Okay I’ll admit that I have been one of the people over the years that has bitched about the fact that romance films are always done the same way, tell the same story and nothing anything different ever surfaces in the genre. For that reason I am pleased to announce that the film Like Crazy is making me eat my words because this is a romance with a difference.
It begins the same way as most romances with boy meets girl. This time it is student, Jacob (Anton Yelchin – Fright Night, The Smurfs) who meets British student, Anna (Felicity Jones – Hysteria, Chalet Girl) at his American college. A romance begins and the couple become so wrapped up in their relationship that Anna breaks her visa requirements. The couple are then forced to try and make a long distance relationship work when Anna is refused to entrance back into America. The couple fight the legal system, even try to see other people in Sam (Jennifer Lawrence – X-Men: First Class, The Beaver) and Simon (Charlie Brewley – Ecstasy, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1), but they know that love holds them together.
Screenwriter/director, Drake Doremus (Douchebag, Spooner) does a great job making this film seem as natural as possible, and makes the brave decision not to let the film dip into the romantic comedy genre, instead he keeps it steady as a romantic drama. Doremus doesn’t hide the fact that both his main characters are flawed. There is no epic “I’m going to wait for you it doesn’t matter how many years it takes” promises, well they are, but they fall by the wayside as both Jacob and Anna give way to chemistry and natural instincts.
Doremus manages some true moments of suspense as well (think back to the scene as the couple is being questioned about their relationship by the American Consulate Worker for those who have seen the film) and somehow his almost cynical thoughts on love work throughout the film.
The film is also enhanced by some fine acting performances by Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin. Yelchin is a surprised choice as a romantic lead in a film but the brave casting decision actually enhances the film’s natural film… I’m not sure I would have connected with his character as much if he were your tall, dark and handsome Hollywood actor. Jones continues to impress and you just know she’ll be knocking over Roberts and Heigl for romantic comedy parts as the years go on.
Like Crazy is a romance with a difference. The interesting story and intriguing characters make this a romantic drama that deserves its Sundance success.
Year: 2011
Director: Drake Doremus
Stars: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Bewley
Classification: M
Runtime: 86 mins
Rating: 