Movies

Watched two rather similar movies recently, both independents, both with good casts including a famous face or two, both romantic comedies with a twist, both trying to be more intelligent than the typical Hollywood fare. And both had rather mixed results.

Dream for an Insomniac (1996) had terrific dialogue and great secondary characters, both of which are sine qua non for a successful rom-com. But I don't think I have ever cared less if the designated Boy and Girl got together. The main female character, Frankie, played ably by Ione Skye, was especially annoying. Her single-minded pursuit of David was somewhat inexplicable and rather unattractive, considering he was engaged to someone else. I love the idea of soulmates as much as anyone, but somehow, the way this story played out, I just didn't buy that destiny decreed that these two be together. Mostly, I couldn't wait for the movie to be over, despite a good side story about Rob, Frankie's gay friend, who is struggling with coming out to his very Italian father (played by Seymour Cassel), and a nice comic turn by Jennifer Aniston, who had just found fame and fortune on Friends.

How You Look To Me (2005) is set in an English Literature graduate program at the University of Kentucky, and Bill, the main character, quotes from various classic works, creating a generally literate atmosphere. But othewise he's a rather unsympathetic character, even after he falls for the most substantial (and of course most attractive) female student in the program, Jane. There are poetry slams and scenes in classrooms, so that's a bonus. And a nice side story with Bill's best friend, who happens to be black. Frank Langella provides heft as the doomed professor. And Bill's family owns horses at Churchhill Downs, so it was fun to see places I visited myself just last year. But the emotional impact was less than intended, and it's not a movie that will stick with me, despite it's lofty themes.