Monday, June 03, 2013
Michael Allen
*full disclosure: a DVD screener of this film was provided by Monarch Home Entertainment.
Director: Christian Charles.
Writer: Ryan Oxford.
Cast: Charlotte Rae, Matthew Settle, M. Emmet Walsh and Katia Winter.
Love Sick Love received a theatrical release in several major markets in April, 2013, before moving to home entertainment formats in May. This title was marketed as a thriller, but there are more romantic-comedy tones here, compared to anything else. Much of the excitement from the trailer is missing in this fairly short film endeavour. The comedy improves through the film's second half; yet, Love Sick Love seems like a cautious outing, with few surprises.
The film can best be described as Misery (1990) meets Fatal Attraction (1987), in story. But, the tension, mystery and unpredictability from these two films is missing here. Instead, central character Norman (Matthew Settle) simply goes along with his psycho girlfriend's plans to visit an isolated home. Dori (Katia Winter) brings along her annoying kids and troublesome parents. This is not a romantic getaway. Norman is confined and then stalked by Dori through much of the film's second half. Like the other two films, there are no happy endings here.
Dori has inherited her instability from her parents.
The film attempts to blend comedy with thrills, but this pairing is unsuccessful here. The comedy is mostly flat, especially through the introduction. Through these early scenes there is a great deal of pillow talk and rolling around in bed. But, these scenes lack the necessary comedic flair, which finally emerges late in the picture. Much of the later laughs are delivered by the minor characters. The interactions between Dori and Norman are too serious in tone and this contrasts poorly with some of the other lighter moments. The comedy in Love Sick Love is very hit and miss.
So, what of the thriller elements? The excitement brews early through the character Dori. But, this characterization is rarely menacing enough. She seems only slightly off her rocker, until late in the picture. Only the climax offers any surprises, with Norman's life in peril. But, this climax ends much as one might expect. After all, previous escapes by Norman have ended poorly for him. A few axe swings here and a misdirection there, then the film is already over. Sadly, there are not enough exciting scenes in this film.
Love Sick Love attempts to blend two very different genres together and the result is lackluster. This reviewer only laughed a couple times, while watching this film. And, there really is no tension, nor mystery in this film. Instead, there are repetitive scenes, with Love Sick Love borrowing its story from a couple of early films. The final result is not recommendable, despite a few well delivered lines.
Overall: 6 out of 10 (repetitive, not enough menace, dialogue is good at points).
A trailer for the film has previously been posted on 28DLA.com, here:
Love Sick Love Trailer on 28DLA
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Posted in: 2013,action,action thriller movie preview,cast,comedic,comedy,crew,movie review,plot,plot summary,preview,story,thriller
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