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Like Crazy

Release Date 27 Jan 2012 TBA

  • User rating
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
  • Critic rating
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.

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Certificate: 12A

Genre: Drama | Romance

A British college student falls for an American student, only to be separated from him when she's banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa.

Cast:
Oliver Muirhead | Chris Messina | Felicity Jones | Anton Yelchin | Ben York Jones | Alex Kingston | Jennifer Lawrence | Finola Hughes | Charlie Bewley | Jamie Thomas King

Writers:
Drake Doremus | Ben York Jones

Producers:

Directors:
Drake Doremus

  • Critic rating
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.

Movies.ie Critic Review

Meeting budding furniture designer Jacob (Yelchin) whilst on holiday in Los Angeles, budding English journalist Anna (Jones) decides this is a love worth outstaying your student visa for. Only trouble is, now back in London, Anna is refused permission to travel to the US again, to be with her man, and so the couple split. The constant latenight phonecalls result in a visit to London by Jacob though, and the romance soon blossoms again. Only for the loneliness of a long-distance relationship to strike again, each finding new loves. But Anna and Jacob aren’t entirely convinced that they shouldn’t be together…

THE VERDICT: Taking von Trier’s Breaking The Waves and Alfonso Cuaron’s Y tu mama tambien as templates, director/co-writer Drake Doremus sets out to bring a little realism to cinema’s longstanding love affair with the long-distance relationship. Is it the distance itself that is fueling the romantic ideal? Or do these two lovebirds truly belong together forever and ever? Both Yelchin and Jones deliver believable, touching performances, and it’s a relief to see that their new partners (played by Jennifer Lawrence and Charlie Bewley) are not blatantly second-fiddle players. Perhaps without the unquenchable thirst of that absent, long-distance love, each would have found true happiness with their new partners? In other words, the perfect movie to take someone to if you’re planning on giving them the old heave-ho. RATING: ***

Review by Paul Byrne 

  • Avg User rating
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.

User Reviews

    • Currently 3/5 Stars.

    masonica

    A worthy film and a well told concept but with main characters that you actually don't like or care about. I also couldn't fathom the reason why anyone would be such a D-bag to Jennifer Lawrence's character. Sigh.

    • Currently 4/5 Stars.

    filmbuff2011

    With a lot of attention focused on The Descendants this week, it would be easy to overlook the other quality drama that's out. Like Crazy is a bittersweet story of young love caught amid the complexities of modern immigration law. Students Anna and Jacob fall for each other hard but find themselves separated by continents and time zones when Anna overstays her US visa and has to return home to England. Other romantic interests enter their lives but yet their love for each other just won't go away... The film covers quite a long time period over its slim 90 minutes, but there's a touching honesty and sincerity to it. These two are clearly meant to be together but find it hard to make it work. The ending has some impact and leaves you wondering as the credits roll - is true love worth fighting for? Well-acted by Anton Yelchin and the up-and-coming Felicity Jones, Like Crazy is a fine film which, like Blue Valentine, will no doubt provoke discussion afterwards. Recommended.