Elizabethtown

Being such a huge fan of Cameron Crowe films, I naturally had enormous expectations for his latest opus, Elizabethtown. After seeing the film, I felt it certainly wasn't as good as any other film in his catalog ? or is it? I can't get the story of a young shoe designer convinced he must end his life in the face of a fiasco, but is given another chance at life in the wake of his father's death out of my head. This film is deceptively more Crowe than any initial viewing lets on.

Orlando Bloom, whom I've had serious reservations about since seeing him in Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, has won me over. While watching the film I discovered an important aspect of Orlando; I like him much better as an American. He carries with him a weight, a sense of loneliness and disconnect so subtle, he contributes one of the truly nuanced performances of the year and certainly Bloom's young career.

Crowe here delivers a classic soundtrack that has become a staple of his films. This time however, he not only showcases his love of music, but he has bands get in on the act as well. Here the incredibly talented My Morning Jacket appears as a reunited jam band; bringing to the film an enjoyable rendition of Lynard Skynard's "Freebird," during a scene that would otherwise be heavy handed and unbearable. The genius of Crowe lies in his ability to not oversell himself or his material. He reigns himself in, just when you think he's going to get lost in his own story. Thankfully, Crowe's magic is still in tact.