"Love, Rosie" (2014)

Rating: R (for language and some sexual content)

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Christian Ditter

Written By: Juliette Towhidi

In Theatres: Oct 22, 2014

Runtime: 102 minutes

Studio: Film Arcade

Summary:

Based on Cecelia Ahern’s 2004 bestselling book, “Where Rainbows End”, ‘Love, Rosie’ follows the ups and downs in the friendship between Rosie (Lily Collins) and Alex (Sam Clafin). Rosie and Alex have been best friends since they were 5, so they couldn't possibly be right for one another...or could they? When it comes to love, life and making the right choices, these two are their own worst enemies.

Review:

This film is…so-so. It’s not a bad film, it’s quite a pleasant one if romantic comedies are your thing but…it’s not exactly going to blow you away.

It’s very, very predictable. Because of this, as the film wares on, the sequence of events that take place soon start to get a bit tedious and feel drawn out. It seems in some cases the bad choices made by our leads are either formed out of bad luck, dumb judgement or simply the fact that without them, there would be no movie! 

One such situation that comes to mind for me was when Rosie got pregnant following a one-night-stand, proceeded to have the baby, raise it for almost a year if not a full year – all without telling Alex. I found this incredibly unrealistic. He was her best friend, they’d stayed in touch in spite of his departure for college overseas, and the idea that she would try to hide it when he returned home to see her was complete lunacy to me!

I also found some of the music choices a little jarring. There is a point in the film after the moment Rosie finds out her current boyfriend is cheating on her when Lily Allen’s “Fuck You” starts playing. So, what should have been an emotional and sad moment where we would grieve with the character became a silly and frustrating farce.  I like that song but no, no, no. It just didn’t go at all. She does punch the guy though, so I guess the scene has that going for it…

Another scene’s music choice which drove me mad also was when Rosie was having the baby (Katie), everyone was rushing around in a panic, and they’ve got Salt N Pepa’s “Push It Real Good” playing. I ask you. It’s a joke that was so ridiculous it bypassed being funny. Who thought honestly it was a good idea?! I mean, really?! It’s just so jarring.

Despite these little occurrences, both characters are quite likable. Rosie is a good person, a good mother, and sensible in most other aspects of her life aside from her love-life. Alex is equally a good person who always aims to do his best, and to do the right thing, even if his judgement is a bit iffy. They are nice together. Both actors are good at what they do and pleasant to watch.

I guess the funnier scene of the film was the moment towards the beginning of the film when Rosie, after having sex with Greg (Katie’s father), realised the condom had remained stuck inside her. Panic and hilarity ensued. It’s certainly a unique situation. That’s all I can say. The ending of the film was one of the better scenes too I think. It was genuinely sweet and even though we knew it was coming from the get-go, rewarding enough to excuse the film’s previous discrepancies. 

I actually really like the idea behind the plot. I have yet to read Cecelia Ahern’s book, but it’s one I’ve always wanted to if I ever come across it. I feel like they could have done so much more with it. It had the potential to be so much more. Oh well. It’s still a pleasant film. And I know that there are quite a few people out there who really love it. I’m just…not one of those people…

Final Rating: 1.5/5 Stars 

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