Watched Wicker Park again after six years. A Facebook friend listed it as one of the 15 most unforgettable movies she’s watched. It wouldn’t be on my list of 15 but the movie did elicit a reaction from me the first time I watched it. Problem was, I couldn’t remember the exact plot (which, by definition, makes it forgettable) so I decided to watch it again. Two things. While I did have in mind the general story of the movie, it felt like seeing it again for the first time. I thought it was interesting how certain scenes recurred among the characters (e.g., breaking in to someone else’s house WITH A KEY, trying on shoes for size [what is this, Cinderella?], stalking people, leaving notes and messages, borrowing cars, abruptly/rudely ending relationships, inter alia). These repeating motifs kept the story together, while offering a callback to previous scenes. After the movie, though, you begin to realize how some aspects were unrealistic. Oh what the hell, the general plot was unrealistic. This was set in 2004 (or at least in the same era, judging by the Nokia phone model in the movie) so it would have been implausible for the two main characters to not contact each other when they were separated. Sure, Lisa wanted to write Matthew a letter because it was more romantic but she did wind up leaving him nine messages on his answering machine (which is pretty convenient for the plot given that she could have left them on his voicemail). Anyway, it seems useless analyzing a movie that is clearly meant to tug more on the emotions than the smarts of the viewer. Setting aside the far-fetched aspects, the movie did have direction, as in movement — you wanted to know what would happen next. Plus, the music was superb. If there was one thing unforgettable about the movie, it was the soundtrack. I never did forget the last scene where Coldplay’s The Scientist played. I thought it was the perfect song. (Though, seriously, did Mazzy Star’s Flowers in December have to play in the scene where Lisa and Alex were tending to their flowers?) That was a long bullet. My second realization was: Rose Byrne. It didn’t occur to me when I was watching Damages that the role of Ellen Parsons was played by this actress! (Another point for the forgettable-ness of the movie!) I thought she was perfect for the role of the psycho, selfish best friend. But I like her better as a cut-throat attorney.

Watched Wicker Park again after six years.

A Facebook friend listed it as one of the 15 most unforgettable movies she’s watched. It wouldn’t be on my list of 15 but the movie did elicit a reaction from me the first time I watched it. Problem was, I couldn’t remember the exact plot (which, by definition, makes it forgettable) so I decided to watch it again.

Two things.

  • While I did have in mind the general story of the movie, it felt like seeing it again for the first time. I thought it was interesting how certain scenes recurred among the characters (e.g., breaking in to someone else’s house WITH A KEY, trying on shoes for size [what is this, Cinderella?], stalking people, leaving notes and messages, borrowing cars, abruptly/rudely ending relationships, inter alia). These repeating motifs kept the story together, while offering a callback to previous scenes. After the movie, though, you begin to realize how some aspects were unrealistic. Oh what the hell, the general plot was unrealistic. This was set in 2004 (or at least in the same era, judging by the Nokia phone model in the movie) so it would have been implausible for the two main characters to not contact each other when they were separated. Sure, Lisa wanted to write Matthew a letter because it was more romantic but she did wind up leaving him nine messages on his answering machine (which is pretty convenient for the plot given that she could have left them on his voicemail). Anyway, it seems useless analyzing a movie that is clearly meant to tug more on the emotions than the smarts of the viewer. Setting aside the far-fetched aspects, the movie did have direction, as in movement — you wanted to know what would happen next. Plus, the music was superb. If there was one thing unforgettable about the movie, it was the soundtrack. I never did forget the last scene where Coldplay’s The Scientist played. I thought it was the perfect song. (Though, seriously, did Mazzy Star’s Flowers in December have to play in the scene where Lisa and Alex were tending to their flowers?)
  • That was a long bullet. My second realization was: Rose Byrne. It didn’t occur to me when I was watching Damages that the role of Ellen Parsons was played by this actress! (Another point for the forgettable-ness of the movie!) I thought she was perfect for the role of the psycho, selfish best friend. But I like her better as a cut-throat attorney.