There seems to be a refreshing take on romantic movies of late (CLOSER, P.S., STAGE BEAUTY) where nothing is black and white or even predictable. The story structure isn’t linear; it takes place in the present with flashbacks focusing on the point of view from each of the main characters so the movie comes together like a puzzle. It works well, making you more curious until the climatic revelation and it keeps you on edge until the ending, which you will either love or hate depending if you’re a romantic or cynic.

The love in WICKER PARK doesn’t rank up there with the brutality of CLOSER; it isn’t as selfless as STAGE BEAUTY but it does have that flavour of destiny found in P.S.

Rose Byrne’s performance definitely does stand out; then again she does get the best role in the movie even though her character only pitches up almost half an hour into the movie. There really does seem to be a spate of movies coming out with well-known male leads but it’s the female leads that get the best roles. This isn’t a complaint but a happy observation.

WICKER PARK is for the intelligent film watcher that hates brainless predictable romantic movies without alienating fans of brainless predictable romantic movies. A win-win situation for the film studios and the audience.

CAST: Josh Hartnett, Rose Byrne, Matthew Lillard, and Diane Kruger
DIRECTOR: Paul Mc Guigan
RUNNING TIME: 109 minutes
GENRE: Romantic Drama
AGE RESTRICTION: 13
RELEASE DATE: 19 May 2005
RATING: 8/10

“Love, Obsession, Deception And The People Caught In Its Snare”

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Review by Punjabi_Goth for Africasgateway

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