I noticed while I was watching it that the plot was predictable, and I saw the end coming from near the beginning of the film. Yet this didn't bother me. Normally it does, but I think in the romance genre, plot isn't as important. I was so caught up in the characters and their stories that nothing else mattered.
I think it's the same type of reason why I re-read Pride and Prejudice every couple years, or a select few other really good romances. Of course Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth will be together in the end, yet every single time I watch or read it, I practically hold my breath waiting for that moment; it's never stale for me.
Anyway, for any of you who like good characters and romance, I highly recommend "Lake House". Though, if high-speed action is more your thing, this movie is not for you. It's gentle and moody.
The basic concept is that Sandra's character has just moved out of her lake house. She leaves a note for the next tenant asking that any mail she receives be forwarded to her new address, and apologizing for dog prints on the walk - they were there when she moved in. Keanu gets the letter and reads it, but is mystified because there are no dog prints on the walk. A couple of days later a stray dog runs through his paint tray while he's painting in front of the house, and leaves prints on the walk. He writes back to Sandra and the two of them begin a letter correspondance. They soon realize that Keanu is in 2004 while Sandra is in 2006. The mailbox is their conduit. The story develops from there, and is never false to its basic premise. (Well, I was never thrown, anyway. I am a big sci-fi fan in general though).
Another thing that I really liked about it is that it was totally clean. No smut and very little language. That never happens in Hollywood anymore, so I was very pleasantly surprised. It's the type of movie I plan to buy and watch over and over in the years to come.
Posts: 180 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
The above post is not intended to contain spoilers, by the way. All the information I give is revealed in the first 5 minutes of the movie.
Posts: 180 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Really? I really want to see it, but then the reviews have been awful, so I wasn't sure. I like that everyone seems to have liked it, though. Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think that most of the reviewers are not used to science fiction.
When a non-genre reader encounters a sci-fi plot, they often scratch their heads and get very frustrated. Genre readers are used to the rules of the universe being bent at the beginning of the story, and the plot following logically from that bend.
I am an avid speculative fiction reader, and I had no problem with the 'rules' of the movie. I thought the plot didn't break them after they were established.
Posts: 180 | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I pretty much felt the way Ann did about it, but there was at least one key plot point that I was irritated with--something major that I thought Sandra Bullock's character would have figured out way earlier in the story than she did. I won't say more because I don't feel like doing the whole spoiler warning thingy. But hey, it was a sweet romance and an enjoyable chick flick, and I thought both actors gave good performances. It gets my thumbs up!
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you're talking about what I think you're talking about, by February 2006 she had not yet received the letter that clued her in to the fact that she'd already met Wyler, and thus should have recognized him when he *censored*. Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
(Although I'll still try to put it in semi-vague terms) But by the time he *censored* she had already had a very emotionally charged interaction with him at the party, even though she didn't know who he was. She would have recognized that magical guy from her past--especially with all the energy she put into helping him! I'd also be surprised if she didn't know the name of the man she'd tried so hard to help. And then when she did figure out her mailbox man was the guy from the party, then she'd know . . .
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Keep in mind the film was only rated PG, so we didn't see what condition his face was in after *censored*. It may have been badly beaten up, swollen, or otherwise unrecognizable.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Puffy, that's the one explanation I was able to come up with. I just wish the idea had been addressed.
But I did enjoy the movie. I thought the birthday party scene was fantastic.
I mean, I wondered why the big eagle couldn't have dropped the One Ring in Mount Doom instead of sending Frodo in to do it--and that is hands down my favorite story, ever! (yeah, yeah, I know, until the Ring was destroyed even an eagle probably couldn't have gotten past Mordor's defenses . . .)
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wouldn't the big eagle have been just as tempted and open to the corruption of the ring as every other ring-bearer had historically been?
Posts: 2267 | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
