Despite some narrative flaws, the core characters are so well written and performed that the film takes on an honest emotional pull. Michael (Zach Braff, TV’s SCRUBS) is a 29-year-old successful professional who is about to have a baby with his long-term girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett, LADDER 49). He’s still friends will the same three guys he was friends with in pre-school. Chris (Casey Affleck, OCEAN’S ELEVEN) is already married with a kid. However, having a child has only made his wife Lisa (Lauren Lee Smith, TV’s THE L WORD) angrier with him. Izzy (Michael Weston, GARDEN STATE) was recently dumped by his high school sweetheart Arianna (Marley Shelton, AMERICAN DREAMZ). Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen, CELLULAR) is a bartender, who is content with sleeping with a different girl each night.
Each of the four friends is in different stage of life as they approach 30. Michael is afraid to get married, because Jenna’s mother and father — Anna (Blythe Danner, MEET THE PARENTS) and Stephen (Tom Wilkinson, IN THE BEDROOM) — are the only couple he knows that has stayed together. He also fears that his life is all laid out for him; there are no longer any surprises. This opens the door to being tempted by the pretty college student Kim (Rachel Bilson, TV’s THE O.C.).
Connected by the theme of turning 30, each of the four friends get their moments, but Michael is clearly the central character, having the most develop story. It’s nice to see all the characters developed as well as they are, however I think that in doing so the main triangle of Michael, Jenna and Kim isn’t developed as much as it could have been. This is the case with Kim. Her personality is developed well, but her motivations are questionable. Michael’s and her meeting at the wedding seems forced and unmotivated on her part. Braff is charming, but he’s not the kind of guy who would inspire a pretty girl to seek him out, especially knowing that he has a girlfriend. Kim comes off too much like a plot device. This seems to be more of a casting issue rather than a writing one. Yet, the triangle still works because Michael’s motivations are clear and the true dynamic is between him and Jenna anyways.
I liked how the film dealt with how cheating really affects the people around the cheater not only the one being cheated on. Braff and especially Barrett give outstanding performances. The way the drama plays out is brutally honest. This is where Paul Haggis’ adaptation of Gabriele Muccino’s original screenplay for the Italian version L’ULTIMO BACIO comes into great effect. The characters and dialogue is so real that we relate. It’s the realism that locks our attention and we forget that Michael’s story never merges with his friends’ tales (which makes Michael seem extra selfish) and Anna and Stephen’s conflict ends too easily.
Driven by well-defined characters, this comedy/drama ends with a poignant and painfully honest look at how our actions can hurt the people we love more than we could ever imagine.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
