Love, Rosie (15) Home Ents Review
Dir. Richard LaGravenese, Germany/UK, 2014, 102 mins
Cast: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Tamsin Egerton, Suki Waterhouse
Review by Adalean Coade
Rosie and Alex grew up together, and have been best friends since they were five. They’ve been there for each other through everything, and their close friendship has always failed to take a romantic turn. Despite aiming to attend university in America together, a fateful turn on Prom night changes the course of Rosie’s life. While Alex carries on with the plan, Rosie finds her life drastically changed, and committed to staying in England and doing things differently. Over the years the follow the pairs friendship is tested, and their lives take drastically different turns. As time changes things for both of them, it seems a constant case of poor timing. The real question is can they find their way back to each other, or will life tear them apart.
The real charm of this movie is exuded by its realism. There’s none of the saccharine sweet, too good to be true romance of some modern love stories. Instead the movie feels relatable, with the realities of life interrupting a romance. There’s also an interesting cast of characters around the two leads, that introduce other elements of love and friendship. In particular Rosie’s best friend Ruby (Jaime Winstone) plays a crucial part in showing the other side of Rosie’s life – there is more to this film than a one dimensional longing between the leads. We see Rosie and Alex as they battle through jobs, relationships and even parenthood, and the struggle between what they have and what they want.
Admittedly parts of the storytelling feel out of kilter with the world it’s set in – a key plot twist features a handwritten love letter locked in a drawer is perhaps slightly unlikely in a world of email, VOIP and mobile phones. But for the purposes of narrative, these are believable enough. The film has a soundtrack that grabs attention with bold lyrically relevant songs, and it’s filmed against a bright backdrop of England, Dublin and the States. It’s pretty to look at, and not without it’s funny moments.
As hated as the word is, it’s a ‘nice’ film – pleasant and unchallenging. I was expecting My Best Friend’s Wedding – with a wild showdown and little thought of the impact on those around the key couple. Instead Love, Rosie is a much more English affair – with Rosie and Alex both marred by their sense of obligation, propriety, and not wanting to cause a scene.
This is a love story that plays out over years, not days, and it feels like something of a chronicle of the complexities of modern life and love.
Love, Rosie is out on DVD and Blu-ray on 02 March. Buy from Amazon
