Like Crazy: A Charming and sincere love story
by Michelle McGlynn
What initially appears to be a weepy type of romance movie, proves to be a much sweeter and more genuine affair. A simple, well-acted tale about love, Like Crazy earned the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2011.
Anna (Felicity Jones) is a British exchange student studying in Los Angeles. While in her senior year she falls for design student Jacob (Anton Yelchin). After leaving a love letter, stating that she is of course “not a nutcase”, on his windshield the two go on their first date. The couple quickly fall head over heels and all too soon the time for Anna to go back home is upon them. This is so unbearable for the lovers that Anna violates her student visa by staying to spend the summer with Jacob. Following a week long trip home to England, the couple are distraught when Anna is refused entry due to her visa violation. Unable to return to America the couple begin the frustrating life as a long distance couple. The trials of this take their toll on the young couple, as each becomes more involved in their separate lives. When all the time is spent fighting for a relationship’s survival, when the fight is done will there be a relationship left?
Director Drake Doremus co-wrote this screenplay with Ben York Jones, yet it seems that much of the actual dialogue was improved. Perhaps this adds to the genuine feeling of the story. Like Crazy is thin on dialogue, the couple communicate their thoughts and feelings through looks, while the film communicates through imagery and music. Paul Simon’s album Graceland perfectly soundtracks the couple’s uncertain relationship.
Felicity Jones is perfectly endearing in the role of Anna. Throughout her character seems to be the more in love of the star crossed pair. Jones’s face literally beams with happiness as her character whiles away the days with her love.
Anton Yelchin gives a satisfying performance, but his character is not formed as well as Jones’s. However, in their scenes together there is a sincerity to be felt between the lovers.
Yes, this plot has its holes. If they do love each other “like crazy’ then why does Jacob not move to London? Why does Jacob’s “booming” furniture design company appear to consist of him making the same basic chair numerous times? Yes, this is a romance. A romance that does its best to steer clear of unnecessary, excessive emotions. It is a fresh take on young love. The film chronicles the obstacles of life and how love fares in the face of these problems, if it survives at all.
Early in the film, Jacob gives Anna a bracelet with the word ‘Patience’ inscribed on it. That is what this film requires. Stick with it and you are likely to find a charming, sweet and sincere love story.
Anna (Felicity Jones) is a British exchange student studying in Los Angeles. While in her senior year she falls for design student Jacob (Anton Yelchin). After leaving a love letter, stating that she is of course “not a nutcase”, on his windshield the two go on their first date. The couple quickly fall head over heels and all too soon the time for Anna to go back home is upon them. This is so unbearable for the lovers that Anna violates her student visa by staying to spend the summer with Jacob. Following a week long trip home to England, the couple are distraught when Anna is refused entry due to her visa violation. Unable to return to America the couple begin the frustrating life as a long distance couple. The trials of this take their toll on the young couple, as each becomes more involved in their separate lives. When all the time is spent fighting for a relationship’s survival, when the fight is done will there be a relationship left?
Director Drake Doremus co-wrote this screenplay with Ben York Jones, yet it seems that much of the actual dialogue was improved. Perhaps this adds to the genuine feeling of the story. Like Crazy is thin on dialogue, the couple communicate their thoughts and feelings through looks, while the film communicates through imagery and music. Paul Simon’s album Graceland perfectly soundtracks the couple’s uncertain relationship.
Felicity Jones is perfectly endearing in the role of Anna. Throughout her character seems to be the more in love of the star crossed pair. Jones’s face literally beams with happiness as her character whiles away the days with her love.
Anton Yelchin gives a satisfying performance, but his character is not formed as well as Jones’s. However, in their scenes together there is a sincerity to be felt between the lovers.
Yes, this plot has its holes. If they do love each other “like crazy’ then why does Jacob not move to London? Why does Jacob’s “booming” furniture design company appear to consist of him making the same basic chair numerous times? Yes, this is a romance. A romance that does its best to steer clear of unnecessary, excessive emotions. It is a fresh take on young love. The film chronicles the obstacles of life and how love fares in the face of these problems, if it survives at all.
Early in the film, Jacob gives Anna a bracelet with the word ‘Patience’ inscribed on it. That is what this film requires. Stick with it and you are likely to find a charming, sweet and sincere love story.
