I might have skipped 'Elizabethtown' had I not known that Cameron Crowe directed it. The title didn't seem interesting. I wasn't impressed by some of Bloom's and Dunst's earlier works. But, to my surprise, 'Elizabethtown' is an exception. First it needs to be said that I did not enjoy this movie during first viewing but after the second time, I loved it.
It starts off a bit slow in the beginning but that allows the viewer to be acquainted with the characters. The balance between drama, comedy and romance feels a little uneven at first but it gets better with subsequent viewing. Some of the characters of Elizabethtown are a little overwhelming and the humour is dry, which may not be appreciated by many.
'Elizabethtown' is about Drew reconnecting with his past, his childhood and his loved ones, especially his father. It's about him seeing joy in the simpler things of life and perhaps the best things in life are simple. And, it's also about recognizing your love. It's about being happy no matter what. The film beautifully ends with Susan Sarandon's splendid one-woman act that included her tap-dancing. This is followed by an incredible memorable sequence where Bloom's Drew goes on a road trip back home. This sequence is so beautifully executed that I'd even recommend to watch the entire film for that alone.
On the technical side, it's very well shot. I liked the framing of the scenes (particularly in the road trip sequence). The cinematography is very good. Like in Crowe's other movies, he's made sure that the soundtrack is great. It is well edited too.
Orlando Bloom does very well with a role that couldn't have been easy to play. He does shift in and out with his accent (so does Dunst) but overall delivers a subtle and balanced performance. On first watch, I was irritated by Kirsten Dunst. But during second viewing I absolutely fell in love with her Claire and now see what a good actress she is. Susan Sarandon is terrific and Alec Baldwin is convincing as the jerk of a boss. Judy Greer is great and Jessica Biel is annoying (thankfully she has a teeny role).
There's some resemblance to 'Garden State' but while I fell in love with 'Garden State' after first viewing, I felt the same for 'Elizabethtown' after second watch. 'Elizabethtown' really deserves a second chance. Try it and perhaps then you'll see why. In my humble opinion, it is best watched on a rainy day or when you have just had a bad day.
It starts off a bit slow in the beginning but that allows the viewer to be acquainted with the characters. The balance between drama, comedy and romance feels a little uneven at first but it gets better with subsequent viewing. Some of the characters of Elizabethtown are a little overwhelming and the humour is dry, which may not be appreciated by many.
'Elizabethtown' is about Drew reconnecting with his past, his childhood and his loved ones, especially his father. It's about him seeing joy in the simpler things of life and perhaps the best things in life are simple. And, it's also about recognizing your love. It's about being happy no matter what. The film beautifully ends with Susan Sarandon's splendid one-woman act that included her tap-dancing. This is followed by an incredible memorable sequence where Bloom's Drew goes on a road trip back home. This sequence is so beautifully executed that I'd even recommend to watch the entire film for that alone.
On the technical side, it's very well shot. I liked the framing of the scenes (particularly in the road trip sequence). The cinematography is very good. Like in Crowe's other movies, he's made sure that the soundtrack is great. It is well edited too.
Orlando Bloom does very well with a role that couldn't have been easy to play. He does shift in and out with his accent (so does Dunst) but overall delivers a subtle and balanced performance. On first watch, I was irritated by Kirsten Dunst. But during second viewing I absolutely fell in love with her Claire and now see what a good actress she is. Susan Sarandon is terrific and Alec Baldwin is convincing as the jerk of a boss. Judy Greer is great and Jessica Biel is annoying (thankfully she has a teeny role).
There's some resemblance to 'Garden State' but while I fell in love with 'Garden State' after first viewing, I felt the same for 'Elizabethtown' after second watch. 'Elizabethtown' really deserves a second chance. Try it and perhaps then you'll see why. In my humble opinion, it is best watched on a rainy day or when you have just had a bad day.