Movie Review: Wicker Park

[Icy]

U.S. Release Date: 9/3/04 (wide)
Running Length: 1:55
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (sexuality, profanity)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Rose Byrne, Matthew Lillard, Diane Kruger, Christopher Cousins, Jessica Paré
Director: Paul McGuigan
Producers: Andre Lamal, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg
Screenplay: Brandon Boyce, inspired by L'Appartement by Gilles Mimouni
Cinematography: Peter Sova
Music: Cliff Martinez
U.S. Distributor: MGM

Wicker Park's narrative is constructed as a puzzle, with each scene revealing more details about the characters and the unexpected ways in which their paths have crossed. The film works best if you go into it with no preconceived notions about what's going to happen. (Unfortunately, I am told, trailers give away one of the surprises.) The film opens in the middle of the story. As things move forward, the past is unveiled by means of a series of flashbacks. Eventually, we are presented with the opportunity to see various situations from different points-of-view. By the end of the film, we have a complete picture of nearly all of the events, and get to see that some of the "guilty" parties are not as culpable as they first appear to be.

A movie like this requires a fair amount of suspension of disbelief from its audience. Coincidence plays a big part in some of what happens, so buying into the premise is important. Director McGuigan does a good job of fleshing out the characters and developing the situations in a way that makes these coincidences seem more like the hand of fate and less like the contrivances of an over-clever screenwriter. Plus, as the entire picture comes into focus, it becomes clear that some of what we first believe to be coincidences are anything but that.

Wicker Park re-unites two of the female leads from Troy. Diane Kruger, who was rather stiff as the face that launched a thousand ships, appears much more relaxed and "in her element" as Lisa, the "one who got away" from male lead Matthew (Josh Hartnett). Rose Byrne, whose Briseis was one of the more sympathetic women in Troy, shows great emotional depth as Alex, who ends up romantically linked with both Matthew and his best friend, Luke (Matthew Lillard). Hartnett approaches Matthew in his usual low-key manner, avoiding the kind of melodramatic performance that could have sunk this movie. His "everyman" method, while not always effective, works in this case.

One of the reasons Wicker Park works is because it tells a story that could be presented as a thriller in a straightforward, dramatic fashion. Instead of scares and moments of high tension, the film focuses on the characters and the motives that drive them. This film is genuinely interested in getting us inside the heads of its three leads (Matthew, Alex, and Lisa). It wants people to understand, although not necessarily sympathize with, all three of them. That's the bait that hooked everyone and held attention.

Collected

[Icy]

[depression_within]

ami dekhte chai movie ta...meyeta soyi soyi meye dutai onek thundol...ora ki twin thake ekhane?...ami dette chai dette chai dette chai...andolooooon

[habijabi]

ato bossic movie khub kom dekhsi! . beshi joss ! .

[Nneel]

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[DyingSoul]

eta onek purana 1ta movie na..?

[Icy]

Originally Posted by DyingSoul

eta onek purana 1ta movie na..?

Not that old .. It was released in 2004.. Actually this movie is the remake of the L'Appartement, which was released in 1996..

[abhie]

I Loived the Movie.... though matahe dhukete ektu time lagse prothom prothom... ..wonderin.. whts goin on..

Then.. aste aste.. shob clear hoye ashe....... Onekta Gyneth Paltrow Slidin Doors dekhe je rokom lagsilo....


Last e.... Coldplay er amar khub favourite track diye.... ending tar karone Movie ta ro chuye gese....... Diane Kruger!! Ufff!!!!

[Chocolate]

yaay...I loobh josh hartnett...and it was a wonderful movie..undoubtedly.. abaro dekhte ichcha korche

[abinosshor]

Well i thought it is a pure romantic movie, rather it is a Romantic thriller(this is first in this category so far i have seen).Darun twist ase ar kahini last a ato chomotkar kore milaise je ami mudgho,