A Lot Like Love movie REVIEW |

In a lot of ways, A Lot Like Love is totally predictable.

Nice guy Owen (Ashton Kutcher) and artistic Emily (Amanda Peet) are pseudo friends (pseudo in that they barely know each other, don’t hang out, and don’t speak for years at a time) who nevertheless find each other when aspects of their lives go sour. They’re basically break-up buddies, always available for a sexual ego boost or an emotional pick-me-up. They’re also each other’s imagined The One.

Stop gagging. There’s more to it. While the romantic premise of the movie is nothing short of super-cheese, the understated comedic aspects of Owen and Emily’s relationship are both realistic and charming, making the film as a whole a lot easier to swallow. It’s no bag full o’ pee-your-pants laughs, but it’s funny.

It’s also got some major flaws.

Sub plots are underdeveloped. The costumes and characterizations of the late ‘90’s feel forced. And the film tries to be a whole lot more dramatic and serious than a romantic comedy ought to be. Still, overall, A Lot Like Love is enjoyable. It’s full of the warm fuzzies you’d expect from a rom-com, and while being able to  see all those warm fuzzies coming might not be suspenseful, it is satisfying.

A version of this A Lot Like Love movie review was published in Dose, April 22, 2005 and is shown below. Other reviews pieces are here.

Published in Dose magazine, April 23, 2005.