In my humble opinion the trailer for The Lake House is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. The overview of the film combined with the song “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane has had me waiting with both dread and anticipation for this film. I really like Keanu Reeves and I have been enamored of Sandra Bullock since their first screen coupling in Speed. Because of that and the fact that I am a hopeless romantic I was very worried that this film would disappoint me. I am happy to say that it did not. And while it was not exactly the film I expected from the trailer I enjoyed it very much.
The film opens with Dr. Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) moving out of her small but unique glass house by the lake. She leaves a brief note for the new tenant offering them good wishes and asking for her mail to be forwarded. The next tenant happens to be Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves). The letter contradicts some of the things Alex knows about the house and so he writes back to her to clarify. Her response begins a chain of events in which the two eventually determine that, as impossible as it sounds, Alex Wyler is living in the year 2004 while Kate Forster is living in 2006. Thus begins a series of conversations and a budding romance the old-fashioned way, through the mail.
I liked what Roger Ebert had to say in his review and it sums up my thoughts on the nature of The Lake House exactly: “[the film] tells the story of a romance that spans years but involves only a few kisses. It succeeds despite being based on two paradoxes: time travel, and the ability of two people to have conversations that are, under the terms established by the film, impossible. Neither one of these problems bothered me in the slightest. Take time travel: I used to get distracted by its logical flaws and contradictory time lines. Now in my wisdom I have decided to simply accept it as a premise, no questions asked. A time travel story works on emotional, not temporal, logic.”
If you can take Roger’s advice this is a very enjoyable film. The time difference between the two protagonists is simply there as a framework for the story. Trying to work out the logic of the time issues in the film could be very headache inducing and there are more than a few flaws with that logic, as frankly there are in almost all stories involving time differences. In The Lake House it is the mail, and not the people themselves, that does that time traveling which sets up the narrative voice of the film. And despite my initial impressions this is not a romantic comedy, it is actually a predominately melancholy film. Both Reeves and Bullock’s characters are reasonable successful in their careers. Kate Forster is a doctor at a large Chicago hospital (necessitating her move from the lake house) and Alex Wyler is an architect working at a successful but unfulfilling suburban job. Neither are particularly happy and both have reasons why. Kate has had a life filled with work and an off again-on again relationship with a good but not great guy since her residency. Alex is living in the shadow of his famous but flawed architect father (excellently portrayed by Christopher Plummer). Both characters portray a very realistic sadness that pervades the film and is only broken by their implausible time-challenged correspondence.
Since this film is not a formulaic romantic comedy it does not have the same beat or flow that one initially suspects. This is a slow film. It is a melancholy film. That is really what makes The Lake House work for me. The house is seen mostly during a cold spring, a season that I particularly enjoy and one that sets the appropriate emotional backdrop for the film. I really enjoyed all the performances in the film, even that of the dog that both characters share (played to scruffy perfection by the dog from Because of Winn-Dixie). Bullock and Reeves have a nice screen chemisty, especially for a couple who are not really on screen together all that much. Part of the joy of the film are the moments when their lives actually intersect either as a direct result of Reeves knowledge of the future through Bullocks’ letters or the coincidental ways in which people in their lives come into contact with one another. I also enjoyed references to Jane Austen’s Persuasion and the film Notorious that depth and texture to the story.
The Lake House is subtle and is ultimately quite satisfying. It is romance that hearkens back to the classics in film. Don’t go in expecting the laughs of traditional romantic comedy. Do go in expecting to be drawn into the lives of these characters, experiencing the pain of a relationship that cannot possibly work. I was not blown away by The Lake House but I knew I wouldn’t be. My expectations were far too high. I did come away however very pleased with the film, wanting to see it again, and aspects of the film have stayed with me for the last few days. The Lake House has its own quiet charm and beauty and I hope that more film makers have the courage to bring non-conventional romance to the screen. The Lake House is good for the incurable romantic within.
I am afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay awake. Sounds like I might enjoy it if I could stay
conscious. I really enjoy both of these actors.
Oh pooh. I so wanted to resist seeing this, and now, I just can’t, can I…
Well, you could try Anne!
I honestly don’t see this movie doing well nor do I believe everyone will like it but it was my kind of film and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.
I’m looking forward to this movie; I really like Ebert’s reviews, btw. He’s an interesting character.
Ebert has softened alot over the years and I really agreed with his review on this one.
It looked so cheesy to me from the trailers, but I was surprised by Ebert’s thumb up.
Glad it was good. I saw Prairie Home Companion last night with Sar. It was charming, but probably more for the fans of the radio show.
I went to see Nacho Libre 🙂
yea.. am looking forward to seeing this
I like the radio show and am interested in seeing the movie but probably won’t catch it until it comes out on DVD.
Romantic comedies…or dramas in this case…are often a “cheesy is in the eye of the beholder” type of thing. I personally am an unabashed lover of most chick flicks and always have been. Doesn’t matter if they are formulaic or cliched as long as they are fun. Despite some evidence to the contrary I believe in true love, chivalry, old fashioned fairy tale romance etc. so I generally really enjoy these films. I think what is cool about Ebert’s review is that he points out that these characters aren’t the unbearably optimistic characters that inhabit some movies. The exhibit a real loneliness that comes from a life without relationship fulfillment.
Like I intimated, this isn’t the best romantic movie I’ve ever seen but it had enough very interesting moments and I enjoyed the leisurely pace of it enough that its one I’ll watch again.
And eventhough I didn’t mention it Sandra Bullock looks fantastic in this. Good hairstyle, cool outfits, very cute.
Did you just say ” good hairstyle “? We’re just going to have to let that one pass here at the man law table 🙂
Glad Mary and you enjoyed this one. Once I heard about it I was hopeful it would be a good one. Not sure if Keri and I will make it to see it on the big screen but we will defiently rent it when it comes out.
Hey, she looks really cute with shorter hair, what can I say?
I was torn on seeing this movie. It seemed a bit of “Time Traveler’s Wife”-ish and I’m not a huge KR fan, although I do love SB. This might be one we catch over our vacation…
BTW, I picked up 2 Neil Gaiman books, despite my vow to not buy any new books until I finished reading the stack(s) piled up in the bedroom. They are going on vacation with me so I’ll let you know how I liked them…
Okay, you can’t leave me in suspense like that. Which two did you pick up? Depending on your reading likes and which books you picked this could make a HUGE difference on if you like Gaiman or not.
I thought it might be like TTW but it turns out not to be at all. Although I loved TTW so it would’ve been cool with me if it had been.
American Gods and Neverwhere – those were the only two titles the B&N I went to had in stock…
I would suggest reading Neverwhere first, depending on your reading likes. Neverwhere is slightly more fantasy oriented but is a good example of Gaiman’s work that is….less adult is the only way I know how to say it. American Gods is fantastic as well but is peppered with much more adult language and situations that would really turn some people off. I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on both! Neverwhere is my favorite though alot of that has to do with it being the first Gaiman novel that I read.
Thanks for the recommendation – I’m excited to dig in…
Looks cheesey. Not very good reviews. I know it’s a war starter, but I am not a fan of K.R. and S.B. when it comes to romantic comedies/drama. I would rather see Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock. Or Ben Affleck and anyone.
As far as the reviews go I don’t really give them any credence…unless I agree with them of course! HA! I think Ebert gave it a real fair assessment.
I’m not sure you’re starting a war although I’m don’t know how any red-blooded male can not like Sandra Bullock. 😉 Keanu is very much a you like him or you don’t kind of guy. So is Affleck. I can’t really stand Affleck but like Reeves but I would never argue that either is a great actor. They are both essentially personalities with minimal acting skills who people either are okay with or aren’t. I think Cruise and Pitt (who have slightly better acting skills) are the same way. They are all personalities. There are some actors/actresses that only a fool would say aren’t talented…Reeves and Affleck are not in that category at all.
I’m with Jeff as regards the hair. It looks terrible.
As for the trailer, well, the first one I saw made me wonder what on earth the film was actually about. Looked like a love story, but we were speculating that maybe one of them was either a murderer/psycho or that one of the couple was dying.
Then caught a slightly longer trailer and saw that it was a love story. Don’t know if I’ll go, but I can’t say that I won’t. 🙂
You guys…and girls…are nuts, that’s all I can say.
Going to movies free makes it a little easier to take a risk on a movie Fence! 😉 Speaking of movies, I was excited to see that Night Watch was released over here on DVD yesterday. Will be picking that one up.
I agree with you completely… I loved the movie and I walked out of the theatre wanting to see it again very soon. It’s sad, but you sort of envy the depth of relationship between the characters. Great show, smart and lovely.
omg best movie ever
it is so beautiful… the story made me realize that if you love someone, you will wait for him or her whatever the consequeces will be… I want to buy the book that Kate left at the train station… Persuasion to be specific..
Persuasion is one of the Jane Austen books I haven’t read, and I too should put that on my reading list. It is a wonderful movie. Just watched it again the other day!
I love Keanu! :-* And Sandra Bullock 😉 is a gorgeous actresses 🙂
well i have fallen in love with this amazing movie i do injoy watching it over and over i would have to say it is one of my favroite movies of all time but i do have one quetion dose anyone kow if this was also a book?
i know it has been three years scence anyone has written anything on here but please if you do see this comment please tell me that is if you know!
It is actually a remake of a Korean film called Il Mare.