Day 26 - Crazy, Stupid, Love
First Impressions:
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a well-written multi-story rom-com featuring actors we've seen on the list: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" follows the interconnected formula of "He's Just Not That Into You" and "Love Actually", tackling generational love arcs. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a critical success and has its moments, but as an iconic movie in the top five? No. There is one scene that sets this movie apart from the chaff and that is Ryan Gosling's big move. If not for the "Dirty Dancing" scene, I can't see this movie breaking the top five.
When I finished the movie I felt like there should have been some Van Morrison. I feel like the writers missed a big opportunity not ending the movie with 'Crazy Love' by Van Morrison.
Personal Reflections:
"I have loved her even when I hated her... only married couples'll understand that one..."
Like other millennial rom-coms, "Crazy, Stupid, Love" pokes fun at itself: When it starts to rain after the parent-teacher conference, Cal looks up and says, "What a cliche." This segues into the pivot of the movie, Ryan Gosling's big move in which a rain-soaked and Hannah finds herself soaring above Ryan Gosling's fantastic abs to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life". In so far as rom-com porn goes, it doesn't get better than this.
This scene snagged my interest for another reason as well. Hannah does not refer to Jacob by name and there's this cute moment where Ryan Gosling reminds her that he has a name and is not just a well-chiseled torso. This is the first time I've seen a man properly objectified in a rom-com. In "What Women Want", Flo, Nick's building concierge, makes aggressive comments about Nick's ass which makes Nick uncomfortable. This didn't feel like objectification to me so much as a man's voice in a woman's head to prove a point. The subtle female-gaze of "Crazy, Stupid, Love" hits the mark.
Hannah is vulnerable about her own insecurities. When she sees Jacob un-shirted she asks where the dim lighting is. I liked this touch of humility. I think this resonates with women and the writer did a great job of really understanding his characters and their feelings.
The makeover trope is subverted in that the male character, Cal gets a makeover to win the girl instead of the girl getting the makeover to win over her prom crush.
The good news is that from "What Happens in Vegas" to "Crazy, Stupid, Love", you will hate your partner from time to time and that is okay.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" falls squarely into the 'meant-to-be' column. Never give up on your soul mate.
Big move aside, "Crazy Stupid, Love" touches on keeping a relationship alive (perhaps had Cal and Emily seen "50 First Dates"), maintaining identity in a relationship, and the magic of a makeover! Unless you're in a frat or Steve Jobs, New Balance 407s have no place on your feet.
Rom-Com Tropes:
1. Makeover
2. Rain scene
3. Soul mates
Soundtrack:
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" opted for cool, featuring tracks by Theivery Corporation, Bonobo, Jose Gonzales, which I think was a mistake given the heart-felt nature of the film. I did appreciate Spandau Ballet's "True" ending the movie, but I can't get over the absence of Van Morrison. I wonder if they went with "True" as an homage to "The Wedding Singer".
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a well-written multi-story rom-com featuring actors we've seen on the list: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" follows the interconnected formula of "He's Just Not That Into You" and "Love Actually", tackling generational love arcs. "Crazy, Stupid, Love" is a critical success and has its moments, but as an iconic movie in the top five? No. There is one scene that sets this movie apart from the chaff and that is Ryan Gosling's big move. If not for the "Dirty Dancing" scene, I can't see this movie breaking the top five.
When I finished the movie I felt like there should have been some Van Morrison. I feel like the writers missed a big opportunity not ending the movie with 'Crazy Love' by Van Morrison.
Personal Reflections:
"I have loved her even when I hated her... only married couples'll understand that one..."
Like other millennial rom-coms, "Crazy, Stupid, Love" pokes fun at itself: When it starts to rain after the parent-teacher conference, Cal looks up and says, "What a cliche." This segues into the pivot of the movie, Ryan Gosling's big move in which a rain-soaked and Hannah finds herself soaring above Ryan Gosling's fantastic abs to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life". In so far as rom-com porn goes, it doesn't get better than this.
This scene snagged my interest for another reason as well. Hannah does not refer to Jacob by name and there's this cute moment where Ryan Gosling reminds her that he has a name and is not just a well-chiseled torso. This is the first time I've seen a man properly objectified in a rom-com. In "What Women Want", Flo, Nick's building concierge, makes aggressive comments about Nick's ass which makes Nick uncomfortable. This didn't feel like objectification to me so much as a man's voice in a woman's head to prove a point. The subtle female-gaze of "Crazy, Stupid, Love" hits the mark.
Hannah is vulnerable about her own insecurities. When she sees Jacob un-shirted she asks where the dim lighting is. I liked this touch of humility. I think this resonates with women and the writer did a great job of really understanding his characters and their feelings.
The makeover trope is subverted in that the male character, Cal gets a makeover to win the girl instead of the girl getting the makeover to win over her prom crush.
The good news is that from "What Happens in Vegas" to "Crazy, Stupid, Love", you will hate your partner from time to time and that is okay.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" falls squarely into the 'meant-to-be' column. Never give up on your soul mate.
Big move aside, "Crazy Stupid, Love" touches on keeping a relationship alive (perhaps had Cal and Emily seen "50 First Dates"), maintaining identity in a relationship, and the magic of a makeover! Unless you're in a frat or Steve Jobs, New Balance 407s have no place on your feet.
Rom-Com Tropes:
1. Makeover
2. Rain scene
3. Soul mates
Soundtrack:
"Crazy, Stupid, Love" opted for cool, featuring tracks by Theivery Corporation, Bonobo, Jose Gonzales, which I think was a mistake given the heart-felt nature of the film. I did appreciate Spandau Ballet's "True" ending the movie, but I can't get over the absence of Van Morrison. I wonder if they went with "True" as an homage to "The Wedding Singer".
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