While I provide a warning before the main spoiler in this review, in advance I would like to make it clear that the discussion of the film's genre may ruin plot details inadvertently. However, this film has to be experienced to be fully appreciated, so none of these spoilers will interfere with your enjoyment. So going into this, I knew I would be taken on one crazy, demented thrill ride and was anticipating that I would have fun, and laugh, along the way. I wasn't disappointed. In fact, my expectations were surpassed from the opening narration. I knew Joe Carnahan was capable of <more> inserting plenty of style into his films, but this is Carnahan unleashed. I love how it challenges Stretch's perception of fate and that everything happens for a reason, and the growth of his character was well-developed. I am a fan of redemption stories, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, which brought a feel-good element to Stretch's development and rediscovery of fate. However, one genre I don't particularly find appealing is the romantic comedy genre, which examines fate in a more cliché manner, following tropes to a capital T. So, consider myself pleasantly surprised when I came to a realization: yes, this is a comedy-action-thriller as described by this IMDb page, but at it's core, it's a simple love story, a romantic comedy.The most twisted, disturbing, over-the-top rom com I've ever seen.So, immediately, I have to give props to Joe Carnahan. He has tried his hand at several different genres and styles, with a variety of success. It's when a director who likely doesn't have a romantic comedy bone in his body takes a stab at a genre that's become cliché that films like this one are born. Look at the film Her. Spike Jonze is not the type of director who would make a romantic comedy see Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, as well as the Jackass franchise he helped develop , so he makes a bizarre movie where a man falls in love with an OS. Carnahan does not make sappy romantic comedies, but with his dark humor, he managed to make a romantic comedy disguised as comedic action thriller. He subverted the genre, which I appreciate. To avoid spoilers, skip past the next paragraph. If you are at all familiar with the romantic comedy genre, you will already anticipate where the love story is heading, but I don't want to be the one to ruin it. Think about it: the film begins with a narration that says this movie is about boy meets girl, the obvious setup for any comedy. The boy thinks he was fated to be with this girl, until the girl abruptly breaks it off. The boy is now hurt, and doubting fate or even love , with one of his only friends a nerdy girl with glasses. He pines for the original girl, before finally getting his revenge, while texting a girl he hopes will be a new relationship. Rediscovering fate, he ends up meeting that girl, who of course surprise, surprise is his friend, without her glasses, revealing this beautiful woman that he was meant to be with, fated to be together. End of spoiler. When described in this manner, it is so clearly a romantic comedy. Just fill in the blanks. Instead of a man, it might be a woman, who was hurt by another man, and through a series of events, discovers that fate would lead her to the right mate who was meant to be all along. The way I see this, this is a man's rom com. Men don't like romantic comedies mostly, though I realize I am perpetuating a stereotype , but this film has those elements from the male perspective, and therefore it must also have gratuitous violence, obscene language, and the girls need to be hotties like Brooklyn Decker after all, men love big boobs and Jessica Alba, two girls many men would love to hook up with. Carnahan took a tired format and injected some testosterone.And, let me reiterate that this is a very good movie. It's well-written, stylistically directed, and features excellent performances all around even Alba, who has developed a reputation as a cringe-worthy actress, is appealing here . Patrick Wilson makes a compelling leading man. He is very likable, making it easy to care about his plight and rejoice with his growth. When a lead connects to the audience, we become engrossed in their adventures, and this film has plenty of places to take us along the way. Chris Pine is hilarious. I couldn't help but think that this performance could be iconic if the film has success, as the role is a memorable one. I could easily see him playing the Joker based on this performance. Ed Helms also gives a maniacally hysterical performance as the ghost of "Karl with a K", who taunts Wilson's Stretch. There are plenty of laughs throughout, and thrills are there to be had, but the rom com genre permeates the main story. So, the next time your significant other tries to force you to watch a rom com, recommend Stretch. This is a movie that has the love story for the girls and the action for the boys. It's the perfect date movie, for anyone who wants some Y chromosomes in their romantic comedy. <less> |