STUCK IN LOVE DVD (2012)

SYNOPSIS: Meet the Borgens. William Borgens is an acclaimed author who hasn't written a word since his ex-wife Erica left him 3 years ago for another man. In between spying on Erica and casual romps with his married neighbour Tricia, Bill is dealing with the complexities of raising his teenage children Samantha and Rusty. Samantha is publishing her first novel and is determined to avoid love at all costs - after all she's seen what it has done to her parents. In between hook ups, she meets "nice guy" Lou who will stop at nothing to win her over. Rusty, is an aspiring fantasy writer and Stephen King aficionado who is on a quest to gain 'life experiences'. He falls for the beautiful but troubled Kate and gets his first taste of love and a broken heart. A tale of family, love (lost and found) and how endings can make new beginnings. There are no rewrites in life, only second chances.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Stuck In Love belongs to those little gems that deserve more attention than it gets. Who will expect a story about broken family and love can be so touching and funny at the same time.

William Borgens (Greg Kinnear) is an acclaimed writer who is still pining for the return of his ex-wife, Erica (Jennifer Connelly) after she left him for a younger and much handsome man three years ago. Their daughter, Samantha (Lily Collins) an up-and-coming novelist has given up the idea of love and just looking for hook ups. Her younger brother Rusty (Nat Wolff) on the other hand has yet experience the taste of love till he falls for the girl he has always admired in school, Kate (Liana Liberato).

Without being too heavy-handed, writer and director Josh Boone took a saccharin approach to the various complex issues on hand. Boone’s setting of this dysfunctional family gives him plenty of chances to tell his tale of first loves and second chances if not a little too convenient. In spite of that, the indie drama is filled with plenty of lovable quirky characters notably portrayed by an ensemble of familiar names.

First of all, Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman) and Clary Fray (Collins’ character from The Mortal Instruments) makes such a cute couple onscreen. It does help that Logan is back playing the nerdy nice guy from The Perks of Being A Wallflower and opposite Collins’ Samantha who no longer believe in marriage and love, it’s a genuinely worthwhile journey of self-discovery for these two young lovebirds. Unfortunately, Nat Wolff and Liana Liberato’s adolescent love angle comes a bit forceful. It doesn’t help that Liberato’s sweet-looking Kate is a crackhead adding unnecessary drama to Rusty’s already complicated family life.

Kinnear, one of those underrated actors working in Hollywood is simply remarkable as a writer who just can’t let go of his wife. He is insecure when faced with his own problems but confident at every moment dispensing advice to his kids. Connelly is fantastic as the wife who tries hard to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Her emotional scene at Samantha’s book launch is a must watch though pathetically there isn’t much backstory as to why her seemingly decent character has to ditch her family. Kristen Bell cameos as a good hearted, neighbour who amusingly pops in William’s place from time to time for some quickie.

Life indeed takes us to different places at times steer us into a different course and throws in unexpected people in front of us. But one thing never changes, that is with the existence of love, you find that there’s a lot to be enjoyed despite the difficulties. The formulaic likeable Stuck In Love demonstrates the truth of it.    

SPECIAL FEATURES:

NIL

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Dialog and ambient effects is consistently clear and the lifelike images make it a joy to watch on DVD.

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee