ehutson2001

About 8 years ago, there was a made-for-television movie entitled "The Love Letter". It starred Jennifer Jason-Leigh and Campbell Scott who, although over a century apart, find a way to send letters to each other through a mysterious post office.

Now, I have no idea which was actually written first. I realize that there are only so many ideas to be made into a movie. But, compared to "The Love Letter", this one was just sad. I know Bullock and Reeves are better actors than the impression this one would give. I may have unfairly gone into the movie wanting to compare it with "The Love Letter", but this just comes up short on so many levels.

It's almost like Bullock and Reeves were just going through the motions. And the story-line, which could have made at least a fair movie, just provided a way to painlessly kill a couple of hours, nothing more.

I hate to be this negative about any movie. But, if you feel you must see it, do yourself a favor and wait until it comes out on video and rent it. You'll save yourself a few bucks and, if it is too much to tolerate in one sitting, you can take a break in the middle of it.

During the early days of "Hee-Haw", Archie Campbell delivered the unforgettable line: "Confucious say, 'He who expects nothing, ain't gonna be disappointed.'" That's the mindset I took with me when I went to see "The Break-up". Honestly, if I had had to pay full price to see the show, I would never have gone, but I had a pass which cost me next to nothing and had a couple of hours to kill - so, what the heck! Having said all of that, I was pleasantly surprised. Aniston's character was annoying - but that was the plan, I think. Honestly, I have a hard time watching her in anything. She never seems to play a role - you just see Jennifer Aniston - or your impression of her. Vince Vaughn's character was stereo-typical; but - once again - that was what was called for.

The good thing about this movie was how a first-rate supporting cast and an unconventional story-line made it into something that it might not otherwise have been. I had not really seen anything that Joey Lauren Adams was in since "Top of the Heap" (the Married With Children spin off from 1991). She is a really big part of why this movie works. Her character is so believable. Jon Favreau always makes his characters work. Judy Davis and Ann-Margaret take interesting supporting characters and make them do what they're supposed to do. Vincent D'Onofrio does an unbelievable job playing a supporting role. After seeing him on L&O-CI, that was a surprise.

Peyton Reed, I'm sure, is a very big reason for this one working. Even with great work from the supporting cast, other directors probably would not have been able to pull this one off.

Bottom line, it's not a bad movie. And that was more than I was really expecting.

This movie is what great movie-making is all about. Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou are flawless in the film. The writers manage to make the movie both interesting and easy-to-follow for those of us who sometimes have trouble doing so.

Paul Bettany does a superb job in a role which could not have been easy to do.

And Ron Howard has created a masterpiece. The movie is visually stunning.

Now, to be fair, it should be said that those who go ready to be offended probably will be. But, having said that, I think the movie will be a big hit at Oscar time and will withstand the test of time.