Reviews

Jake Gyllenhaal saves this movie: without him there would be no chemistry and no real heart. While a visually beautiful movie (I would expect nothing less of Ang Lee), it seems controversial for the sake of being controversial. I never felt the spark that apparently has earned Heathe Ledger an Oscar Nomination for this role...it seemed the whole time that he was uncomfortable in the emotional mantle of homosexuality and his downward life spiral is nothing but depressing.

The redeeming qualities of this film lie in the supporting roles, like Gyllenhaal & Hatheway & Williams. With such a young and 'hip' cast it's no surprise that the film has been successful in theaters, but I know I personally went expecting something more after all the rave reviews. If you want a touching story of gay love, opt for Ol Parker's more modern romantic comedy, "Imagine Me & You."

Luke-warm at best, the plot was somewhat better than the first although I really don't like Selene...she is frigid to the point that the sex scene was forced, and really there is nothing worse than watching awkward sex. The visual effects are pretty good, but obviously this movie has nothing on the likes of 'King Kong' or 'The Chronicles of Narnia'...go see those movies instead!

On a personal note, I would like to see the werewolf genre revived and enhanced. Since the original 'Howling' and 'American Werewolf in London' with the introduction of CGI the transformation sequences are generic and not personal. The strengths of this movie (the very few) lay in Beckinstale & Speedman's abilities to convey through acting rather than makeup the supernatural abilities of their characters. And c'mon, a blue dude with black eyes is really not that freaky..he looks like an X-Men reject.

Wait for the DVD if you're at all interested in this movie, its not worth the price of admission so don't encourage Hollywood to make more of these mediocre sci-fi/fantasy thrillers.

This movie is striking...I couldn't disagree more with the opinions that it lacks heart and conviction and is built up on too many clichés. Obviously with the genre it is difficult to avoid these things, but Ol Parker did a wonderful job breathing life into this love story. I walked in with very few expectations and left wanting to own a copy to watch again and again.

The characters, if somewhat two dimensional, are relate-able and passionate. Rachel is flawless, perhaps the best I have seen of Perabo (especially compared to her performance in her other lesbian film, 'Lost and Delirious'). The movie is worth seeing for her alone--she conveys with the simple wring of a hand or glance a thousand words. She brings to the part the giddy excitement of anyone who's ever been in love before, but at the same time deals with the obstacles of marriage and her newfound homosexuality in very real ways.

Matthew Goode also has a very praise worthy performance. In fact, most of the actors here really are excellent in their parts and their timing is brilliant. I laughed out loud multiple times and it was nice to see 'funny girls' on their own terms in the current Hollywood of 'Wedding Crashers' and 'Anchormen' where comedy is becoming routine and lackluster. Gotta love the British humor!

On a final note, this is an exceptional film in my eyes for the way it handles the lesbian theme. Parker is tasteful and human about it, making it about love more than anything else. This is the kind of atmosphere that makes you believe in love, whether you're gay or straight, and have faith that there is one person out there if only you'll keep your eyes open.