SYNOPSIS:
When
second-graders Bryce and Juli first meet, Juli knows it's
love. Bryce isn't so sure. In the days and years ahead, Bryce
(Callan McAuliffe) does all he can to keep his wannabe girlfriend
at arm's length – and the smart, independent-minded
Juli (Madeline Carroll) continues to give him the benefit
of the doubt... for the next six years, which isn't easy since
they go to the same school and live across the street from
each other. But if Juli finally looks away, will it be Bryce's
turn to be dazzled? This tender coming-of-age romantic comedy
from director Rob Reiner takes the pair from grade school
to junior high, through triumph and disaster, family drama
and first love, as they make discoveries that will define
who they are – and who they are to each other.
MOVIE REVIEW:
There’s always this thing about the
past which we enjoy revisiting. They call it…nostalgia.
That is also probably the reason why our first loves (more
often than not, they take place during those years when we
were cute and adorable) will always have a place in our memory.
And that is also why movies like that appeal to the masses:
Be sure you cast some endearing kids, ensure an eye pleasing
set design to recreate the past, and voila – you get
a crowd pleasing flick about reminiscing in the sweetness
of first loves.
The story is oh so familiar – based
on Wendelin Van Draanen’s novel of the same name, the
protagonists are two eighth graders who start off being total
opposites (yes, they engage in the usual bickering) but gradually
start to have feelings for each other. Will they end up as
a happy couple (we aren’t sure about the happily ever
part)? Your guess is as good as ours.
The leads are played by unfamiliar faces
(Madeline Carroll and Callan McAuliffe, anyone?) but for this
case, this works perfectly fine. What audiences would be looking
out for is the all rounded feel good atmosphere, which means
big names wouldn’t be much of a draw. Carroll and McAuliffe
are pleasant as the movie’s central characters. One
can feel their mutual dislike for each other grow into a lovey
dovey affection, which is a theme viewers will never grow
tired of.
Supporting characters played by Anthony Edwards,
John Mahoney and Aidan Quinn do nothing but serve as formulaic
characters you’d expect in a wholesome novel about family
and love.
Director Rob Reiner is no stranger to making
feel good movies. His past works The Bucket List (2007) and
When Harry Met Sally… (1989), and they are known to
have made people laugh and cry about the intricacies of life.
In his latest work (which was mysteriously omitted for a local
theatrical release), Reiner adapts Van Draanen’s novel
with fellow writer Andrew Scheinman and charms the screen
with the 1950s American suburban lifestyle. Expect dialogues
which may sound a little dated, and lots of eye pleasing set
designs which we urbanites do not have the luxury to enjoy
with our hectic schedules.
The
film alternates between the two central characters’
voiceovers and their perspectives on the same incidents. While
this may prove to be predictable after a while, it is still
a fuss free 90 minute journey on the memory lane to relive
some of the most unforgettable moments of our lives.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
The Code 3 DVD includes a brief but adorable
three minute Anatomy of a Near-Kiss where you’d chuckle
at the young stars’ first on screen kissing scene.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The
visual transfer of the movie is pristine and clear. You can
watch it in either English or Thai.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
Posted
on 30 March 2011
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