A lot like love

(Nigel Cole, USA, 2005)

Is mainstream Hollywood capable of delivering a romantic comedy that isn’t predictable? Judging by this latest Ashton Kutcher vehicle, the answer is unfortunately still a resounding no.

This time paired up with the uninspiring Amanda Peet, Kutcher plays Oliver, a likeable twenty-something who so happens to have an up close “encounter” of a favourable kind with a stranger (Peet) in an airplane washroom. Over the next seven years (!), both go their separate ways, enter unfulfilling relationships, and generally ask “what if…?” about the other.

While there are a few nice moments in the film, and that 70’s guy does have some charisma, it is reasonable to expect a romantic comedy to actually be both romantic and funny. Sadly, neither adjective ever becomes fully realized, as romance involves chemistry that is actually earned, while the film’s so-called comedic moments never rise above sit-com slapstick (sorry, but chopsticks up the nose and Peet walking into a glass sliding door is hardly comedic gold).

With a formulaic screenplay (there’s more dramatic arc in an episode of Punked), an overwrought soundtrack, and an oh-so-predictable ending that tries way too hard not to be, one is left with just another mildly amusing, safe and thus forgettable film not so fresh off the studio assembly line. Unfortunately, with A Lot Like Love there isn’t a whole lot to even like, never mind love.

Review by:
Gary Porter