LOVE YOU LIKE THAT
Australia, 2021, 104 minutes, Colour.
Mitchell Hope, Allira Jaques, John Jarratt, Chris Haywood, Steph Tisdelll, John Harding, Anthony King.
Directed by Eric C. Nash.
An Australian beach town, pleasant scenery, a whole range of characters you might expect to see in a film like this or a television series, memories of Home and Away… There are some young people, especially Mitchell Hope who runs an online dating agency and has to look handsome because of what the plot has in store for him. There are all the middle-aged characters, men and women, memories of relationships, broken relationships, disappearances… And there are two old codgers played by John Jarratt and Chris Haywood.
But, it is the plot development which seems to divide viewers into fans and those who really dislike the film. The fans see it as a charming romantic comedy, with plenty of resolutions for romance. Those who don’t like the film see it as too improbable to believe, and with too much of the touch of twee.
And this is brought about when John Jarratt finds a woman on the beach, revives her, brings her to the hospital, tries to find out who she is. She meets all the characters, is very nice with them all. The revelation eventually comes through Chris Haywood, who plays Mitchell Hope’s father as well. And, for many, and this reviewer included, beyond belief. She turns out to be the Greek goddess Aphrodite (well out of her geographical origins in the Aegean Mediterranean). Apparently, she turns up in the town every couple of years – and had a relationship with Chris Haywood which means then that her son is actually Cupid!! (No wonder he runs a dating service.) So, the young man has been concerned about an absent mother, clashing with his father, has a nice girlfriend, and reuniting then with his mother. Allira Jaques is quite charming in her way as Aphrodite whom everybody calls Mim because she turned up on Mim Beach.
Very much take it or leave it so, in fairness, an enthusiastic blogger on the IMDb and a blogger who is far less enthusiastic.
gedgundrum9 November 2021
Just what we all need at this time ? An uplifting couple of hours with plenty of laughs, emotions, beautiful Australian scenery. Loved it ❤ I honestly don't understand how anyone could say anything bad about it.
bookoolafarm12 February 2022
I am a HUGE fan of Australian movies but this is awful! Only interesting character is Emily which is decently acted by Steph Tisdell. The storyline is boring and disjointed. I can't believe I paid to watch this.
Seeing the positive reviews I am wondering if they were all done by family and friends of the cast.
