Love Happens

It is not often that 'popular romance comedies' have the courage to tackle issues like death and grieving and make the story work, but such is the case with LOVE HAPPENS, a good little film written (with Mike Thompson) and directed by Brandon Camp. And it helps to have a solid cast of popular and well-schooled actors to pull off a subject that might make a few people uneasy.

Dr. Burke (Aaron Eckhart) is a seminar man who runs a business with his colleague Lane (Dan Fogler) based on helping people cope with grief - a group called 'A-Okay'. Burke is a popular guru, more so because of his reason for ministering to grievers: his beloved wife died three years ago in a car accident so Burke can speak about grief from experience. But it seems he is running away from something, too. Most of his followers don't notice, but one man Walter (John Carroll Lynch) is a particularly needy client and seems to pick up on something missing in Burke's seminars. Burke is currently in Seattle (his deceased wife's home) with his manager Lane (who is cooking up all manner of marketing tools and opportunities for the A-Okay team). Burke happens to literally bump into Eloise (Jennifer Aniston) who owns a flower business catering to the hotel in which the seminar is being staged. Eloise seems addicted to losers, and is freshly apart from her latest affair: she is comforted and supported by her sole employee, the somewhat dingy Marty (Judy Greer in a terrific cameo), who encourages Eloise to look for some stability in her next mate.

Burke is attracted to Eloise but is so out of practice in the dating game that he comes across as vulnerable - a trait that makes Eloise wary at first and attracted later. The odd things the two do in the mating dance finally result in the uncovering of the secret problems Burke carries. Refreshingly enough the film does not sell out with a happy-wappy ending, just a few thoughts that are particularly tender.

Eckhart and Aniston are a terrific team on the screen: both are lovable without resorting to being sappy and repetitive. Fogler and Greer are excellent as are such fine actors as Martin Sheen and Frances Conroy in memorable cameos. There is a lot to like in this film that makes it a step above the usual 'chick flicks' that were more popular in theaters. Perhaps audiences, sadly, have difficulty hearing about grieving, but death, as well as Love, happens! Grady Harp, February 10

"Love Happens" is the perfect name for this true turn of heart film.

Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart star as florist (Eloise Chandler) and self help guru (Dr Burke Ryan) as they slowly run through each others' emotional defensive shields. Dr Ryan, is a successful self help speaker who helps people deal with grief and loss, but cannot deal with his own issues. Eloise Chandler is a florist with several 'lost' relationships. Through the film both main characters dodge what is happening, and when they least expect it, love truly happens.

So much for the summary.

Unlike man films with truly predictable outcomes and even dialogue, Love Happens, falls just outside the envelope. It is not predictable, but more believable as far as scripting goes. Not sappy, but sappy enough for the lover of chick flicks, it strikes the right chord.

Both Aniston and Eckhart are believable in their roles. Their onscreen chemistry is remarkable and renders this film one of the best in current memory.

Burke is a motivational speaker who's book about dealing with grief is a best seller. His wife died in a car accident three years ago. He's in Seattle to lead a week-long workshop on healing and to negotiate a major multi-media deal. But something's amiss: he's a closet drinker, he won't ride elevators, his moods swing, he's estranged from his wife's father, and he's very much alone. In a hotel hallway, he bumps into a woman arranging flowers, tries to chat with her, and gets the brush-off. She's Eloise, a local florist who's just broken up with a boyfriend. He's persistent and they eventually go to dinner and it goes badly. There are some smiles during the movie, but it is actually a light drama dealing with bereavement and grief. I thought this movie was ok. I thought Aaron's character was interesting. However, Jennifer was just Jennifer.

Whatever one may think of this movie, it did have some great performances by Jennifer Aniston and Arron E. I, however, liked it and thought it was very refreshing to see a movie that wasn't too sappy or overwrought. If not nothing else, it's a good movie to watch on a rainy afternoon.

LOVE HAPPENS should be titled WHAT HAPPENED?, as in what happened to the careers of Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart and Martin Sheen? For the final scene fag-out where everyone's crying, the actors probably were anticipating the reviews or thinking about the dinner theater work they will be lucky to get after being in this career-killing gay-fest. When Martin Sheen hugs Aaron Eckhart, I think he whispers, "Well, at least I have enough money saved. Don't know what you're gonna do, Aaron."

Love Happens seems like a meditation on grief that crams in a "romance" for no reason whatsoever. The story itself is very formulaic, and concerns a self help author trying to help people work through their grief who is (predictably), in denial about his own. Somehow he meets Jennifer Aniston, a cute florist who dates a cheating heart type of musician who dumps her, leaving them free to begin a highly improbable relationship.
The movie simply doesn't work well. The chemistry between Aniston and Eckhart is negligible, the story is cheesy and contrived, and really, there is nothing sexy, entertaining, or even fun about it. It's like watching a bad TV movie, more or less. Nothing special here, folks. It's too bad b/c both actors, in other films, have been much better and more charming. Aniston in particular seems like she's phoning it in, but Eckhart's character is much better fleshed out than hers - she is a plot function, not a person.
Love Happens, but not here!

It's a shame for Jennifer Aniston to be in this movie. It's very depressing, it should be called Death Happens. It was more about death and how he was teaching people to deal with losing a loved one when he hadn't dealt with his own wifes death at all. So what he was doing was covering up his own pain by starting up this workshop/book so that he could help someone else and by doing that he was blocking out his own misery and pain. It didn't rock my boat

A man, who helps people cope with their losses, must face his personal denial of pain. It is a touchingly sweet movie but the idea of making it a romantic comedy was decision made by a vacant mind. The jokes are not funny and Aaron Eckhart is awkward whilst when trying to be funny. The mistakes can be overlooked, and the movie can be worth watching, considering the excellent topic and Jennifer Aniston's performance.

This film worked as a study in grief. The characters were sensitive, tried real hard, and worked through some heavy stuff. The idea of a bestselling author/speaker running seminars on grief when he had a few not-so-hidden bones rattling around in his closet was very intriguing. And I really liked the way it all played out.

What didn't work for me was the Eloise (Aniston)/Burke (Eckhart) romance aspect. I didn't understand why, in the midst of his struggle/depression, he became so passionately fascinated with her. I also didn't understand much of their relationship overall and why there was such interest on both sides. Many of their moments together just felt painful.

There was no sex but there were a few token comments. Overall pretty clean with some moderate language. If you like introspective relationships or exploring the fascinating world of mourning, or Eckhart or Aniston you might like it. I'd suggest a rental first if you are unsure.

Love Happens.....We have seen this concept over and over in films (chick flicks mainly). I do indulge in the occasional chick flick but this one was just plain awful. Does Jennifer Aniston ever play a different character? The chemistry between her and Aaron Eckhart is painful to watch. The two do not connect at all and is dreadful and dull to watch. The parrot in this film is more entertaining to watch. It's just awful and don't waste your time.