Review
Producerstar Sandra Bullock turns out what looks like another box office smash. Typical of most Ȭhickflicks" the trailer tells you just about everything you're going to see. Unexpectedly though the surprises come from behind the scenes. The film looks gorgeous (and not just the two lead actors) the prettiness of the interior sets is matched by the choice of locations. While much of the film is set amidst the beauty of a seaside town in Alaska even New York City is made to look like something out of a story book. It hasn't looked this good since the era of Doris Day. Typical of such a film the costumes even on the extras in the background are so wellcoordinated with the locations that the whole thing feels like a "realist fantasy."
Likewise the plot itself is reminiscent of the romantic comedies of half a century ago complete with their morality albeit updated enough in a postfeminist era for Ryan Reynolds' masculinity to function credibly in "the Doris Day role." This he handles extremely well although Sandra Bullock deserves most of the praise. As a producer she knows her on screen strengths and weaknesses and most importantly she knows her audience and despite the hardnosed icequeen she chooses to play here everyone will continue to love her. Frankly I was surprised to see so many empty seats at the sneakpreview last night in Boston but I hope that doesn't get the filmmakers down. The audience loved this film and it's going to get positive wordofmouth from whoever sees it young or old. It's going to be around for a long time.