LOVE HAPPENS
US, 2009, 109 minutes, Colour.
Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, John Carroll Lynch, Martin Sheen, Judy Greer, Frances Conroy, Joe Anderson.
Directed by Brandon Camp.
Before the press screening started, one reviewer called to another to tell him that the media notes quoted the director as saying this romantic comedy began with the death of his mother. Which sounded rather chortlable. However, on seeing the film, we understand what he meant. Love Happens is a romantic comedy, but it is more concerned with death and grieving and continuing on with life – a context in which love happens.
For a non-American audience, the film is very American, at least in the sense that it is very emotional and not only wears its heart on its sleeve, it is about encouraging others to wear their hearts on their sleeves and to go beyond mere exhibition to communicating (loudly) one's heart. The time span of the screenplay is that of a five day seminar in Seattle on dealing with the death of a loved one.
We are introduced to Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart), a psychotherapist who has written a best-seller, A-OK, explaining how he had come to terms with the death of his wife in an accident. While he puts on the smiling media front (and his agent (Dan Fogler) is just about to score a multi-million dollar contract for radio, TV, publishing and a series of sponsored goods), he has not coped at all well with the death. He covers his refusal and subsequent phobias by working on others' problems. This is movingly dramatised (with some critical provisos about this kind of group emotional therapy) as he works with a contractor, a physically big man, still grieving the death of his 12 year old son and whose marriage and job have crashed around him. John Carroll Lynch is effective as Walter, the contractor.
He encounters, in passing, the florist who decorates the hotel, Eloise (Jennifer Aniston). She is experiencing betrayal by her boyfriend, romantic encouragement and caution from her co-worker (Judy Greer) and her mother (Frances Conroy). Eloise and Burke enjoy each other's company, are able to communicate as friends, but he is still not able to be open with her about his wife's death and makes up a glowing story about her funeral. Also in the picture is his wife's father (Martin Sheen) – Burke has been avoiding his wife's family as well.
Aaron Eckhart is a good actor and is convincing as the assured therapist whose life is far more complex than he will admit. He gives some backbone to the romance and the comedy. Jennifer Aniston does what she does best and is nicer and more sensible than in some of her recent roles. With Martin Sheen and John Carroll Lynch, there is some more emotional depth than might have been expected.
A film that can be seen without apprehension (unless one needs to come to terms with personal grief about the death of a loved one) by all adult audiences. And if you expected a final kiss fade-out, you're wrong. It is Martin Sheen talking with a parrot!!
1.A romantic comedy, the title? Characters, meeting, friendship, helping each other, love?
2.The Seattle settings, the city, the vistas, the hotels, homes, the venues for the conference? Interiors?
3.The musical score, popular songs? Commenting on the action?
4.Grief issues, their importance, facing reality, therapy, freedom? Moving on?
5.Burke and his travelling, packing, the plane, losing his luggage, the frustration, not going in the elevator? Settling into the hotel?
6.His being a celebrity, the book, AOK? People recognising him, giving him his key sign? Lane, his manager, the discussions, the contracts and the plans? The seminar, the various days? The stage build-up, Burke outside the hall, entering, his smile, performance? The response of the crowd? A US show?
7.The reality of his life, not facing the reality of his wife’s death? His father-in-law accosting him? The book, his description of what happened? The flashbacks to the crash – finally revealing that he was driving? His story of the funeral and its beauty – and the reality that he didn’t go? Eloise and the challenge? Telling her the truth? The cemetery? The effect on his life?
8.Eloise, the flower designs in the hotel, renewing the flowers, the jokes about the difficult words, looking them up, writing them on the wall? The final joke about people who like to write long words? Her boyfriend and the break-up? Seeing Burke, her reaction to him? The meeting, talking, observing him in action at the seminar? Her going out with him? Taking him to meet her mother, her mother liking the celebrity, urging her on? Marty and her work at the shop, her giving advice to Eloise?
9.The importance of the deal, the media, the exposure, the sponsorships? The meetings with the executives? The showbiz style? Lane, desperation, hard work for the contracts?
10.Burke, his letting loose, enjoying the time with Eloise, free, late for the meetings?
11.Lane in himself, the long friendship, the hard work, his advice to Burke?
12.The various sessions, the therapies, the style, the small group work? The American enthusiastic response?
13.Walter, his wanting a refund, Burke talking with him, the genuine sympathy, Walter’s story, his son and his death, his continued grief, the decision to stay, not wanting to do some of the exercises, Burke capitalising on Walter’s work, his losing his job, his wife, taking him to the hardware store, bringing him back to life?
14.The hot coals incident, the people trusting Burke? Burke standing on the hot coals – and burning his feet?
15.The genuine relationship between Burke and Eloise, genuine friendship, the ability to talk frankly with each other? Eloise offering the challenge about Burke’s grief?
16.Burke, his reactions, the flowers, the apology?
17.The issue of the parrot, going to his in-laws’ house, kidnapping the parrot, going into the woods, setting it free?
18.The finale, putting on the show, the smile, not talking well, people’s apprehension, his apology to the group, acknowledging the truth? The executives and their finding his way of dealing with the truth refreshing?
19.His father-in-law, coming to the session, affirming him, telling him that they lost not only a daughter but a son and never having blamed him?
20.Love happens – to ordinary people, in different ways, credible?
21.The avoiding of a too-neat happy ending – with Martin Sheen and the parrot?
