COMMITTED

US, 2000, 98 minutes, Colour.
Heather Graham, Casey Affleck, Luke Wilson, Goran Visnjic, Patricia Velazquez, Alphonso Arau, Mark Ruffalo, Kim Dickens, Clea Du Vall, Summer Phoenix, Mary Kay Place, Dylan Baker,.
Directed by Lisa Krueger.

Committed is what one might call a disposable comedy. It reflects many of the attitudes of the 1990s and was released for the millennium. It ponders the issue of commitment, spouses coming to their senses after the marriage and wanting to find themselves, differing aspects and perceptions on commitment.

Heather Graham portrays a young woman, very earnest, who marries a very earnest man, Luke Wilson. But it doesn’t take long for the husband to ask questions about his life, its meaning, his destiny – and off he goes. Shocked, she goes off in pursuit, finding him in Texas, on the outskirts of town. She pursues him, finds the girl he has taken up with and together they torment him while she is advised to go to a Mexican guru in the desert. One of the other dwellers on the outskirts is an artist who approaches her flirtatiously.

It is all a bit much sometimes for the audience but is especially a bit much for Jo herself who is institutionalised. When she comes out, she pursues fulfilment for herself.

The film has a strong cast in supporting roles but is very American in style and tone.


1. A film for the year 2000, the status of marriage and commitment, interest in New Age movements?

2. New York settings, the contrast with Texas, the small towns, the desert? The musical score?

3. The title, Joline and her idea of commitment, her marriage, Carl, his leaving, her being jolted, searching for him, her relentlessness, the experience of the guru in the desert, the confrontation with Carl, institutionalised, return home, Carl and his visit? The commitment of her brother and Carmen? Neil and his presence at the wedding, dancing with her, a new perspective on commitment?

4. The importance of Jo’s voice-over? Her perspective on herself, on Carl, on what was happening to her, on the nature of commitment?

5. The opening, preparation for the wedding, Jo looking in the mirror, lying on the floor, the ceremony? The over-500 days afterwards?

6. Carl, his being absent, the note, his disappearing? Jo the discussions with her brother? Her work at the bar, the range of friends, the two girls living together…? The decision to go to find Carl? The map, tracking him down in Texas? Her visit to his editor, discussions about his suitability for the job – and the response of the editor and Carl’s jobs?

7. Jo, driving, finding Carl’s house, the encounter with Neil, his flirtation? Her tracking down Carmen, the clash, the frank talk, becoming friends? Carmen and her reaction to Carl?

8. Jo’s brother, his arrival, meeting Carmen, becoming a couple, and the final wedding?

9. Neil, artist, living in the community, attitude towards Jo, flirtation? His being at the wedding at the end, dancing with Jo?

10. Carl, his explanations of himself, trying to find himself, as a photographer, Jo and her expectations, his leaving, his reaction to her presence in Texas, further explanations, her antagonism towards him, yet her love for him?

11. Jo, Carmen’s advice, her going to the guru, his genial attitude, sensing her power, the rituals he suggested, outside Carl’s house, her faith?

12. Her being institutionalised, the psychiatrist and the questions? Finally getting out, improving herself, martial arts…? The first encounter with Carl, using the martial arts?

13. The final moving away from each other, the loss of commitment, her wondering about her future?

14. Very American in style and content?