Cowboys and Angels

I rented this movie ready to be disappointed as what many other typical Hollywood movies have done. But I was nicely surprised. It is, actually a sweet and heart-warming romantic comedy.

Yes, I know it is a bit unrealistic and cliché but life is already so dark and heavy, why not open our little hearts to embrace a little fantasy and a touch of Heaven? I know in reality I may never find the one. Nevertheless, it's nice to see that others do - even on a screen.

In an age in which violence and horror movies rampant, a film of such touches my heart in its subtle yet powerful ways.

A plea to my own angel, please come unlock my jaded heart.

Any modern contemporary-set movie featuring a hero in a cowboy hat and a raft of C&W ballads is usually in trouble from the opening credits, and this flick doesn't do much to buck the trend. From the opening scene ( a woman in white strolling through a field of flowers in brilliant sunshine, joined by a cowboy on a white horse...) we are firmly in romantic territory, albeit tinctured with a hint of fantasy.

Haynes' direction is irritating at times. Although he already had three movies under his belt before this effort, with his jarring switch of styles (jump-cutting, hand-held, slo-mo, etc) he gives the impression of an eager young director fresh out of film school, which sits uncomfortably with the sophisticated air he seems, at times, to be striving for. However, there are some good touches in this movie (for some reason, the fat guy biting into an apple in the supermarket then replacing it on the display struck a chord), and some gentle, endearing humour. Nevertheless, watching this movie is a bit like watching a naive sixteen-year-old girl trying to fool you she's really twenty-eight.

I've seen this film several times and it has never failed to move me or hold my interest right to the end. The film starts out with Danny, a lovely guy that has just been ditched by his future wife. In coming to terms with this he meets Jo Jo, a mysterious and attractive woman that takes over his life. Danny is so overwhelmed by her that he follows her on her favourite pastime of attending weddings all over town, uninvited and somehow unnoticed. There is a surreal feel to many of the scenes with the aid of an enigmatic soundtrack. Particularly memorable is a scene where Jo Jo goes to the aid of a bridegroom having doubts and whispers to him some magical words that lift his state of confusion. There's clearly something out of the ordinary about Jo Jo and yet Danny seems too besotted with her to probe into her background. But one day Jo Jo disappears leaving Danny in a bigger muddle than ever. After being knocked-out by some louts outside a bar he is woken by Candice, and on the story goes. The film works thanks to the natural feel to the acting and the clever handling by the director of the paranormal subject matter, i.e. angels. A wonderful idealistic romance that resolves well, but tinged throughout with sadness.

This movie is somewhat of a romantic cliché movie, but somehow it really moved me. Everybody has been in and out love again can relate to this movie. It makes you smile and believe there is still hope of finding true love. I especially liked the music in the film - it really goes well with the story. Mia Kirshner plays a really good role - you can't help but like her character. The lead male character is also quite well played and overall the actors are doing a fair job. A nice movie for a rainy Sunday. And don't forget to invite your girlfriend (or future girlfriend!) - she will properly like it if she is the romantic type, I think.

A sweet enjoyable romance with supernatural overtones. I've heard it described as a very good episode of "Touched by an Angel" which is fairly accurate. There are some clunky moments, but overall quite touching and effective. The two lead actresses are especially good.