Movie Review: A Lot Like Love

Ever have one of those 'hey we're pals, but why are we so attracted to each other' relationships? The new Ashton Kutcher romantic comedy goes deep into that confusing territory.

Young Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Goth/rock chick Emily (Amanda Peet) meet at an airport. Emily has just broken up with her rocker boyfriend and she and Oliver exchange longing looks. When Oliver goes into the bathroom of his New York-bound plane, Emily follows for an (off-camera) initiation to the 'mile high club'. Confused, after the sudden intimacy, Oliver tries to at least give her his name but she walks away telling him 'don't ruin it'.

Throughout the years, the two keep conveniently bumping into each other for a day or two but they always part. Seven years pass with Oliver and Emily working on careers and failing at relationships until they finally realize, duh, that they belong together.

Like Same Time Next Year and When Harry Met Sally before it, A Lot Like Love focuses upon a relationship that should be an obvious "forever" but the guy and gal involved just don't seem to get that. Both Ashton and Amanda are good in their roles and I also enjoyed Taryn Manning as Oliver's little sis whose sole line in the film (repeated at various yearly intervals) is "Oliver, you are such a dick!" Also impressive is deaf-in-real-life actor Ty Giordano who plays Oliver's deaf brother who has the great lasting relationship and family life Oliver envies.

What bothered this reviewer is the fact that Amanda's character would make most guys run for the hills. She has all these "3 strikes and you are out" rules for men in her life and every time poor Oliver wants to get close she tells him to "stop or you'll ruin it". Argh. Girl, make up your mind already! Do ya want him or not?

That flaw aside, the film has more serious than comedic moments and that's not a bad thing. Also, what it has to say about fate or how dense we all can be when true love is right in front of us, will hit home with a great many audience members. Nothing really new here but Ashton is charming and Amanda is sincere and, together, they make A Lot Like Love, a lot like a decent date nite at the movies.

For an updated old formula that works fine in the new millennium, 3.5 out of 5 stars

Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.