Hope Springs: A Film Review by Imogene

Hope Springs

Directed: David Frankel

Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carrell, Jean Smart, Mimi Rogers

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Stars: 4.7/5

I really wanted to see this film as soon as it appeared in cinema but I never ended up going –  this happens too much! But I was awfully excited when it came through my letterbox. I couldn’t wait to see it, especially as Meryl Streep is in the cast, and after reading that it’s very good, I wanted to form my own opinion.

The film starts by showing us the lives of a middle age couple. They love and care for one another, but have forgotten how to show these feelings to each other. Sleeping in separate beds and living virtually individual lives, it shows that they barely speak, let alone show any affection, or share any intimacy together.

Kay (Meryl Streep) decides one day that she’s had enough of living in that way and goes to find some help to bring back the spark. She arrives at a bookstore and finds a book that she finds  has some helpful tips, it’s written by Dr. Feld (Steve Carrell). Kay tells Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) that she’s done with the past and wants them both to attend marriage counselling to get their marriage back to where it should be.

At first Arnold is reluctant to go as he doesn’t see why they need to go; as far as he sees it they’ve been perfectly fine for the last 31 years. Kay books a week intensive course for them to attend with Dr. Feld in a remote town in Maine, Great Hope Springs. Arnold isn’t best pleased as he has no mobile reception, and simply finds faults in everything that’s surrounding them. Kay tries to stay upbeat and positive, trying to encourage him to see things for what they really are.

They attend daily sessions at the centre with Dr. Feld, where he would try and get them to talk about how they felt, their sexual experiences and ultimately show them why they fell in love with each other. The sessions are extremely intense as Arnold finds it hard to talk to Kay and Dr. Feld about their intimate details. He is very defensive about his life and their relationship together.

(The Counselling Sessions)

Dr. Feld asked and put up very blunt questions so that they couldn’t deny or talk their way out of answering them and this angered Arnold as he didn’t understand why she felt the need to bring him to such sessions. Kay feels very upset and heartbroken at the lack of Arnolds willingness to change anything and goes running off, feeling as if everything is over for good. She goes to a pub and starts talking to the barmaid, who shows her that she’s not the only person not to be having sex with their partner. Arnold goes to a museum alone, instead.

Getting back together in their motel room they both try and be closer together as Dr Feld gave them a task of holding one another. They spend the night in the same bed, the first time in years and as Kay wakes from her sleep she finds Arnold has his arm around her. They tell Dr Feld of this amazing breakthrough and both feeling more encouraged that things are getting better; Dr Feld urges that they try bigger gestures.

Feeling confident that things are only going to get better both Arnold and Kay try and do more spontaneous things together to make attempts of being able to get intimate. Many of them fail and they don’t get very far on their mission. Dr. Feld tries telling Arnold of how hurt Kay is and that if he doesn’t wish to loose her forever he best take some initiative and arrange something pretty special to get things on the right track. He books a meal at a grand hotel and Kay is very impressed, they talk and laugh together throughout the meal, something that they’ve been wishing on for a long time! Attempting again to try and make love, it ends horribly and are both left leaving upset and confused.

(The meal at the Hotel)

After ending their sessions with Dr. Feld he says that they should continue their counselling back at home. Getting back home, their usual habits of living separately start again. Kay realises that there’s no change and gets ready to pack her bag so that she can cat-sit her friends’ cat, whilst she gets ready to move on permanently.

Both Arnold and Kay lay awake and are restless on that night. Arnold makes the move as he gets out of bed, gets his dressing gown on and sits with Kay on her bed. They both fall into each others arms and make sweet, passionate love to one another. The next morning its clear that everything is much different and that they’re naturally happy to be in one another’s company.

As the credits roll we see a homemade video of Kay and Arnold having an intimate ceremony with their children and grandchild and Dr. Feld is present. They exchange all the things that they promise they will do from now on.

(Back home after things are better) 

I really enjoyed this film so much. I was also pleased that it was as good as the trailer looked. I had perhaps expected there to be more humorous parts, (probably because Steve Carrell was in it?) but despite that it was rather well done. Watching this film there were many cringe parts where you sighed in desperation, because it was so obvious they wanted one another badly. The one thing that stood out for me was that it wasn’t the typical plot of a film of this genre. There was so much hope and disaster that at times you didn’t know what would be best for the characters. Many people who watched this film will see some part of their relationship in Arnolds and Kays. It was a film that we all learnt a couple of tips to bring to our own and it showed that it’s hard work to stay together in a marriage. But it showed that as long as it’s what the couple wants, it’s workable and that things can work, there’s a sign of hope no matter what stage of the relationship.

I’ve never seen Tommy Lee Jones play a part like this before, to be honest I’ve only really known him in the Men and Black films but I loved how stubborn his character Arnold was. I loved how he was so blind to the faults of what’s happened, but it’s only because he hid behind his wall of not wanting to accept things weren’t the same. But he pulled through and went a step further in trying to make things right. The whole film as a whole was thoughtful, and provided some smiles and ‘aww’s throughout. A mature look at an everyday issue.

I gave this film a 4.7 because I really loved watching the film and the way it was filmed showed that there is many up and downs – but it gave hope and was very well done in all ways. There wasn’t many faults apart from I had hoped there would be more funny sections.

Bridesmaids: A Review by Imogene

Bridesmaids

Directed: Paul Feig

Starring: Kirsten Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Chris O’Dowd, Rose Byrne, Terry Crews, Matt Lucas, Rebel Wilson, Ellie Kemper, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jill Clayburgh, Melissa McCarthy

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Stars: 4.8/5

I have to say that I have been looking forward to seeing this film as soon as I saw the teaser trailer! I can’t explain why I never went to the cinema and saw it, but I never quite got there.

I firstly notice that the film cast are not all very well known actors/actresses (apart from Matt Lucas and Rebel Wilson) and despite that, the film didn’t disappoint at all!

The film is about a single lady in her 30’s named Annie (Kirsten Wiig) who is feeling sorry for herself as she’s lost her own bakery business, using all of her life savings to start it up, having no boyfriend (apart from Ted whom she has no-strings-attached sex with, and is always hoping for something more with!) and is sharing a flat with two people who don’t respect her personal space (Matt Lucas and Rebel Wilson). The only thing she sees worthwhile is her friendship with her best friend Lillian (Maya Rudolph).

Annie and Lillian have a very close friendship where they share everything and meet up constantly. Lillian one day tells Annie that she is engaged to her wealthy boyfriend, and naturally Annie was to be her Maid of Honour.

(Showing Annie her Engagement Ring)

I like this start of the film as we all have friends where we can relate to this friendship. It has a very sex and the city feel to it at this stage as it’s very girly with lots of giggling, but it does lay the scene of friendship very well here.. and we all know it’ll go wrong, but how?

At the engagement party Annie meets all the other bridesmaids, Rita (Wendi McLendon-Covey), Becca (Ellie Kemper), Megan (Melissa McCarthy) and Helen Harris III (Rose Byrne). Annie takes an instant dislike to Helen at the engagement party and they both become jealous of each others relationship with Lillian and there starts the competition for her affections.

There is such a funny scene where both Annie and Helen have a stand off for displaying their thoughts and feelings towards Lillian. They take it in turns and whilst it’s pretty hilarious for us viewers it does become increasingly awkward for the engagement party guests. Also another scene is where Annie is driving home from the engagement party as is impersonating Helen. I simply couldn’t stop laughing – simply as it’s something all us girls think and probably do!

(Annie's and Helen's standoff)

Knowing that both Annie and Helen have taken a dislike, Lillian try and encourage them to spend time together, but it doesn’t go too well as they both go into competition once again and purposefully try and hit one another with their tennis balls.

A while later Annie takes the Bridesmaids out for a meal to a Brazilian Restaurant for something to eat and to have time to bond together before the wedding. Whilst Lillian has gone to the toilet, Annie suggests a Paris theme for the bridal shower expressing how much Lillian wants to go there. All the other Bridesmaids are enthusiastic over the idea, but Helen shoots it down by suggesting, obviously a much better idea. After the meal Annie tries taking the girls to a top Boutique to choose the bridesmaids outfits, only to realise that she hasn’t made a appointment, but Helen cuts across and uses her powerful name to grant them access. Annie does not take this well. Whilst they are trying dresses on, one by one all the Bridesmaids start feeling sick and get a dodgy stomach (get food poisoning), which results in a very dramatic scene where they panic and are sick over one another in the restroom. Whilst this is happening Helen orders the dresses she likes best.

At this point through the film you start to see Lillian and Annie start slowly parting away which is sad as they’re childhood best friends. It’s sad to think that a close relationship can so easily become loose, and this is where we all start feeling for Annie as we see Helen stepping into her shoes by pushing Annie out of the picture. She starts acting like the Maid of Honour and Annie is very upset by this. However the restroom scenes were very funny and exaggerated! It got plenty of groans and ‘ugh’ but it was very amusing.. It was just disappointing that Helen didn’t fall ill though!

Worried about her finances, Annie suggests having the Bachelors’ Party at Lillian’s parent’s beach house (simply to save money). Helen once again, suggests this is a stupid idea and books them all off to Las Vegas instead. Annie refused to be bought so turned down Helens advances to buy her a First Class ticket, so stuck in coach feeling ill and scared of flying alone. Helen gives her sedatives and alcohol in the hope of calming her fears, but does the exact opposite. They make Annie paranoid, worried and completely erratic. She has many outbursts whilst on the plane which made the staff stop off in Wyoming, which results on the Bachelorettes’ party being cancelled.  Lillian suggests on the way back for Helen to take over the title of Maid of Honour as she’s worried for Annie’s wellbeing and says that she doesn’t seem up to the job.

 (Annies outbursts on the plane)

We see Annie start falling apart in these scenes, purely by Helens sabotage. Annie doesn’t feel good enough anymore and sees that she’s loosing the one person she needs. It’s very emotional as we all have some kind of experience of a close relationship that starts falling apart and no matter what we do we can’t save it. I personally felt a lot for Annie in this section of the film, as she’s trying her best but Helen seems to be so perfect that whatever she does will fall into the shadow.

Unlucky in love Annie continuingly hopes for a proper relationship with Ted, however telling him she’s happy to keep it casual. She begins flirting with Nathan Rhodes who is a nice, friendly traffic cop. He lets her off a ticket for having her taillights broken and she promises that she’ll get them fixed ASAP.  Nathan is a breath of fresh air as he actively encourages everything about Annie, including her tattered dream of a bakery. He tries to get her to reopen and try again, but she refuses as it hurt her too much the first time after it closed and doesn't want to even attempt going through that pain again. Annie opens up to Nathan and there seems to be a lot of chemistry going.

They both spend the night together and the next morning, he buys coffee and ingredients for her to bake and to also cook breakfast with. Annie is immediately offended of his suggestion and snaps at him saying that the night before was a mistake and leaves slamming his front door.

(Annie and Nathan getting to know one another)

This was such a sad part as they both get on so well and you see her enjoying herself for the first time since Lillian announces she’s engaged. But as it a Romantic Comedy we’ve come back to that all expecting, break up before the make up. Sometimes this clause does get quite tiresome, but in this film it was exciting because as soon as you saw them together for that first time you started rooting for a happily ever after!

After getting back to her apartment she meets both Gil and Brynn up to their usual tricks of making her feel uncomfortable. They call a flat meeting where they all suggests ways in which they can get on better, only for them not to take her seriously, resulting that they tell her they want her to move out. At her lowest, Annie has no support around her and makes the choice to move back in with her Mother.

Annie arrives at Lillians bridal shower, feeling angry that she sees her ideas all around her in the garden and house (the Paris theme). Having no money Annie results in making a handmade memory box for Lillian, which she loves and is happy it was received well. Helen makes an elaborate lie by saying she had no time to get Lillian a present and could only get her a card. Lillian opens the envelope and sees two tickets to Paris for the pair of them to go together and choose her very expensive wedding dress which is made by one of the top designers. Enraged by Helens present Annie once and for all says exactly what she feels out in front of the bridal shower guests. Lillian doesn’t take Annie’s outburst very well and exclaims that she has ruined the shower and tells her to leave and not bother coming to the wedding either. Annie leaves feeling heartbroken.

This film had some really entertaining bits and some shock factors. Annies outburst at the shower was a massive shock factor as whilst I, myself was thinking exactly what she was saying, how many of us would actually say and do that? Most of us would stew ourselves up and vent in another way, but I’m glad Annie did get to say what she wanted, as it did bring light onto how Helen is behaving. It was just sad that Lillian hadn’t realised what was going on, but of course, they never do.

On her way home Annie’s car breakdown and whilst it’s her final straw she finds Officer Rhodes coming to her rescue (or not). Still feeling hurt by the way Annie treated him, he acts very cold and tells her he doesn’t want her to contact him again, and to fix the taillight that she promised to do. Having no-one to call she rings up Ted and asks for him to ride her home. He suggests she does oral sex on him whilst he drives her home; she is disgusted and breaks off their ‘relationship’.

Feeling lonely Annie keeps inside and slobs about being depressed. Megan comes and tell her to sort her life out and stop feeling sorry for herself, it’s only her who can change the things that are wrong in her life – Annie takes notice of Megan and there begins an unsuspecting friendship between them. She bakes Nathan a cake and delivers to his door, over the few days she drives past his house only to see it left on the doorstep and racoons eating it.

The day of Lillians wedding arrives and Annie tells her mother that she isn’t attending as Lillian doesn’t want her there. Helen arrives at the doorstep in a panic saying that she’s lost Lillian and needs her help in finding her. Helen gets tearful and starts apologising for everything she’s done towards Annie and Lillians friendship and begs her to help her make everything right again. Annie decides to help and tries to catch the attention of Nathan in his car as she needs him to trace a phone number for her. As he is still feeling hurt over her past behaviour he reluctantly helps her and find that the phone is traced back to her house.

(As Annie is helping Helen find Lillian)

I loved the scene where Annie and Helen were repeatedly driving past trying to get Nathans attention! It was very funny and showed how much she needed him despite his reluctance. However annoyed he was with her he was always willing to help her when it came down to it.

Annie asks Helen to allow her to go speak to Lillian alone. She finds her hiding in her bed and Lillian tells Annie that she’s worried about her being alone and that Helen has organised everything and how she felt trapped without her friend. After making up and putting Annie back as Maid of Honour, Annie helps Lillian get ready for the wedding.

Annie gets to witness first hand the overdoing of Helens plans as there are fireworks, neon signs and Lillians favourite girl band Wilson Phillips. After the wedding Helen once again apologises for her behaviour throughout the engagement and says she hopes they can be friends in the future. She arranged for Nathan to come pick Annie up in his cop car. They share a kiss and he takes her home saying that he’s still going to charge her for her illegal doings.

It was a great film, I really enjoyed it.  It was lovely to see that Annie and Lillian were able to resolve their problems and overcome it by a mile. I had hoped that the film wouldn’t be ruined by the hype surrounding this film on release but now I do understand when people say it was the funniest film released that year. It was nice to see that even though it wasn’t the worlds most recognised cast that it didn’t ruin the humour or how we related, in fact I think it helped the film stand tall, as sometimes this type of film with the usual well known actors/actresses it can become very samey, but it didn’t, and I was very impressed! I hope to see more of this cast in big roles again soon.

I gave this film a 4.8/5 stars due to format, but storyline was very funny and I recommend to anyone wanting to have a girly night in as it’s a film you can join in with and simply laugh your socks off!

Pitch Perfect - A Film Review by Imogene

Pitch Perfect

Directed: Jason Moore

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Adam Devine, Elizabeth Banks

Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance

Stars: 4/5

(Spoilers!)

My friend really wanted to see this movie in the cinema, but we couldn’t find a time that was suitable for us both to go and see it. So as soon as it was available on DVD, she went and brought it pretty much straight away.

I was looking forward to watching this film as the trailer seemed hilarious and it’s got one of my favourite new actresses, Rebel Wilson (plays Fat Amy). She’s a star that has seemed to come from no-where to being one of the funniest and well- known quite quick. So, on a whole the film was brought to life by her.

The film is about a college student Beca, (Anna Kendrick) who moves to Barten University. She has no interest in following tradition or making friendship groups when first appearing at the Uni, all she wants to do is DJ. Her father who also works at the University doesn’t approve of her wanting to become a ‘DJ’ and want her to throw herself into the world of being a normal teenager. Beca fails to attend lesson so her father comes and makes a deal, where she has to join a club at the Uni. She promises she will make an effort, as he says he will help her with her dream of moving to LA to make music if she does, still want to move after a year. She agrees.

Beca takes on an internship at the local radio station, where she meets Jesse, (Skylar Astin) another student at the University.

We see Beca look round stalls looking for a club to join, she looks at a table which says DJ – which meant ‘Deaf Jews’ safe to say she was disappointed as she wanted to do some DJing! On one of the stalls there are two ladies who are desperate for singers in their group – and we see them literally giving flyers to everyone. Beca takes a look, but she doesn’t have much interest for singing (even though she could and they desperately wanted her!).

(Fat Amy introducing herself)

I found this part of the movie really funny because we get to see Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) introduce herself. She really lifted the film in the comedy sections that she’s in. I enjoyed the film very much as it was easy watching and even though there weren’t as many funny scenes as I thought there would be, it was still very entertaining. All the characters in their own way added to the comedy factor. There were many funny members that joined the group, one girl who was obsessed with sex and another who was a lesbian, and we see her try and attempt to grab the lady parts throughout the film in a bid to ‘protect them’, a quiet one who’s voice sounded like a normal persons whisper and a few others.

Due to the promise she made to her dad, Beca reluctantly joins the Barden Bellas. In the beginning of the film we see clips of the Barden Bellas the year before and they weren’t successful in competition against the Treblemakers (another singing group at the same University).

The group doesn’t get off to a good start as the leader of Barden Bellas, Chloe (Brittany Snow) is very controlling over the songs, layout and dance moves, which start to annoy all members of the group, but especially Beca. There are very strict rules for the ladies as they’re not allowed to mix with the Treblemakers as it threatens the competition and anyone found doing so, lose their place in the group. Beca doesn't abide by the rules as she has an on-going friendship with Jesse which whom she works with, outside the University. The only problem is Jesse joins the Treblemakers – so their friendship in the eyes of the singing leaders is unspeakable. We figure out very early on that Jesse has a crush on Beca, and it blossoms throughout their time together. Beca tells Jesse that she doesn’t enjoy films, who himself is a massive fan – so he takes it on himself to show her exactly how much fun a film is. He shows her ‘The Breakfast Club’ which she finds is the first film she hasn’t slept her way through!

I found Jesse’s and Beca’s friendship really sweet because they both care about each other a lot but they know they shouldn’t.  It was obvious in the start that they’d both fall for one another. The genre suggests that this will naturally happen, as in Romantic Comedy – they always do. But however, it’s always nice to see them intertwine!

They do their rehearsals up until the regional competition and surprisingly even with their tiresome set list of songs they manage to make second after the Treblemakes, this saves them a spot in semi-finals. After the show, Beca gets in a fight and is arrested by police. Jesse calls her father so that she can get released and is angry with Jesse for interfering, which affects their friendship.

At the semi-finals, the group start out doing the same routine, different song charade and Beca notices that the audience is getting bored, so she starts putting some backing music behind the lyrics and the audience start enjoying it more. Aubrey didn’t agree and it all leads to a huge argument over Beca trying “to ruin” the Barden Bellas. Beca tries to explain through the film that they need to liven the set up, but Aubrey won’t hear it. They come third in the competition, meaning they loose out. After a complication from another group the Footnotes, they have been banished from the competition, resulting in the Barden Bellas being able to take their place. After the argument Beca says she quit the group, only to leave them in a muddle. The Bellas continue rehearsing for the finals whilst Beca starts working on the radio overnight and starts distancing herself from the Bella Members and Jesse. After finding a copy of the Breakfast Club, we see Beca feeling sad and lonely, she realises that she misses them all.

It’s nice to see that Beca has realised that she has some attachments to the people around her. Proving she wasn’t the same girl who was more than happy being on her own at the start of the film and she also notices her feelings towards Jesse. It was all very ‘the wake up call before everyone kisses, makes up and lives happily ever after’ but it’s a little of what you expect! (It’s terribly predictable, but every now and then, we all like a comfortable film!)

After being convinced by her father to rejoin the Bellas, she walks in to see the rehearsals falling apart and proposes that they call and open up about themselves. A hilarious part of the film, where we see each of the characters personality. It’s a group of mismatches, yet all bond well over their love of music and performing! We find out that Fat Amy’s name is actually Fat Patricia, which was pretty funny. Several members of the group gave a personal confession to the group, which helped solved their differences. After Beca telling them her ideas the group appoint her as their group leader. She helped changed pretty much everything about the Barden Bellas – giving it the modern lift it needed to win the Nationals.

(The Bellas at National Finals)

At the A Cappella National competition, the Bellas start with there usual routine, only to break out into a new song and set, which helped them change their reputation and win the Nationals! After the set we see Jesse and Beca make up, sealed with a kiss. (At long last!)

We see a 6 month later, where members of the Bellas and Treblemakers are in auditions with new students for their groups, where the Bellas have their trophy sitting behind them.

I did enjoy this film as it was easy to listen to, and even though it had a high school musical/glee feeling to it, it was pretty decent! I was slightly disappointed by the lack of comedy laughs there was, but despite that it did end up being a good film. I’d watch it again, and if there happens to be a sequel, I shall watch that too (as it’s not right to watch one and not the others!). I liked the fact I knew a lot of the songs in the film, which helped it flow. However, it was pretty predictable and we all knew as soon as it started pretty much that Jesse and Beca would get together. It wasn’t particularly new or original, but enjoyed it non-the-less. Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson stole the show with their amazing work! It’s a 4/5 for all the reasons in the last paragraph!

Immy's Review: It's Complicated.

It’s Complicated

Directed: Nancy Meyers

Starring: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Hunter Parrish, John Kasinski, Rita Wilson

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Stars: 4.8/5

(Warning – Contain Spoilers)

‘It’s complicated’ is exactly my type of film. A romantic comedy with fun-loving characters with a slight twist. The reviews with this one seem split 50/50, but it’s a Rom-Com so it’s exactly what we expect. I fell in love with the look of the film whilst I watched the trailer; it made me laugh and smile. Meryl Streep is fast becoming one of my favourite actresses, especially after her performance in ‘The Iron Lady’. (Read my review here)

It all begins with a rather confusing conversation where Jane’s (Meryl Streep) at party and talking to friends with her ex-husband (we weren’t to know yet) and they talk of a holiday some years ago, then in come walking her ex-husbands wife. Now one of the things I love in films is where the narrator is actually the thoughts of a person, in this case it was Jane. You almost immediately know it’s going to be an entertaining film when it’s narrated in this manner, simply because we think what we think – and nothing gets left out!

It’s a really nice film as it’s one that can be easily related to at whatever stage you’re at in life, it’s something you can imagine and where you can really feel for the characters.

So when her ex-husband is with a younger model with the perfect body she does feel a little flung to the side, (her face and narration said it all!) what with her youngest daughter leaving for college and left in a big house all by herself. But she has a successful business that she enjoys and she doesn’t mope – she has plans for her future. Everything about this film felt light, it was very pleasing and full of very big, dramatic, comical moments.

Jane busies herself with tasks like having an extension put onto her already big house and goes to a plastic surgeon which is highly hilarious but runs out after getting nothing done. Jane feels she’s at a time in her life where she can experiment and have fun. She’s free. She has a fantastic group of friends who are very supportive of her decisions and they’re very open and laugh about many silly things and scenarios. (It’s a girl group thing!) They tell her that she needs to date, before sharing and giggling over many sex jokes.

A funny thing about this film is that she always bumps into her ex, everywhere. The best thing to any Romantic Comedy is the chemistry between the main characters – without that it flops. Jane and Jake (Alec Baldwin) have amazing chemistry and are incredibly flirty for which is unusual to be with an ex, let alone an ex-husband. They meet at a bar one night in New York before their son’s graduation and they have a few glasses (bottles) of wine before they end up having sex. It’s a very strange concept when thinking about it during the film because you can understand it, yet at the same time you can’t. Simply because you think to yourself that they’re divorced. Now, there must have been something significant in the marriage to cause the divorce – and it hits you; life. Life happens and it gets in the way of what you probably felt for your partner in the very beginning and I think many people can relate to that situation.

They begin having an affair behind Jakes wife’s back – who he’s trying to have a baby with (just to make it more baffling). Meanwhile Jane is getting to enjoy the company of her Architect Adam (Steve Martin) who she also has fantastic chemistry with. So it is a hell of a twisted romance, but also, I could see how it might all happen.

Jake constantly keeps trying to crawl back to Jane which admittedly gets a little tiring, which I think ultimately pushes Jane towards Adam. Jane just feels like there’s unfinished business with Jake, what with them both sharing 3 children and a past. But, she wants something fresh and untainted – and that’s where Adam comes in. He’s a massive breath of fresh air after all the complications with Jake.

After realising that Jake isn’t what she really wants anymore, she falls into the arms of her beloved Architect, who is completely smitten with her, and the camera zooms out as to say ‘they all lived happily ever after’.

All in all it’s probably a very girly film, for a girly night in. But it was a very enjoyable watch and I’d definitely watch it again! I never feel a romantic comedy deserves a 5/5 simply as the storyline can become predictable. (However this one, I did wonder if at some point she’d end up with Jake) So really, it does have to be praised in the fact it didn’t quite end up how you’d imagine. 

Immy's Review: The Change-Up

 The Change-Up

Directed: David Dobkin

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Leslie Mann

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Stars: 4/5

I started watching this film with a notepad, as I read that it was good to take notes during the movie. I found it slightly distracting as I couldn’t watch as intensely as I wanted (well, at Ryan Reynolds anyway... (Yes, a major crush!)) However, I found that after, it helped immeasurably, especially after all the hilarious moments I watched; I didn’t remember them as strongly as I had hoped afterwards.
I was given the chance to watch the theatrical version, or the Extended, Unrated version – I was guessing this had all the rude bits that weren’t in the cinema! So, I chose the extended version, simply as I wanted to watch everything that was being offered to me.

 I have been finding myself reading the online reviews before writing up my version of events. I want to be able to see how much I agree and disagree with others views – and for this film, I strongly disagree in some cases, yet agree in others. I shall let you all know which points they were. Also I always watch the Trailer before watching a film, as I sometimes find that the major interesting and funny moments that are portrayed in the trailer, can be the only 'funny' scenes which subsequently lets the film moral go down.

I have to say I loved the trailer and couldn't wait to watch it! (I am a sucker for any film that has a gorgeous man in and a belly full of chuckles on the way.)

I watched this film in the comfort of my own home, so it was all very relaxed – but sadly you don’t get the cinema effect. (hmph.) I put the subtitles on and let the film start rolling.

 The Change-Up was an easy film to follow, as are most romantic comedies, but I found it really worth the time to sit down and watch properly. It was simple to relate to in the fact that, it’s a real life plot, and it has real meaning under all the ridiculous laughs. We all have had moments where we have wished for someone else’s life because it seemed that life was better, but it’s due to not appreciating what you've got.

Dave is a father of a daughter and twins, married 18 years, has a successful job; but he yearns for a carefree life, like his best friend Mitch – who secretly wishes he could have the stability and security that Dave has in life.

It was something we can connect and identify with, so in that context it did make you think, but with all the hilarious moments, you do get lost in it and focus on the silly things that happen – because lets face it, what happens, wouldn’t really happen!

It’s a predictable storyline, and yes the plot is hardly the deepest one, but it’s a feel good and enjoyable film if you need some cheering up or something easy to chill down to. I do have to say I did agree with the critics that it was ‘the usual that you expect from a Rom-Com’. It basically wasn’t anything we haven’t all probably seen before. The familiar routine of this genre of film is that they all realise what they had before and wish they could get back to what they originally thought they didn’t want – but home’s safe in the end, for everyone.

I suppose really it’s quite difficult to do a review on a comedy as everyone’s taste is different, but I enjoyed it and had a good laugh at the silly events like when the baby did a poo in Dave’s face, simply because any parent will relate to how hard it can be to balance changing a child. Also, where ‘Dave’ realised how Mitch makes his money, by doing a ‘Lorno’ for a day a year – and being told to do various things to a lady, well, it had its humorous qualities, to say the least. So in another way after reading some reviews it did its purpose of being funny with some eye-candy thrown in, so that's okay, yes(?) I'll leave it for you to answer that question.

The film was given 4/5 stars simply because it was lacking that originality that you want from a film; we all want to see something different and have that feeling of ‘Wow, that was amazing, I have never seen nothing like that before.’ I didn't get it here, I’m afraid, but I highly recommend it if you’re up for hanging out with friends.