Unless you want to watch someone else’s relationship, don’t go see this movie. Like Crazy is somewhat real which is usually a good thing for nonfiction work, but in this case, it’s so real you feel like you’re watching an actual relationship you care nothing about. It’s like watching facebook happen in real life. The movie is the story about two young adults battling the first world problems of a long distance relationship…and immigration laws. I hated the beginning of the movie – it’s as awkward and silent as a first date; but later on, there are actually some good scenes but they’re not entertaining enough to redeem this movie from boredom.
Like Crazy stars Anton Yelchin (Jacob) and Felicity Jones (Anna). Get ready for a cuteness overload as this couple falls head over heels for each other in the first minutes of the movie. They’re perfect for each other: he draws chairs and she writes stuff. One problem though: she’s English! Wait, that’s not a problem? Well it is for these two and they’re forced to struggle through a long distance relationship. But not after a couple montages of them getting close so we can feel the anguish they must have when they’re separated. “And uh, yeah.” The acting and dialogue fall along the lines of a teenage soap opera and a reality tv show. It sounded like most of the supporting actors didn’t learn their lines and they were just phoning it in. It feels genuine at times but stale in other moments. As for the main actors, there’s a lot of giggling.
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The movie tries to leave you in the dark about different situations but then overtly has the characters dive down various story lines. You can guess what’s going to happen and then you’re proven right. There’s obvious symbolism for the dullest crayon in the toolbox and the drawn out indie soundtrack will certainly put you to sleep if you let it. Date movie this is not as it will bring out the insecurities of any relationship. Girls night out movie this may be as it will allow you and your girlfriends to glare angrily at the screen and be catty towards the main couple’s decisions as you eat Ben and Jerry’s while wondering about that one guy in and out of your life. I wouldn’t recommend seeing this movie in theaters and I wouldn’t recommend watching this movie at all unless you’re into boring characters and tedious issues…or feel like you relate.
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The only greater evil than the characters themselves is the immigration laws exposed in this movie. If there’s one lesson to learn from Like Crazy, it’s to not violate your student visa. Can true love conquer all? No. It can’t conquer visas. Oliver Muirhead (Bernard) kept me from totally hating this movie because you couldn’t help but laugh during the scenes with Anna’s parents. Bernard’s lines and expressions will have you laughing and enjoying the movie after thinking you want to walk out of it. Writer/Director Drake Doremus does set up some scenes for the audience that are really enjoyable to see play out but for the most part, you don’t care for the characters or their devotion which seems to come from nowhere and therefore, you don’t care about the movie itself. I felt like I had a relationship with this movie…a long and rough relationship.
Tags: Anton Yelchin, Drake Doremus, Felicity Jones, Like Crazy, Oliver Muirhead
Matthew Fong created advancescreenings.com and is the lead contributor. He watches every type of movie and will try almost anything twice. You can follow him on twitter here: @matthewfong
