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A Lot Like Love

A Lot Like Love, starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet, follows two people as they struggle between building a relationship and following their life plans. Peet plays Emily Friehl, a young free-spirit more prone to “going with the flow.” Kutcher plays Oliver Martin, a recent college grad with a ten-year plan for his life. Serendipity brings the two together, sparks fly, but life pulls them apart. Years later they meet again, both single, but once again headed in different directions. Along the lines of When Harry Met Sally, the couple continues to meet until they finally realize love, not arbitrary plans, is worth holding on to.

I found this to be a charming update of the When Harry Met Sally story. These two realize their attraction from the beginning (unlike the film starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan), but struggle with accepting those feelings, which will always be a timeless tale.

Kutcher, best known as Kelso in That 70s Show, shows his versatility in this role. Amidst some genuinely comedic moments, we see Kutcher as vulnerable, romantic, and convincing as a young, career-driven man, in danger of letting life pass him by.

Peet, usually over-idealized for her beauty in her movies, comes off as normal in this role—spunky, clumsy, a bit flighty, and struggling in her relationships. Also, her usual over-the-top wackiness is toned down to make her seem less like a caricature and more likeable on screen.

Peet and Kutcher’s romance is believable and their collaboration turns a possibly formulaic movie into a charismatic film that stands out in the romantic-comedy genre. Girls will swoon in Kutcher’s serenade scene, wishing real-life men were that romantic, and guys will love Peet as a down-to-earth, sexually-uninhibited (yes, there’s brief nudity), funny woman.

Written by: Katherine E. Webb

Reviewers Rating: 8.5
Reader's Rating: 5.00
Reader's Votes: 1

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