Love, it's one of those notions that gives the human race hope. The hope that one day we will find that one half that makes the whole... fill the void in the soul that can't be clogged up with religion or pride or friendship... In life however there are rules and sometimes when you find that person who makes you whole, breaking the rules will tear them from you in a way that leaves you bruised and broken, unable to breathe, to think, to just.... be.
Welcome to Like Crazy, the story of young British student Anna (Felicity Jones) who falls in love so deeply with American student Jacob (Anton Yelchin) that the thought of returning home without him for the summer is too much to bear. Ignoring the warnings of her mother not to overstay her student visa, Anna finds that on her return to the US that she is denied entry and this love, this passion, this feeling that holds her heart in a vice like grip is severed by law.
And she has his heart equally but with so many hurdles to jump... is love really worth the hassle? Is the stress and strain worth it all when rules and regulations are so desperate to pull you apart?
Like Crazy is one of those indie style efforts that starts off unbelievably slowly in order to build this fictional love, this fictional relationship that is the central universe of these two characters. It can be a chore to sit through the opening 20 minutes because director Drake Doremus has chosen to take the candid approach to the blossoming of this new partnership. It's like a family video montage where terrible things in this world can happen on a whim but these two have found something perfect and they're rubbing my bloody nose in it!
Anton Yelchen is as always, adorably innocent in a role that basically asks him to be himself, much like they did in the Fright Night Remake although both ask him to take his persona in two different directions. In Like Crazy Yelchen as Jacob must fall head over heels with this young woman, he must then try to move on from the distance between them and try to live his life with half his heart dragging along the pavement behind him.
Anna, Felicity Jones must also portray the same experiences but with an ocean dividing them and two very different careers and ways of life in different cities. Sometimes it's easier to move on in one place than it is in the other.
Imagine finding that love, knowing they are out there but the only way to communicate is through time zones that also threaten to keep you apart. Although even if you are working and you're hopelessly devoted to the one you love... sleep shouldn't be an issue, you nap when you can and skype to the early hours!
There are a number of things in Like Crazy which are well formed but there are others which really don't make sense, the changes in mood come so quickly that if you blink you'll be wondering how we came to this point which actually works in favour for the characterisation at times but some viewers may find themselves lost in the wistful timelines of Like Crazy.
A nostalgic look at love apart... Like Crazy is a strong film for every performer involved, Yelchen, Jones, Kingston... they all put in a warm and likable performance. I loved Felicity Jones in Chalet Girl and this take on love from her is very much different from the fun loving version portrayed in Chalet Girl.
Give it a go, if you're into love torn asunder dramas, then Like Crazy is worth a go! Oh and The Hunger Games girl is well dirty...!