Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, Judy Greer, Martin Sheen
Director: Brandon Camp (first feature film)
Running Time: 1 hr 49 min
Release Date: Sept. 18, 2009
Budget: $18 million
Average Critics’ Score: 30%
“…the rare Hollywood romance concerned with emotions…” Dan Kois, Washington Post
“…an inorganic soap opera…” Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun
Despite the title, love doesn’t really happen in this mildly entertaining romantic comedy. Eckhart plays Burke, a self-help guru who needs help himself, and Aniston plays Eloise, a florist whose outfits are more interesting than she is. They unnaturally and inexplicably fall in love, and their relationship is as empty as the film’s lackluster title. The main focus instead is on Burke and his grief counseling seminar. This occasionally results in some cloyingness and heavy-handedness, but overall this is where the film gains its heart and thoughtfulness. Aniston doesn’t have much to do with the underdeveloped Eloise, but Eckhart’s soulful performance is one of his best.
