If you're in the mood for a little light, romantic-comedy, date -type entertainment you might want to check out "A Lot Like Love." Directed by Nigel Cole, who previously steered the ingratiating British comedies "Calendar Girls" and "Saving Grace," and written by the actor Colin Patrick Lynch, "A Lot Like Love" tells the story of a would-be couple who fail to get it - and themselves - together time and again. Given that one half of this pairing is none other than Ashton "Dude, Where's My Car" Kutcher, best known for his off screen affair as boy-toy to The Demi Moore-bot, I was sensibly going to give this film a pass. However, having read a review in the New York Times over the weekend, written by Manohla Dargis, that was largely flattering, I decided to take Meg and check it out. Having seen the film, I agree with the lines that convinced me it was worth a try:
One of the best things about "A Lot Like Love" is that this is one of the few mainstream romantic comedies in memory in which innocence isn't a sucker's game. Part of what keeps Oliver and Emily in each other's orbit, despite the myriad complications, is that they never become captive to cynicism or morph into alien beings in some urban "lifestyle" fantasy. Seven years into this romance, Emily was still driving a wreck, Oliver was still struggling and, against all expectation, I was still happy to be along for the ride.
Kutcher is watchable in that quintessential "watch how the American hayseed matures" kind of way, and Amanda Peet is more than watchable and occasionally riveting in a performance that feels "just right." Not forced and mannered like a Jennifer Lopez is so often is in this kind of role. The film is also technically accomplished for this kind of 'straight' film, and there are very well shot scenes. Of particular note, established second unit stuff that is very stylish, without bowling you over.
Switching gears now. If you are looking for a little "vino tinto" for that "despues el cine" experience you have in mind and don't want to bust the budget in the wine department, give this one a go: Domaine Grand Veneur, "Les Champauvins," 2003, Cote Du Rhone Villages. This is a $12 US wine that aspires to a lot more - in fact, only a couple of kilometres separate this wine's origins from those of its posher northern neighbours. It is a GSM (grenache, syrah, mouvedre blend) from the south of France near Orange, and Chateau Neuf Du Pape, and definitely tastes like a lot higher than its price point. I had it with a beautiful "favada" Megcita and I prepared on the weekend (a kind of Castillian stew that features chorizo sausage, large white broad beans and a rich broth) and it fit perfectly. Not so rich and fruitful as it is dry and balanced, it is great sunday lunch wine, but also goes well with that "cheap date pizza!"
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