I read the book, then saw the movie. Books such as this are difficult to translate to film because they rely so heavily on relating the characters’ inner thoughts and motivations, and on doing so in a clever and witty way that works only in writing. Thus I have to agree with others who say the book is better.

Having said that, I think the movie is beautifully executed and did the best job it could have possibly done with the material. It is visually lovely, and Claire Danes’s and Jason Schwartzman’s performances are excellent as always. Steve Martin was passably good but let me down a little—then again, maybe that is the fault of the movie for losing a bit of Ray’s character in the adaptation.

Awful. Freaking awful. It depressed the hell out of me. What? Why? Why did I watch it the whole way through?

“She asked him many questions. All but the one question that was on her mind, ‘Why me?’”

Damn you Claire Danes.

Part of what made this film-watching experience so enjoyable for me was watching Steve Martin take such an active role in producing his own creative vision. Knowing ahead of time that the film was an adaptation of Martin’s own novella, I was almost more interested in how Martin envisioned and enacted his own role in making this film than his actual dramatic performance. Steve Martin was a childhood favorite in our house, and I think this film showcases a very different and much more mature side of this actor than I was expecting to find. Martin creating his own voice through his portrayal of Ray Porter and as narrator of the film were just a lot of fun for me to see.

Danes and Schwarzman were also a lot of fun—the metamorphosis of their relationship from exceedingly awkward to refined and eloquent was brilliantly executed! Really, really just a pleasure to watch.

This film would have been so much better if it wern’t for Steve Martin. He has a look about him that is silly and no matter how serious he tries to be, I’ll still see him in something stupid like Cheaper by the Dozen or Leap of Faith.

Claire Danes played her role well, as did Jason Schwarzman, but Steve Martin just let the whole film down.

Which makes me kind of freaked out, but really, after having read the book, I wasn’t expecting to be BLOWN AWAY by it (in fact, I was expecting not to be), but I really do think it was sweet, visually is was cute and.. I thought the end was really kinda beautiful.

I like it!

-Carrie.

I thought this movie was okay when I watched it this weekend while Benjamin was at a bachelor party. But then when I watched the DVD bonuses about the making of the movie, I appreciated it even more. The movie is an adaptation of a novel written by Steve Martin. Martin did the adaptation to screenplay and also stars in the movie. Clare Danes is excellent as always and delivers a very sensitive, not overblown, performance. (It’s strange that she is also in The Family Stone, which I watched the same night.) The character of Jeremy was deeply annoying and not likable at all, but they did a decent job of making him likable at the end (their goal). It’s worth watching this, but it’s no barn burner.

I’m not a big fan of the serious romantic comedies, but sometimes Missy picks out one I enjoy. It had some really funny parts, Jason Schwartzman’s character was hilarious, and it was a bit touching.

Three Stars

I felt like this film was trying to much to be one of those sublte comedies (or dramedies) with quirky characters in mundane situations, sometimes even trying very hard to show how mundane, how “real” the settings where . Even though the film had some beautifull photography, like being accentuated by a photo studio style of linghting, I just didn’t care about the characters, in comedic moments, it just felt too forced and as a drama their storyline simply involved a love triangle that doesn’t make its mix of melancholy and self pity too rewarding, it’s ultimately bland. Steve Martin just wanted to be taken seriously, but I just couldn’t stop thinking of Lost in Translation and Bill Murray.

This film made me sad, relieved and happy at the same time. It reminded me of when I was a younger more inexperienced person and would take any scrap of attention from a suitor I could get; essentially making no demands and glossing over the specific details of a relationship- like asking “am I your girlfriend or not”? I think the Claire Danes character sees what she wants to see in the Steve Martin character, because she wants to hold onto feeling loved. She finally asks for the truth and hears it. I think thats an important part of growing up and having confidence – being able to hear the truth even if it cuts you to the bone. I like these kinds of quiet realistic films.

I liked this movie more than I thought I would. I’ve never been a big Clare Danes fan, but I think she was a good fit for this part… When she wins the attention of a much older, sophisticated man, both she and you as the audience are wondering what’s the attraction? Meanwhile, she’s dating another much younger man who seems not good enough for her. But is it really that he’s not good enough or that she just doesn’t want to see and embrace his unique characteristics? Those that come without the confidence, power and charm you’d be more likely to find in a wealthier, established individual.

Overall I wouldn’t say that I loved the movie, but I definitely did enjoy it. It made me think about the beauty of small gestures and subtle traits.