L'amour malgré tout

I will be short and sweet (kind of like the film was) and won't go into a summary as the rest of the well-written and accurate summaries have been thus far. I thought this film was really good. The casting was great, as was the plot and story line. It was a touching story, where despite the indiscretions of a married couple, you had them rooting for each other to find their way back to each other and to bring their family together.

The movie went fast and even though you hoped for a happy ending, you weren't quite sure how it was going to turn out. I won't spoil it, but the ride to the end was worth it. It is a cute, summer drama that is worth checking out.

Bill Borgens (Greg Kinnear) is an acclaimed author who still pines for his ex-wife Erica (Jennifer Connelly) who left him for another man. He has casual sex with Tricia (Kristen Bell). He pushes his kids to write. His daughter Samantha (Lily Collins) is publishing a book. She insists on avoiding true love until Louis (Logan Lerman) won't let her be. His son Rusty (Nat Wolff) falls for Kate (Liana Liberato) who has a drug problem and a boyfriend problem.

Everybody has their own storyline. Writer/director Josh Boone needs to decide what the movie should concentrate on. It's obvious that the mother is the key to the whole movie. Everybody should concentrate on that like a laser. With the mother being a central point, Connelly doesn't have enough screen time.

Lily Collins' story feels manufactured. The dialogue feels fake. I know it's fiction but it feels very writery. Her relationship with her mother lacks authenticity and Logan Lerman's mother is too symmetrical.

The father's story lacks heat. It does get to a good place but the Kristen Bell part doesn't have any tension. Their relationship has no danger and has no stakes. He is better alone waiting for his ex-wife. At least that has poetry. Instead of Bell's character, the story should develop more with his ex-wife's new husband.

The son's story has a couple of good scenes. It's essentially a coming-of-age story that could exist in any number of movies. While I love some of his turns, it has no direct connections to the mother. If this movie is about him, it would make some sense but this feels like a distraction.

Overall the movie feels too made-up. There are some good parts and some good scenes. I'm glad Josh Boone made a friend with Stephen King. He's obvious a fan and he's got a couple of movies from King material coming up.

i really loved this movie i enjoyed every second of it ! it actually has a meaning ! its more than just a movie about family and love and relationships ! its not like any other romantic drama ...I'm in love with this movie ! very recommended i wish there was a book for this movie.. i think that the reason i loved this so much is that it is so realistic ! the characters are so rounded ! the actors are so well picked they really look like a family to me the work together so well! one of the best movies i have watched in a long time !

I always enjoy that kind of deep meaningful realistic type of movies that give you a good cry in the end ! I even had goosebumps 90% of the movie ! its so touching!

The fact that such a likable collection of actors and actresses is assembled should indicate this movie is worth a watch.

Although the story isn't ground breaking it's not irritating and doesn't lose steam. It's a story about a writer (Kinnear) and his family and their romantic and family relationships.

The daughter is played by Lily Collins who is very pretty and acts well. The still very beautiful Jennifer Connelly looks like she could be her mother in real life with their dark hair and thick eyebrows - good casting. Wish she would act more these days. Greg Kinnear is quite writer like with his beard but he looks a little too scruffy. Nat Wolff as the son is a bit dorky looking for such an attractive family. Liana Liberato is a bit irritating as the druggie girlfriend though. Patrick Schwarzenegger has a small role as a jerk boyfriend of Liana. Logan Lerman play's Lily's sweet boyfriend.

Everyone is kind of nice and sweet even when they aren't being nice and it's refreshing to see a movie with nice people and a watchable cast.

This movie is okay now, but it would be great if they don't make it about writers. They could change the occupation to a more realistic one for the kind of characters they have. I mean please don't demean the profession. The base story about relationships of the family was good. But why did they have to show a 19 year old publishing her first book so easily?

According to them, if you write journals then you would be a great writer. If you are suffering then just go and click click on your keyboard and you are ready with a story that will get "The Stephen King" to call you. HaHa.