Visitors Review

definitelynotintheirteam (2012-05-26 06:45)

Wasting my money and time

I saw this movie yesterday only b/c Gael Garcia Bernal in it. But afterwatching it, I regretted my decision. I shouldn't seen this movie.First, why Sophie dating Victor at the first place? She said she lovedhim with everything he is--so, she ALREADY knew Victor personality andwhat he's come up with from the moment she started makingcommitment--but why she began questioning their relationship in theend? Second, I think the filmmaker trying so hard to make this rom-comto be sweet and end up with the simple--and predictable/cliché--storywith the undoubtedly beautiful scenery of Italy and Shakespeare's Romeoand Juliet (who doesn't love this??) as background and... maybe sellingpoint. Third, the characters is totally miserable. In my mind, Sophiesupposed to be character with dreams (being a writer) and shedesperately want to show it. But, her real work is facts reader andshe's good at it. I mean, she's got a character. Girl with dream,hard-working, kind-hearted bla bla bla. But she fall for Charlie, whichis a real clown, which I really don't get it. Seriously, he's workingas a legal aid--but seems like they always making fun of English guy inthe movie (with all the accent or the awkwardness)--but the way hebehave or talk, isn't believable. I just don't see his charming. He'sjust not the kind Sophie character would fall to. And Victor (or is itGael?), he's got a character (as ambitious person) but I think he's tooexaggerating. Oh, Charlie's gran is an exception... I like her. She'san adorable gran. Last, b/c its so predictable right from the starts, Ijust want my money back!

(2012-05-25 22:20)

Lots of lovely scenery . . . and not much else.

This is one of those films where if you've seen the trailer, you've seen the movie. No suprises, no twists. Here's the rundown: Girl [Sophie] travels to Italy with her fiancee (who looks eerily like Balki Bartagamousse from the '80's sitcom Perfect Strangers)completely ignores her beause he is obsessed with finding the best wine/cheese/truffles for use in his soon-to-be-opened NYC restaurant. Girl finds a letter to Juliet written 50 years ago, and commits to helping it's author [Claire, played by Vanessa Redgrave] find her long-lost love (which she does). Girl fights with Claire's J. Crew modelesque grandson/chaueffer, which means (of course) that the two will fall in love by the film's end (which they do). There - I just saved you ten bucks.For a "romantic comedy", it sure was lacking both "comedy" and "romance". Oddly enough, the older couple [Claire and her reunited love, Lorenzo] had more sizzle than the younger people in the film, who had so little chemistry that you can't even tell that they're falling "in love" (aside from a random kiss in the middle of the flick) until they verbally declare it out of nowhere in the last 10 minutes of the movie. It's all very predictable and harmless, and I've seen worse films, but this one's nothing to write home about. It's hard to know who to blame here: The writers? Director? Actors? Maybe a little of each? In any case, the result is about as exciting as a stale corn tortilla. I give it two stars because the sceneary [Italian countryside] is absolutely stunning, and having visited Italy, it brought back memories of how beautiful a place it is. So I guess if you just want a vacation for the eyes, you can watch this film on mute.

(2012-05-25 00:53)

Scenery

(1.) Predictable story of girl in Italy with fiancé and ends up dumping him for ...(2.) Second predictable storyline of past love affair, long forgotten, brought back to life.(3.) Lots of scenes of countryside, villas and old Italian buildings and streets that always look good on film but if you had to live there you would move to Beijing or Mumbai for a less rundown urban environment. (4.) Good script but flat & stereotypic acting (Sophie & Charlie) for the most part. (5.) Charlie a narcissistic, self-absorbed lawyer (and in a ridiculously contrived manner is later portrayed as defending the poor and homeless) meets a self-absorbed, in her writing, female fiancee (Sophie) and her, struggling to start a business, fiancé Victor. To make an entertaining story guess who the loser out is going to be. (6.) The film promotes as acceptable the questionable moral premise of Sophie's lack of commitment to making a marriage successful as well as her failure to work at understanding her fiancés unique positive qualities such as his enthusiasm as he struggles to start their business. (7.) An inconsistency in the script is that Victor was always asking how Sophie's day went and always showed the first signs of affection upon seeing her but such nuances were lacking from Sophie's side. Even though the film makers attempted to make Victor look self-centered I felt that Sophie was the biggest manipulator for her own interests throughout the movie.

aharmas (2012-05-24 17:33)

Good old fashioned romance

Two words: Vanessa Redgrave! This film could have been a light andenjoyable romantic comedy, but Miss Redgraves shines like a verywelcome sun, giving us plenty of warmth and love, like in the classiccomedies of the 30's. Everything was possible back then...Christopher Egan and Amanda Seyfried are not bad at all, and they haveenough chemistry to enjoy the secondary story line, but she doesdeserve a better partner in her next time out. Back to Miss Redgrave,after all, she is back, and much like the story line, she has beenaround forever, but she hasn't been a romantic lead for a while, andthis character is not pretending to be another age, or too hip, or toodifferent, or none is revisiting the genre and looking at thecomplexities of the mind. What we get is a romantic fantasy about twopeople who might get to have their dreams come true.What is special about this entry is that the leading lady is charmingand wise, tender and understanding, that she has a grandson and seesbeyond what the others see. She understands what is like to be in love,what is like to lose a great love, and what it feels like to have asecond chance with the true love of your life. In fact, when we see howshe has some near misses in the film, our hearts nearly break.The film is handsomely photographed. It is after all, Italy, and thereis much to enjoy as the story unfolds. There is no secret andsurprising ending, but a very sweet film, with a fantastic performance,and with much to offer a public that longs for some fulfilling storylines.May Ms. Redgrave live on...

(2012-05-20 14:56)

Missed potential

Solid idea for a movie and definitely a nice way to spend 2 hours. Scenery is just OK for what Tuscany can offer....Verona shines but why film south of Siena in an off season? As for the storyline, both love stories fail completely. I was really kind because I love movies set in Italy to give it 2 stars. They should have taken the 90 minutes to make one love story shine or extended the movie 30 minutes to create 2 interesting love stories. I have no idea why the older couple were together other than a long time ago, they took long walks together. As for the younger couple, they completely fell flat. Their love, apparently, is based on the fact that they have loss in common and that is it. Hollywood was given a great idea set in a perfect county and really messed it up royally...go figure!

girllovesmovies27 (2012-05-19 22:38)

Cute, unrealistic, but good.

*may contain spoilers* I was expecting a cheesy rom-com...and this isnot that. The initial relationship with Amanda and Gael was notbelievable to me. There was no romance there, and perhaps that was alldone on purpose-so the audience could see what Amanda's Sophie couldnot clearly see until AFTER her life-changing experience with Claireand Charlie. I did not like Egan's Charlie-even in the end. But ratherthan focus on the acting, I'd rather point out the writing. It wasdifficult to buy into it all from the beginning. How does she have sucha good job and then she writes one story and suddenly she's in as awriter? This "love" story, while sweet and incredible, doesn't happenin real life. So the audience must drop all preconceived notions oflove, life, and romance. Enjoy the journey and scenery, and try not tocry. I adore Amanda, so I did feel an emotional connection- but stillsomething about this that didn't quite sit right with me. Perhaps Ialso needed to be drinking wine.

(2012-05-19 04:02)

Uplifting story and presentation

This review is from: Letters to Juliet (DVD) Tastefully filmed in beautiful scenes and settings, "Letters" has a pleasant pace and gentle message of connection that is deeper than most. It is a lovely tracing of what can happen, in real life, to real people, when there is no bitterness connected with past events: first loves can start where they left off, when given a second clean slate. The matching of the letter writer with the man she actually knew as a young woman but didn't marry until much later in life (in spite of having had a child together) was genius. All of the principal actors are good, but Redgraves and her "British-stiff" grandson steal the show.

reithe04 (2012-05-18 17:25)

Great movie about the power of true love.

Letters to Juliet is the story of a an aspiring writer named Sophieplayed by Amanda Seyfried who goes to Italy on a pre – honeymoon,accompanied by her distracted workaholic fiancé Victor played by GaelGarcía Bernal and finds true love. While Victor is working Sophie goessightseeing in Verona to the home of Juliet, while there she discoversthat hundreds of women come from all over the world to write letters toJuliet. Curious, after she sees Isabella played by Luisa Raniericollect the letters she follows her to and finds the secretaries ofJuliet. While Victor is distracted, Sophie helps the secretaries answerletters from Juliet, there she discovers a letter that is fifty yearsold, from a girl Claire Smith played by Vanessa Redgrave who left hertrue love in Italy. Sophie replies and is then consequently confrontedby Claire's grandson Charlie played by Christopher Egan and introducedto Claire. Claire, Charlie and Sophie then embark on a journey to findClaire's first love Lorenzo Bartolini played by Franco Nero. WhileClaire begins this journey thinking only of her story she finds so muchmore, the meaning and power of true love, as well as , her own truelove with Charlie. The overall theme of Letters to Juliet is the powerof true love how it knows no bounds, it can cross any borders, and eventime itself. The theme of Letters to Juliet is the power of true love, how it knowsno bounds, is exhibited throughout the movie, including: dialogue,lighting, and camera angles. Each of these film techniques are usedthroughout the movie solidify the theme of true love's power, and howit can overcome all obstacles. Dialogue is a large component inreiterating Letters to Juliet's theme of true love overcoming all. Thisis evidenced in the movie when Sophie and Claire first meet and go todinner. Charlie voices his objections about Claire's trip to findLorenzo while Sophie states "I'm sorry I didn't know love had anexpiration date." Dialogue is also employed to solidify the theme whenClaire reads the letter Sophie wrote her as Juliet, at her weddingtoast. In the letter it states that true love knows no bounds, and thatit is worth any obstacle one has to overcome. Dialogue is a largecomponent in exhibiting the theme of the power of love to conquer all.Lighting is used throughout Letters to Juliet to give us the vibe ofsoft romanticism while signaling true love between characters. WhileSophie is with her distracted fiancé Victor lighting is harsh signalinghis distraction, as well, her frustration. With Charlie and Sophie'strue love is exhibited through lighting, it is softened giving us aromantic, true love vibe. This is exhibited in the restaurant scenewith Sophie and Charlie, lighting is dim and softened giving the scenea romantic feel. Lighting is also used when Claire first sees Lorenzo;both are softened by the natural lighting of the sun, again exhibitingthe theme of true love. Camera angle is used to exhibit the theme oftrue love throughout Letters to Juliet. Camera angle is employed toportray theme by putting us eye level with the characters so we can seetheir happiness, pain, and love shining through. This allows theaudience to feel what the characters are feeling. True love is shownall over Claire's face the minute she sees Lorenzo in the vineyard. Weare able to look right into her face, because of the camera angle andwe see her love, and how all the bumps along the way were worth it.This is evidenced as well when Charlie climbs up to the balcony forSophie, with the camera looking right into his face; we are able to seehis true love, and how he would overcome anything to hold onto Sophie.The theme of true love and its power is strong throughout Letters toJuliet; it is a movie reminiscent of The Notebook in its theme of trueloves power. True love is exhibited as more important and powerful thananything out there. Letters to Juliet is a powerful testament to truelove overcoming all obstacles.

(2012-05-17 20:35)

A Pleasure

I went to watch this film last night, mainly to see Vanessa Redgrave, and Franco Nero acting together again, having seen them in Camelot a long while ago.I am an old romantic, hence Camelot being my favourite film of all time, but I have to say Letters to Juliet will now come a close second. It was a pleasure to watch, The story line was a bit cute, but enjoyable nonetheless. I found some of the scenes quite moving. I know wether I am enjoying a film as I smile all the time and thats exactly what I did. The scenery was wonderfull, and will encourage many visitors to beautifull Verona and the wonderfull Italy. Pleasant, romantic, sceneic, funny, what more could you ask for. Curl up with a box of chocolates.

two-roses (2012-05-17 14:06)

Charming film

I found this a charming film even though I wasn't too keen on theactors. My wife tells me Amanda Seyfield is beautiful. I really don'tlike that sugar and cream look and I often felt that her acting stayedjust on the correct side of twee. Her fiancé, Victor, is obsessed withcooking and ignores her. I couldn't help but wondering how they evergot together. I also thought that such a pasta-mad chef would be abouttwice the size. He was just a little unconvincing. Charlie was okay, a bit bland. One could tell what was going to happenand ask why Sophie (Amanda) didn't interest herself in a more colourfulperson. But he was there and he was nice. So what made the film? Vanessa Redgrave? Maybe. She's supposed to be 65in the film. She looked closer to her real age. But she definitelyconveys warmth, charm and real humane qualities. The scenery. That wasstunning. The dialogue? I think that was the real saver. Sophie andCharlie had better dialogue than their bland characters would suggest. The Secretaries to Juliet were terrific and one of them did fit my ideaof beauty.(Spelling is Australian!)

Shirley Giardino (2012-05-16 11:07)

Well finally!!!

Finally a pure love story that takes you away from a spinning world. No violence, no sex, no "f..." words. A long way from Camelot! Love Vanessa and Franco. Amanda is just a treat.

phed49 (2012-05-16 04:19)

Gives romantic comedy a bad name

Apart from some gorgeous Tuscan scenery and the presence of VanessaRedgrave, this movie offers no reason to waste 90 minutes of your time.The contrived premise - a young woman on holiday with her fiancé writesto a woman who left a letter to Juliet (Shakespeare's heroine) on awall in Verona - might have been easier to swallow if the script had alittle wit and the cast had been more appealing.Amanda Seyfried, who was hilarious in "Mean Girls," has a lovely smilebut is otherwise merely a pretty cipher here. Her purported leadingman, Christopher Egan, is totally charmless and is unable to make hisdisagreeable character appealing. After his first few minutes of screentime, I desperately hoped he wouldn't end up with Ms. Seyfriend - to noavail.The only possible reason to see this film is the presence of VanessaRedgrave, an actress who is always a pleasure to see. Although givennot much interesting to do, she nonetheless makes her characterbelievable and touching. Would that she was in a better movie!!! Thescenery is beautiful, but it may just as well have been saved for atravelogue.

gegetle (2012-05-14 20:44)

A very good movie. Will caught you unguarded.

I just saw it last last week and I was surprised because, even thoughthe story is very predictable, it would make you want to experience it. Nowadays love stories are, well very boring, but this movie definitelychanged it. Amanda Seyfried really did a fantastic job here. She portraits thecharacter, Sophie, very professionally. At first, you'll say the movieis SO boring and that will not satisfy your standards by just seeingthe trailer but when you start watching it, as a movie and not atrailer, you will be really surprised.I really like the ending. It was like in the fairytale "And they livehappily ever after." 8/10 very good! 2 thumbs up!

Andrew (2012-05-14 08:47)

Surprisingly Good Movie

I had seen the previews for this movie around Christmas last year and knew I was going to get roped into seeing this with my wife when it came out. I do enjoy a good romantic comedy but thought this one looked a little to sappy. I was pleasantly surprised when my wife and I saw this movie today. It had just the right touch of humor and truly warmed the heart. It is a story of improbable love and destiny. If you like those to things blended together I think you will like this film.It is pretty predictible but I am of the mindset you go to a movie to be entertained and try not to overanalyze things to much. This is one you can sit back and enjoy and if you do not smile at the end, then you likely are not a fan of a good love story or destiny. Enjoy!

(2012-05-13 00:23)

Ms. Redgrave shines in this lovely romance

The storyline in Letters to Juliet may be unrealistic and even sappy, but I found it an engaging and charming watch nevertheless. It doesn't hurt that the movie is mainly set in the beautiful countryside of Verona, Italy and the gorgeous cinematography is one of the major highlights of this movie. Aspiring writer Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) is engaged to be married to chef and budding entrepreneur Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal). The pair travel to Italy for a vacation but each is consumed by work, leaving little time for each other. Then Sophie finds a 50-year-old note addressed to Shakespeare's Juliet, and takes it upon herself to answer it. When the woman who wrote the note discovers it, Sophie finds herself being swept up in a real life romantic quest to discover the recipient of the note.Claire, the genteel woman who wrote the note is played by the majestic Vanessa Redgrave, who always manages to light up the screen in any role she plays, even if it is not a major role. Claire is accompanied on her quest by both Sophie, who is happy to tag along as she finds inspiration for her writing, and Claire's cynical grandson,Charlie, who grudgingly accompanies his grandmother. The trio search for the elusive Lorenzo, whom Claire met as a young teen of fifteen almost fifty years earlier.The movie worked for me because of the credible interplay between the three main characters. Amanda Seyfried is lovely and charming and plays her role earnestly while sharing a credible chemistry with Charlie (Christopher Egan). The two young people contrast nicely with the aging yet graceful Claire who has much wisdom to impart even as she herself makes new discoveries about the power of love to bring about change. This wonderful interaction between the cast coupled with the magnificent backdrop of Verona, Italy makes for a lovely romantic drama. I recommend this movie for those who love romance dramas set in Italy, and also recommend my personal favorite Under the Tuscan Sun (Widescreen Edition) and Enchanted April.

jotix100 (2012-05-12 09:18)

Will the real Lorenzo Bartolini, please stand up!

Something amazing happened to us when we went to see this film at alocal multiplex. We were the only person in the theater just as thelights went down for the second showing of the day. Fearing for theworst, since this movie had recently opened in New York, we decided toask if we could change to another movie. We switched to RodrigoGarcia's "Mother and Child", a more satisfying film, in our experience,and saw it with other people in the audience.Fast forward to a recent flight. One of the choices was "Letters toJuliet"! As we had seen most of the other selections, we decided totake a chance, finally. Gary Winick has made a career out of makingcomedies, some good, others not so. Being a "captive audience", thefilm was pleasant enough, a typical fare for most commercial airlinespresentations because it is the type of genre that will appeal to mostaudiences looking for entertainment.The story is basically targeted for viewers looking for the type ofromance depicted in the film, with breathtaking scenery to go alongwith the story. Amanda Seyfried is a beautiful young woman who casts anice presence in the story. She is Sophie, an upbeat woman with apositive attitude toward life. Her boyfriend, Victor, is played by GaelGarcia Bernal, who is usually seen in more dramatic roles. ChristopherEgan is a new face from Australia and plays the grandson of the womanwho years ago fell in love with an Italian man.The production was photographed by Marco Pontecorvo, who obviouslyknows a few things about how to capture the beauty of his nativecountry. The musical score is credited to Andrea Guerra, the son ofItalian icon Tonino Guerra. Gary Winick directs with an eye toward thebeauty of the place where the action is set.Even though the fictional Romeo is never found, two old lovers discoverthe pleasures of being finally together after fifty years.

(2012-05-06 20:20)

Long-lost love and cardboard characters

Cute film, but the most it's got going for it is fabulous Italian scenery and good-looking actors (both young and not so young!). The characters are cardboard, the kind that only Shakespeare could get away with...for a more satisfying romp in Italy with a Shakespearean theme, I prefer Kenneth Branagh's 1993 interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing.

(2012-05-06 06:54)

I was in Chick Flick Heaven

What can I say. I loved this movie. A young girl trying to help an older women find true love with the man she knew 50 years ago. This movie is filled with feel good feeling and emotion, and I was moved to tears through out. I think this movie demonstrates one of the most moving expressions of the human spirit that I have seen in a long time. And anyone who is single and longs to find their true love will be able to take alot of hope away from watching this movie - I know I did. I think the only time I was more moved was when I saw Titanic. Ok this may sound strange coming from a guy, and alot of men would probably dismiss this movie very quickly as just another chick flick. But I am the kind of guy who likes to feel a movie and not just watch it. So for those of you who are so inclined - I encourage you to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a box of tissues and enjoy Letters To Juliet.

Syed Shabbir Ahmed (2012-05-06 09:25)

Letters to Juliet.. My Review

I don't know where to start. I even don't have words to describe thismovie. First of all, I don't know why the rating on IMDb is so low. Ifyou ask me, you gotta kidding me. One of the most romantic movies Ihave ever seen. Not that I don't see movies. But seriously, this movieis right there at the top. There were plenty of scenes I do stillremember from the movie which I think does happen in real life. Plotswere great, both the actors shared a great chemistry and there weresome moments in the movie where I would loved to be a part of. On thewhole, a great experience and a great movie to watch. And if you are aromantic person and haven't seen this movie till now then you aresurely missing out. I don't know if this post will be read by someone out there but Ibelieve in destiny and I still hope I meet that one person whom I willcherish my life with. This is myself signing off and all of you have agreat time to come..-- Syed

Red-125 (2012-05-05 10:33)

Enjoyable, predictable romantic comedy

Letters to Juliet (2010),directed by Gary Winick, is an enjoyable--ifpredictable--romantic comedy.Amanda Seyfried portrays Sophie, a young American woman who works as afact-checker for the New Yorker magazine. She's engaged to a handsomeItalian chef who is getting ready to open his own restaurant in NewYork City. In order to meet his suppliers in person, the fiancé needsto travel to Italy, and Sophie goes along. They end up in Verona, whereSophie learns that a group of women answer letters written to Juliet.These letters, mostly from heartbroken women, are placed into chinks ina wall near Juliet's balcony. Sophie joins the group of women, andfinds a letter left many years earlier. In this letter, a youngwoman--Claire--explains to her Italian lover that she must leave himand return to England.Sophie finds Claire's address, and answers the letter. As would beexpected in a romantic comedy, Claire arrives in Verona, accompanied byher handsome, but sullen, young nephew.So, ten minutes into the film, the stage is set. Naturally Sophie,Claire, and nephew Charlie will set out to find the lost love. You canplot the rest of the movie yourself. What happens when you bringtogether a beautiful older woman on a quest, a beautiful younger woman,a fiancé more interested in cheeses and wines than in his bride-to-be,and a young man unwillingly in the company of his aunt and a beautifulyoung woman? If you can't guess, you haven't been watching enoughromantic comedies.What makes the film enjoyable is the beautiful scenery in and aroundVerona, and the excellent casting. Amanda Seyfried is perfect for therole of Sophie. She comes across as intelligent and kind, and herAlice-in-Wonderland good looks make her typecast for the part.Vanessa Redgrave has always been one of the great, elegant screenbeauties, and she is also perfect for the part of Claire.The attractive city of Verona, and the beautiful Italian countrysidearound Verona, make this film work as a travelogue as well.This is a movie worth seeing, if you're not expecting profoundphilosophy and deep meaning. It's a great hotel film, in the sensethat--at least for me--hotel films are meant to be light andnon-demanding. Unfortunately in this context, the scenic part of themovie would work better on the large screen in a theater. However, ifthat's not an option, rent it and see it on DVD. You'll enjoy it.