THE ROMANTICS
US, 2010, 95 minutes, Colour.
Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, Anna Paquin, Malin Akerman, Adam Brody, Diana Agron, Jeremy Strong, Rebecca Lawrence Levy, Candice Bergen,Elijah Wood, Rosemary Murphy.
Directed by Galt Niederhoffer.
There is some passing reference to the literary romantics of the 19th century, but this film is a long way from the literature (in some instances it might be more related to their behaviour in real life).
This is a take-it-or-leave-it romantic comedy, based on a novel by the writer-director.
The set-up is this. Several friends from college days, now in their 30s, travel to a wedding. There will be a rehearsal, a pre-ceremony dinner with lots of drinking and lots of rather silly speeches, the anguish of the night before and then the wedding itself. That seems to be straightforward, but it is not. The main visitor, Laura (Katie Holmes), has always been in love with the about-to-be groom, Tom (Josh Duhamel), but they have broken up long since. But, given the characters’ expressions and behaviour, it is quite clear that the romance is still smouldering not too far under the surface. So, why has Tom proposed to Katie’s old roommate, friend and rival, Lila (Anna Paquin)?
If that sounds interesting, then The Romantics might be worth a look. On the other hand, Laura’s angst is obvious. Lila’s determination is pig-headed with a variety of motivations. And Tom’s behaviour still seems incomprehensible.
Candice Bergen turns up for older audiences as Lila’s mother and organiser of the wedding.
1. The title? Romantic comedy? Sardonic in its characters, dialogue, situations?
2. The director, writing the screenplay from the novel? The film and the bloggers’ antipathy?
3. The Long Island setting, over two days, preparations for the wedding, the wedding itself, the musical score and songs?
4. The situation of a reunion, the friends, memories of the past, in their 20s, study, relationships? The tension building? Some of the guests coming because of the potential tension? Expectations?
5. The situation, Lila and the engagement to Tom, the preparations for the wedding? The relationship, love or not? The invitation to Laura to come? The past relationship between Laura and Tom? Lila knowing this – and the nasty touch? Possessiveness?
6. The Lila, her brother and his participation, drinking, joking? The sister and her character? The other friends, guests, their presence?
7. The conflict between the three, the types? Tom, weak or strong, credibility as an academic? the two women? Laura’s perspective?
8. The dinner, the interactions, Lila’s mother, her presence, dominating, the grandmother?
9. The celebration continuing on the beach, the night, Tom and Laura together?
10. The buildup to the final confrontation, the conflict at the wedding? Audience expectations about the wedding? The weather, the
interruption?
11. Would the wedding be called off? The film stopping and leaving it to the audience to speculate on what would happen?
