The Lake House Review

 

  “Speed-ing to nothing special”

The grand reunion of Speed co-stars Reeves and Bullock looked sweeping and romantic in the trailer (I think having one of my favorite songs “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane helped it). But alas, the trailer served it’s purpose in duping me into seeing this movie expecting to be roped in. Needless to say, the movie entertained me and hit a few romantic spots in my spine, but not in the way I originally pictured.

That is part of my problem: I go into movies with expectations. Regardless of what anyone says, expectations are a requisite in movies, music, books etc. If anyone can make a case to say they watch something without any expectations ever, I’m open to hear. I was excited to see the chemistry between Bullock and Reeves reignite after a few years, being that Speed is a movie near and dear to my heart. But the energy from that film was as much given to them as they gave back. The Lake House required them to bring it without the help of a bus and Dennis Hopper.

Alex(Reeves) is a man in 2004 that rents out a lake house that is all windows that his father made for his mother. Reeves father, Simon, is played by Christopher Plummer, a world reknowned architect who is famous but empty at his core, something Alex strives never to become. Kate(Bullock) is a doctor in 2006 who has rented the lake house after Alex. The two cross paths a few times and a few cool little twist and turns later and we’re in the “mailbox tag” romance that the two share throughout the film.

The story is a romantic one, let me say that to begin. It works itself out nicely and definetely strings the audience with it. This may be one of the only recent times I’ve seen a story surpass the preformances and hype. I usually defend Reeves, but he was totally wooden in this one with flashes of sincerity and emotion. Bullock actually hit her role for the most part but was a bit mundane and dull for quite a bit. Maybe that was her sadness. There was a decent soundtrack and the filming was actually pretty beautiful. Some shots reminded me of the best parts of Wicker Park and other drama-romances of the past ten years.

Ok so the whole “father-son” thing between Reeves and Plummer just didnt work and shouldn’t have been as prevalent in the movie. Plummer was way over the top and the whole situation didn’t really relate to the story. I didn’t see the point of it as it served as no real subtext for involving the character. That being said, the movie could have used some supporting members to give a few laughs maybe or even touch another type of nerve.

All in all, this one missed a bit with me. I would call it a cute romance for an adult date movie crowd. I would maybe even suggest teenagers checking this out if they’re into heavier themed romances. Looked good, sounded good but didn’t feel all that great. This guys getting a 5 out of 10 Bones for not totally reaching me the way I wanted and needed and serving as lighter romance.

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