Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Fogler, Judy Greer; Director: Brandon Camp; Producers: Scott Stuber, Mike Thompson; Screenwriters: Brandon Camp, Mike Thompson; Music: Christopher Young; Editor: Dana E. Glauberman; Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance; Cinematography: Eric Alan Edwards; Distributor: Universal Pictures; Location: USA; Running Time: 109 mins.;
Technical Assessment: 3.5
Moral Assessment: 3.5
CINEMA Rating: For viewers 14 and above
Burke (Aaron Eckhart) has just lost his wife and writes a self help book to cope with his own grief. During seminars, he helps people who lost their loved ones get over their pain and loneliness. But when alone in his room, he is a complete mess. When he holds a weekend seminar in Seattle, the place where his wife died, he meets Eloise (Jennifer Aniston) a florist who has no luck in finding her true love. As their friendship develops into something deeper, Burke begins to admit that he has not exactly been faithful to what he is preaching because of a secret surrounding his wife’s death. Eventually, Eloise helps him get over his grief and guilt and makes love happen for both of them.
In general Love Happens is technically above average and manages to bring out a happy sighs from the viewers when the end credits begin to roll. The storyline, though predictable, moves decently and the acting is adequate. Aniston and Eckhart make a believable pair. The music is endearing and does not exaggerate the feel-good-scenes. It is good but not memorable and few years from now, you cannot expect it to be in any list of must-see love stories.
There are a number of positive messages in the film. One, it celebrates life and teaches us to accept death. Love Happens illustrates hope as it follows a person goes through his sorrow and his learning to forgive himself and move on. Two, the film shows us how charity is an act when one stranger is willing to give more than he can afford so that another person may suffer less. The movie showcases several characters in their various degrees of sadness or pain while appreciating and people who help them overcome their grief.
