to be together only they don't realize it. Also, 'A Lot Like Love' is more modernized and the two lead characters, Oliver and Emily, are very different from Harry and Sally. Even though it misses reaching the standard of that classic (by a bit), it remains enjoyable and manages to bring a smile. Director Nigel Cole's intentions are noble but I thought he could have done a better job with the execution. While he solely focuses on the lead pair, the supporting characters hardly have anything to do. In addition to that, the pacing isn't consistent and the ending feels abrupt. It is the casting of Emily and Oliver that is the biggest strength. Both Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher share the required chemistry and do an outstanding job. The supporting cast that includes familiar names like Ali Larter, Gabriel Mann and Kal Penn have too little to do to make an impression. Only Kathryn Hahn has a meatier role and she does a fine job. On the whole, 'A Lot Like Love' is a very entertaining romantic comedy, a great date movie for sure.

I had anticipated this movie as my generation's "When Harry Met Sally", as that is one of my favorite movies and "A Lot Like Love" seemed to be it! I do like Ashton Kutcher, especially when paired with above average actresses like Amanda Peet.

The movie wasn't horrible, it was cute, had a few heartfelt themes, wonderful chemistry, good performances and a story that should have promised two characters that you would never forget. Unfortunately, the plot didn't hold up, and in all, if the script had been better, all of these things could have been accomplished. It doesn't let you become as close to the characters as you'd like, no depth is depicted, and all though a few cutting edge dialogue scenes, it fails big time in the sharp conversational aspects that "When Harry Met Sally" thrives on.

It was disappointing, underwhelming, but if you feel you can relate to the characters, see it for a relaxing, think-free trip to the theater, as I did enjoy Ashton, perhaps out of my own bias, but he did what he could with the material and will make you fall in love with him.

Strike three was that he was born under the astrological sign of cancer. Strike two was that he didn't play the guitar. But what was strike one? In baseball, you have three strikes and you're out. They wanted to play the game that way, but could never seem to never figure it out.

Over the course of seven years, you fall in love watching Oliver "Ollie" Martin (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily Friehl (Amanda Peet)'s acquaintanceship turn into a friendship then turn into a relationship. But whenever something remotely beings to happens, a disturbance occurs and we are left at step one. Will their feelings overcome it all or will it all fall apart like each time they tried through the past seven years?

Direction under Nigel Cole won't tell you much. He has directed very few films including Calendar Girls in 2003 and Saving Grace in 2000. Periodically, he has directed television series between 1982 and 1998.

Cinematographically, this was well done and interesting. Camera movement was consistent and advanced. I came across great angles with nice transitions, making the movie more enjoyable.

The acting in this movie was stunningly one of the strongest features of it all. The interaction between Kutcher (The Butterfly Effect, Guess Who) and Peet(Identity, The Whole Nine Yards) was unexpected and almost mind-blowing. As for all of you chemistry students out there, for the record, Kutcher and Peet had excellent chemistry between the two. It would be very difficult to co-star with Kutcher (and pull it off) as well as Peet did. The appearances of other big names really supported the acting foundation. The best friends, Kathryn Hahn (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days) and Kal Penn(Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Malibu's Most Wanted) were great supporting actors. Also, Ali Larter (Final Destination), Taryn Manning (Crossroads), Gabriel Mann (The Life of David Gale) and Jeremy Sisto (Clueless) added their unique spice to the movie.

On a more negative note, there were times when I found myself thinking "What are the odds?" It's not everyday that events like this happen to average Joe.I know, I know it's a movie, but some things in this motion picture were a little unrealistic and immature–for a movie. In addition, some of the writing, though in a "normal" sense for everyday life, seemed wrong for the occasion or event at the time. For what it was worth, all together, it was shaping.

I feel as though the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) stretched the rope on this rating. This PG-13 seemed dangerously close to a higher rating. There was sexual content, nudity and language with a significant amount of drinking and drug content. Although the rating was suitable, it was a higher level of PG-13.

Like many other teeny bopper chick flicks, this movie can be compared to a group of other movies. If you liked Whatever It Takes, Can't Hardly Wait, Spanglish or Brown Sugar, you may become attached to this motion picture.

If you are looking for a "great date movie," I would recommend this film. It has proportioned humor, romance and drama for any teenage audience. The guys will like it, too! If you've ever experienced love–or some form of love–this movie will particularly strike you.

It is true that the way this movie was shot it did seem similar to the Billy Crstal and Meg Ryan romantic comedy. But everyone forgets that Hollywood rips everything off all the time. This film manages to keep the watcher interested and makes you feel for it's characters.

Ashton Kutcher is usually very unwatchable, but in this picture he helps create a shy and ambitious lead in Oliver Martin. Oliver is a dreamer who puts all his energy in creating a internet company to sell diapers. Then there's the always animated Amanda Peet as Emily. Emily from early on tries to push Oliver to explore life. Ashton and Amanda make a great team on camera and also have great chemistry when it comes to the more emotional parts of the movie.

Overall "A Lot Like Love" is a great romantic comedy with real heart and is really worth watching.