Tadpole thinks:
I’m writing this review as soon as I can. Because I know what kind of person I am. Just before the movie started, Theodora and I (yes, of course we were watching this together!) had a discussion on giving grades / scores to movies. I told her I tended not to grade movies now because my standards fluctuate, and the impressions the movie has made on me change too… so a movie that gets an A today may not even receive a C tomorrow. This is the reason why I am reviewing Ruby Sparks as soon as I have access to my computer. This review’s gonna be a honest and straight review, written before everything gets washed away from my head, though I may just not be sure what to write yet…
I have a love-hate relationship with Ruby Sparks. I love how the ending, or rather, the whole movie, is up to your interpretation (what’s real, and what’s not?). I love Calvin’s beautiful white spacious home and full bookshelves. I love Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan’s on-screen chemistry. I love the Los Feliz neighbourhood. I love how Calvin has a dog. I love how Calvin’s a writer. I love how this movie is almost like an ode to the literary world. I love how The Catcher in the Rye is featured, though I doubt it’s still considered as one of my favourite books.
But I hate the characters, no one’s too likable I’m afraid. I hate a particular scene which made me feel so embarrassed for Ruby. I hate how quirkiness becomes too weird. I hate how I loved the first half of the movie but hated the rest. I hate how I could see Calvin should be a loner for the rest of his life only during the very first few scenes. I hate how unromantic the love story is. I hate how I felt a little bit bored. I hate how disappointed I was. No, I wasn’t that disappointed… but the disappointment was in the same league as what I got after watching Hugo. Maybe I really was quite disappointed. If I were to compare Ruby Sparks with a film that I’ve seen, what would it be? I can’t possibly name a single movie… so I’ll let Movie Maths do the job. Here we go. ( Sunshine Cleaning * Midnight in Paris ) + To Rome with Love (for the café scene) + 500 Days of Summer (I hate myself for saying this but they have quirky characters?) + Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Dream or reality? Vs. Memory or happening now?).
Wish the audience would laugh with me at the funny parts (not exactly a comedy but I like laughing). Maybe the experience would have been better? To the couple occupying seats C6 and C7 during the 3:45 pm screening on 15 October 2012 at Palace IFC, please, don’t ever kick my chair again. Thank you.
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Fish thinks:
If you talk about the theme, Ruby Sparks was as expected. Instead of being the typical Hollywood love stories with a sparkling ending, the movie delivered a deeper social message about love and relationships: too much control over your lover’s life would only lose yourself and lead to suffocation of the parties in the relationship.
Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan is a
captivating couple. They aren't exactly photogenic in every film frame, but
they are charming in their own unique, preppy style. It is delightful to know
that though Calvin and Ruby separated, they are a couple in real life. I have to say I enjoy watching them when they were madly in love together. It is quite tempting to have another half by your side, isn't it?
However, I must confess the movie
disappointed me in several aspects. I’ll start with the wrong choice of casts.
I think Chris Messina doesn't suit the role “Harry”(Florence disagrees? I remember she said Harry is funny). Not only does his looks display an entire foreign set of genes from Calvin, but his acting seems inadequate
in portraying the playboy-ish but caring elder brother (or he was over the top, and become a bit too annoying for me).
Moreover, I thought the movie would be funnier. I thought there would sweet and cheesy moments or cute dialogues that would make me laugh out loud. Strangely, I remained quite tense throughout the film. I guess it was because I have had a clue about the direction the movie was going to head to and I am NOT happy about it. So, thus. Or it could be me having a weak sense of humor (YES IT IS).
Perhaps it was because I had
expected too much from the movie, and that the ugly reality of how
relationships could evolve into ruined my fantasies Of course, things have a
good side and a bad one too, so credits should be given to the film which
revealed that face and refreshed our minds. But gosh, I do feel poignant
afterwards. The complexity of 2 people intrigues me. I hope I would eventually know more about it, as well as how to cope with it.
