Tyler (Pattinson) is a fairly typical, comes-from-money rebellious youth plagued with daddy issues and a dead brother. Ally (de Ravin) is a smart, sassy girl from Queens with some daddy issues of her own and a weird dessert-before-dinner habit that I kinda love. They meet under less-than-perfect circumstances and fall in love in about 20 minutes. Then at some point they hate each other, but it's OK because they fall back in love again. Drama, family problems and a plot twist ensue, leaving me a little bit teary-eyed by the time the credits rolled.
Most of the "dramatic scenes" in Remember Me are overacted to the level of a bad film-school project, and the caricatures painted for us aren't always a whole lot better. For instance, Pierce Brosnan as Tyler's father is the picture of a New York businessman: pinstripe suits, cliche office decor, you name it — to a point that is almost unbelievable. Despite my issues with the overacting and too-obvious costuming, the first 90 percent of Remember Me is actually very enjoyable if you aren't thinking too much. Emilie de Ravin does a great job portraying a 21-year old girl trying to break out from her father's overbearing rules, while Robert Pattinson basically offers another brooding version of Edward, minus the fangs and bloodsucking habits. I guess the filmmakers were playing by the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule, and truth be told, he's a damn good brooder.
[image-1]Though both actors are playing to their strengths and succeeding most of the time, neither stands a chance when they are in a scene with Tate Ellington. Tate portrays the funny, "normal dude" roommate Aidan exactly the way I wanted him to, without it feeling forced or cliched. I'm not sure how he pulled it off, but this unknown actor's adorable quirks, out of nowhere remarks and sarcastic humor literally made the entire movie for me. I think I liked him more than Tyler (which was probably not the director's goal), and I have the feeling I won't be alone in this. The other surprise of the film is little Ruby Jerins, who plays Caroline, Tyler's younger sister. She's smart, artsy, honest and vulnerable, and Jerins plays the role of misunderstood middle-schooler better than I did when I was actually a misunderstood middle-schooler.
I'm getting too wrapped up in the acting, but like I said, the first 90 percent of the movie was actually quite enjoyable; so much so, that I forgot what I knew had to be coming at the end. I got all wrapped up in the love between Ally and Tyler, the deep sadness that brings them both closer, Caroline's childish but relatable tears, Aidan's neurotic humor and the steamy sex scenes. (Yes, I just use to word steamy.) Then reality crept back in, and it occurred to me that this movie is called Remember Me. The plot then twisted*, and I sat in the theater wondering if I was the only one who felt like the last portion of the film was thrown in during the 13th hour because the director didn't think the movie was dramatic enough.
I wouldn't go rushing out to see Remember Me, but it wasn't horrible either. RPatz fans should get on it, because you'll be swooning your little hearts out. And even if you aren't on Team Edward, the movie is still worth a viewing just to check out Ruby Jerins and Tate Ellington's performances. But take my advice: If you do go, leave before the end. You'll have a much more enjoyable movie-going experience.
Follow me on Twitter, @MandaAnn and keep up with all your pop-culturely needs at @AltDotPop.
[Editor's Note:Remember Me opens Fri., March 12 at area theaters. (You can check showtimes here.) For more reviews of the biggest new releases, check out the Daily Loaf Movie Review Index.]
I have been pretty stoked about Remember Me since I saw the trailer months ago, giving it my "two thumbs up based upon preview alone" review, which basically means it's a must see. Don't judge me for my prematurity — the movie stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight) and Emilie de Ravin (Lost), with makes it a mashing of two of my true loves into one glorious package of on-screen entertainment. In that sense, there was no going wrong.
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