Welcome to the 21st century, where romcoms are in a little bit of trouble. It’s tough to find a good one these days, and even the attempts at breathing new life into the genre often fall flat. Instead, we often end up with awkward genre mash-ups like Jason Moore’s Shotgun Wedding. But sometimes, we’d gladly take these quirky combos over the strained attempts at humor and romance, like the one in writer-director Rebecca Miller’s She Came to Me. This rom-com tries to be both eccentric and satirical but doesn’t quite nail either. So, get ready to dive into the peculiar world of She Came to Me.
The Cast and Crew: Promise and Puzzlement
Remarkably, writer-director Rebecca Miller (The Ballad of Jack and Rose, Maggie’s Plan) assembled a cast of acclaimed actors, including Peter Dinklage, Anne Hathaway, and the ever-talented Marisa Tomei. However, it leaves us wondering why these talented performers chose these roles. Maybe even acclaimed actors don’t always have their pick of the litter, or perhaps, in the case of this misstep, they were just gung-ho, cockeyed optimists.
Watch Trailer: She Came to Me
The Plot: A Whimsical Mess
The film’s plot revolves around a morose and neurotic opera composer, Steven Lauddem, portrayed by a schlumpy, sad-eyed Peter Dinklage. He’s struggling with writer’s block and a looming commission deadline. He’s married to his ex-shrink, Patricia, played by Anne Hathaway, who is a neat freak with a peculiar newfound interest in church.
Enter Katrina, a hopeless romantic tugboat operator played by Marisa Tomei. Their unexpected encounter in a bar leads to a tryst, igniting Steven’s creative spark, and he reworks his opera to reflect their encounter. The catch? Katrina’s on-stage counterpart is a serial lover murderer, drawing comparisons to Sweeney Todd.
The movie also weaves in a subplot that eventually becomes the main story. It involves a romance between 18-year-old Julian, Patricia’s biracial son, and his schoolmate Tereza, the daughter of Patricia and Steven’s immigrant housekeeper. The story takes a bizarre turn when Tereza’s stepdad becomes a protective bulldog, wanting Julian arrested for their relationship.
Questioning the Storytelling
The plot of She Came to Me may sound confusing because, well, it is. The film feels like a distant, unfunny cousin to a Woody Allen comedy, with strained and intersecting story strands that sometimes rely on blunt coincidences. The quirky, whimsical vibe gets lost when the subplot involving Julian’s potential arrest takes an unexpectedly dark turn. It feels more like a desperate plot device than a natural story development, leaving the audience scratching their heads.
The Great Escape: Romeo and Juliet Redux
As the story unfolds, Julian and Tereza find themselves on the run to avoid Julian’s capture, with the help of Steven, Katrina, and Magdalena. The adventure takes them to one of Trey’s Civil War reenactments, adding yet another layer of eccentricity to the already perplexing tale.
The film offers additional quirky bits, including Patricia’s interactions with a lovelorn therapy patient, and her abrupt departure from her family to follow her newfound calling. These moments, while entertaining in their own right, only serve to congest an already sluggish, choppy, and exasperating film. She Came to Me asks viewers to suspend their disbelief, big time, with little emotional payoff in return. Its handling of mental illness is equally uninspiring.
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The Ups and Downs
Despite the film’s convoluted plot and storytelling, it does have some redeeming qualities. The Brooklyn settings are decently captured, and the actors give their best to breathe life into their surface-level characters. One stroke of good fortune is the inclusion of Bruce Springsteen’s Addicted to Romance, which provides a stirring note to close the film. But perhaps the best approach is to watch the song’s official lyric video online and call it a day.
Conclusion
The movie, She Came to Me arrived early and serves up a plate full of convoluted, far-fetched storytelling. While it boasts a talented cast and moments of whimsical humor, the film struggles to find its footing and maintain a consistent tone. The bizarre plot twists and abrupt shifts in the story may leave viewers perplexed rather than entertained.
If you’re a fan of the cast or enjoy unconventional rom-com, She Came to Me might offer some entertainment value. However, for those seeking a well-crafted, coherent story, it’s best to approach this film with caution.
FAQs
Q. Is She Came to Me a must-see movie?
A. Well, that depends on your taste. If you enjoy quirky, convoluted plots and don’t mind a bit of far-fetched storytelling, it might be worth a watch.
Q. What’s the highlight of the movie?
A. The film’s saving grace is the cast. Peter Dinklage, Anne Hathaway, and Marisa Tomei deliver commendable performances despite the perplexing storyline.
Q. Does She Came to Me have any humor?
A. Yes, there are moments of humor throughout the film, but they often get lost in the tangled web of storytelling. It’s more whimsical than laugh-out-loud funny.
Q. What’s the overall tone of the movie?
A. She Came to Me aims for a whimsical and quirky tone, akin to Woody Allen’s comedies. However, it struggles to maintain a consistent mood throughout the film.
Q. Is the film’s title significant to the story?
A. The film’s title, She Came to Me, alludes to one of the key characters, Katrina, who unexpectedly enters the life of the main character, Steven. It’s a reference to the pivotal moment that jump-starts the plot.
Q. Does She Came to Me address important themes or social issues?
A. The film touches on themes such as romantic relationships, creative inspiration, and mental health, but it doesn’t delve deeply into these topics. The treatment of mental illness is particularly lacking in depth.