The Lake House

In Chicago, the lonely architect Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves) has a troubled relationship with his father Simon Wyler (Christopher Plummer). In 2004, he buys an old glass house in a lake, designed and built by his father, and he finds a message in his mailbox from the former tenant, the also lonely Dr. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock), asking to deliver her correspondence in an address downtown. Alex meets his brother Henry (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) in Chicago and when they go to the address with Dr. Forster's correspondence, they find a building of luxury apartments under construction to be delivered eighteen months later. After some messages, Alex and Kate disclose that she is living in 2006 and Alex in 2004, they fall in love for each other and they try to find means to meet each other.

"The Lake House" is a beautiful and magical tale of impossible love, with a wonderful chemistry between the gorgeous Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. The story has many flaws and lack of explanations, and slightly recalls the idea of the excellent "Sliding Doors", but better off forget the inconsistencies and enjoy the nice love story. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "A Casa no Lago" ("The House in the Lake")

Upon moving out from her beautiful lake house a woman named "Kate Forster" (Sandra Bullock) puts a letter in her mailbox for the person moving in asking that her mail be forwarded to her new address. Much to her surprise she finds that her letter is replied to with a strange response saying that the house she is referring to has been vacant for several years. Needless to say, this perplexes her and so she puts another letter into the mailbox assuring the person that she has lived in that house until recently and that includes the current year of 2006. Not only that but she also repeats the request to forward her mail to an address in nearby Chicago. This now puzzles the new resident, "Alex Wyler" (Keanu Reeves) who is living in the year 2004 and when he checks the address listed by Kate discovers that the apartment building is not due to be completed until 18 months later. So he responds that there must be some mistake only to get a letter back telling him that he should dress warmly because if he is living during the time he claims then there will be a freak snowstorm that night. Sure enough, that night it snows. Not only that, but when he puts a letter in the mailbox for her the next morning he is startled to get a response within minutes. Likewise, she is also shocked when he answers within minutes to her as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an adorable fantasy-romance film which has several interesting twists and turns along the way. Admittedly, there were a couple of subplots which tended to detract from the story a bit but even so I enjoyed this movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

I saw this film on June 12th, 2006 at a preview showing in my home town of Austin, Texas. Admittedly, when I first viewed the trailer it appeared to be nothing more than a cheap romantic flick with a hunk (Keanu Reeves) and a pretty girl (Sandra Bullock). After watching this film, I realized first impressions can sometimes be wrong.

The plot may be a bit out of the ordinary. But if you suspend logic for an hour or two and believe in the magic of the story, it will draw you into a deeply passionate story. There are some twists that may or may not surprise (especially if you're as quick as my wife).

Although Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock have had some iffy acting performances in the past, both put in excellent performances that made their characters come alive. Each characters has a very earthy feel that makes them seem real and relatable.

Overall, I have to say this is a beautiful movie, from the story to the acting to the beautiful cinematography.

I saw this movie on opening night, June 16, 2006 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

My favourite movie of all time was "Somewhere in Time" (1980) which starred Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. I have often wished that someone would remake, not that movie - because it is perfect as is, but more the sensibility and many of the themes of that movie.

There are many parallels here. It is partly set in Chicago. It is about time travel of a sort that relates to time blocking you from the one you love. Christopher Plummer, who played Jane Seymour's manager in "Somewhere in Time" here plays a variation on that crotchety character in the role of Keanu Reeves' father - nicely bookending his career. Also, the similarity in the last names of the lead - Christopher Reeve; Keanu Reeves.

There are so many things I loved about this movie. The soundtrack was pitch perfect, including everything from Nick Drake to Carole King. The wardrobe was beautifully chosen, conveying warmth and romance. The script was measured and never overblown. The performances were genuine and real, even though the subject matter could be taken as fanciful by the unromantic at heart. The direction and cinematography were breathtaking. I would have given it a 10 but for the fact that in some spots the looping for dates was a bit off.

There are many twists and turns, and you never know until the last moment how it will actually end. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and sobbing by the end of it. This is the movie I have been waiting for Keanu Reeves to make for the longest time - I always knew he had this performance in him, but was disappointed by the artificiality of films like Sweet November. And Sandra Bullock has never been better. This is a new addition to my all time top five movies.

You will never look at slow dancing the same way again. I promise.

This is a touching, well-acted, and beautiful looking film. Sandra Bullock and Keannu Reeves have great chemistry together and the supporting actors are very competent. The story is absorbing and interesting, and although its a time-travel fantasy, it's logical within it's basic premise.

Don't listen to the people who claim bad acting. The acting is fine and the chemistry between the leads is very real. Anyone who gave this movie a bad rating was definitely in the minority in their theater - most people at the showing I attended clapped and cheered at the end and many stayed to watch the credits roll - always a sign of a good, and touching, movie.

As for those people who claim that the story is "implausible".... they're probably the same people who think that silly IMPOSSIBLE fantasies like X-Men, King-Kong, Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, etc, etc were great movies. At least the characters and events in Lake House are believable, once the basic premise is accepted. Can't say that about drivel like X-Men.

See this film with someone you love. You'll both like this film.