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Catch and Release

I recently watched Catch & Release, starring Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Smith, and Juliette Lewis. I only rented this movie, due to some well-justified hesitancy.

First off, I don’t know what’s going on with trailers lately, but they’re revealing everything. Coming in, I already knew Garner and Olyphant would start a romance, and that Garner’s deceased fiancé had a secret child. Not surprisingly, knowing the film’s big “shockers” took a lot of wind out of the movie’s sails.

Also, the trailer gave away some of the film’s biggest laughs. Kevin Smith is the film’s comic relief, and while Smith is hilarious without words as “Silent Bob,” in this confused romantic-comedy, most of his jokes fall flat. I chuckled a few times and laughed out loud even less.

“Romantic-comedy” isn’t the appropriate genre for this film anyway. It’s about a widow (played by Garner) who discovers secrets about her recently-deceased fiancé with the help of his best friend (whom she never liked, played by Olyphant) and her close friends. Although levity often aids in times of sorrow, Catch & Release doesn’t know whether it’s a comedy or drama and, therefore, neither did I.

Lastly, Catch & Release felt like a marathon at 124 minutes. Several of the side plots could’ve been tightened or eliminated, especially the one including relative unknown, Sam Jaeger. I won’t give it away, but I will say I saw it coming, and it added almost nothing to the film.

Basically, I think some wanted this film to be a comedy, while others voted for a drama, and the two ideas were never completely reconciled. Rent this movie—it’s perfect for a date during which, once you get the gist, you can give attention to “other matters”—but pass on owning it.

Written by: Katherine E. Webb

Reviewers Rating: 6
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 1

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