Love Happens (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• ♥Robyn

  
  this film is the story of a man, Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart), who has made a career out of his denial after his wife was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Writing a self-help book which became a best seller, Burkes agent, Lane (Dan Folger) has scheduled him on a whirlwind… More
  this film is the story of a man, Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart), who has made a career out of his denial after his wife was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Writing a self-help book which became a best seller, Burkes agent, Lane (Dan Folger) has scheduled him on a whirlwind tour around the nation which has, after three years, returned him to his hometown of Seattle and It is his return to the city of his loss that begins his healing.

• Nicki M

  
  I think this one is scoring low because it looks like a romantic comedy from the cover. Even though Jennifer Aniston is in it, this is not some slight, fluffy movie.Of all the films I have seen her in, this is closest in tone to "The Good Girl". (Another excellent film).… More
  I think this one is scoring low because it looks like a romantic comedy from the cover. Even though Jennifer Aniston is in it, this is not some slight, fluffy movie.Of all the films I have seen her in, this is closest in tone to "The Good Girl". (Another excellent film). This one mainly follows Aaron Eckhart's character. He is a self help guru who has not yet come to terms with the death of his own wife in a car accident. He meets Jennifer Aniston's Eloise, who is a florist who has recently caught her boyfriend cheating on her again. Though there is a little romance in this film, and a few funny parts, it is not the gist of the movie, and those looking to enjoy a feel good movie are bound to be disappointed as this is more to do with overcoming loss and dealing with grief. Once you know what to expect, it is actually very well done and I even had a few tears in my eyes towards the end, which doesn't happen often, I can tell you!

• Cassie H

  
  Another Jennifer Aniston movie that I love!!!!!!!! :)

• Nani V

  
  Not all that great, but decent to watch. I was expecting something more romantic, I suppose. Eckhart plays an author of a self-help book on how to deal with the death of someone you love. While in town, he meets Aniston, who plays a florist that provides flowers to the hotel he… More
  Not all that great, but decent to watch. I was expecting something more romantic, I suppose. Eckhart plays an author of a self-help book on how to deal with the death of someone you love. While in town, he meets Aniston, who plays a florist that provides flowers to the hotel he happens to stay at.

• Roy G

  
  In Jennifer Aniston's latest feeble romantic drama, almost nothing happens. Certainly not love or, indeed, much in the way of excitement.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Anniston, Dan Fogler, Martin Sheen, Judy Greer, John Carroll Lynch DIRECTED BY: BRANDON CAMP Widower (Eckhart) whose book about coping with loss turns him into a best-selling self-help guru. On a business trip to Seattle, he falls for a woman (Aniston)… More
  Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Anniston, Dan Fogler, Martin Sheen, Judy Greer, John Carroll Lynch DIRECTED BY: BRANDON CAMP Widower (Eckhart) whose book about coping with loss turns him into a best-selling self-help guru. On a business trip to Seattle, he falls for a woman (Aniston) who attends one of his seminars, only to learn that he hasn't yet truly confronted his wife's passing. I was settled in to watch what I thought was going to be a little funny drama romance comedy. Ended up being the opposite. It was actually a bit depressing. Most of the film is about grieving people and them coping with their loses. Jennifer and Aaron just didn't have the chemistry they needed to pull this movie off. Nor do I think it would have helped. Acting wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. Nothing special in this film. Although I did like John Carroll Lynch in this movie and thought his character's story was very sad. A few funny moments but nothing in this film will be memorable. I had to look at the DVD case to get the title of it cause I had forgotten it. So I guess that sums up this whole movie for me. Forgettable.

• Manu G

  
  I thought this movie was A-Okay!!! This movie is not only about love but about forgetting love one's in order to move on and achieve self-happiness. I think the acting on this film was very good and I loved very much the ending. Burke is a motivational speaker who's book… More
  I thought this movie was A-Okay!!! This movie is not only about love but about forgetting love one's in order to move on and achieve self-happiness. I think the acting on this film was very good and I loved very much the ending. 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 - it goes badly. What's blocking Burke? Can the physician heal himself.

• Jennifer X

  
  In “Love Happens,” Aaron Eckhart — of “The Dark Knight” fame — plays Burke Ryan, a smarmy self-help counselor encouraging everyone to follow a grief management system he developed after his wife's death. Burke ends up conducting a three-day seminar in Seattle,… More
  In “Love Happens,” Aaron Eckhart — of “The Dark Knight” fame — plays Burke Ryan, a smarmy self-help counselor encouraging everyone to follow a grief management system he developed after his wife's death. Burke ends up conducting a three-day seminar in Seattle, assuring participants that everything will be “A-OK!,” as the title of his book proclaims. On the other side of things, there's Jennifer Aniston (TV’s “Friends”) who plays Eloise Chandler, a flower shop owner getting over a string of cheating musician boyfriends. She is also presumably accustomed to deflecting the advances of self-help counselors like Burke. The two meet, they squabble and they only have 72 hours together. Even still, they fall for each other, and love happens. At least, this is what the movie description — not to mention the title — tells us. Based on the title alone, one would expect a slightly sappy romantic comedy that's funny and predictable but heartwarming all the same. Instead the audience is treated to two hours of a self-indulgent Burke bawling about what a hypocrite he is because he didn’t actually get over his wife’s death. In this sense, Eloise becomes less of a leading romantic figure than a supporting one, prodding Burke along in his tortuous journey toward recovery. Expectations aside, the movie is a mess. Its vague attempts at humor are painful. The emotional intensity of the film could be held in a teaspoon. There is a scene filled with people slow clapping that will make audiences physically embarrassed for the extras forced to perform in it. And the ending, where Eloise and Burke inevitably get together, seems grafted on. There is scarcely a scene where these two were talking about something even tangentially love-related. In short, this film has no idea what it wants to be. Is it a satirical film critiquing brand names and big corporations? Is it the Lifetime Channel Weepie of the Year? It's certainly not a generic romantic comedy, despite its halfhearted attempts to mime one. In this way, "Love Happens" becomes less of a predictable Hollywood film and more of an identity-crisis-stricken Sybil of American cinema. The excellent cast should have rescued the film, but it failed to live up to its potential. Aaron Eckhart, fresh from the pathos of Harvey Dent and the sleaze of Nick Naylor from “Thank You for Smoking,” paired with Jennifer Aniston, America’s sweetheart, should have sent sparks flying. Something really good could have come from this. Instead, viewers are treated to shots of Eckhart looking morosely to the side, drinking Grey Goose. And then there are the interminable scenes of the grief seminar, which ring of superficiality. Unexpectedly, Jennifer Aniston might be the saving grace of this movie — or at least the closest thing to it. She breathes some much-needed life into the bland-as-beans character of Burke, faking sign language to escape his come-ons, reading him memorable notecards saved from years of flower deliveries and borrowing a telephone truck to watch a Rogue Wave concert. Deftly, she suggests there might be some semblance of romantic chemistry brewing underneath, but these moments are way too few and far between. “Love Happens” is poignant without the pathos, and it's a chick flick without the romance. The movie transcends mere hackneyed Hollywood romance because it can’t even do generic right. And even so, two screenwriters are filing a billion-dollar lawsuit against this movie for the rights to the story because they claim they thought of it first. Why anyone would declare responsibility for this tedious mess of a movie is unexplainable.

• moon r

  
  self-help guru eckhart has a secret: he's the one who most needs his own advice, and he ain't listenin'. a shocker. ain't i supposed to say "spoiler alert" first? oh dammit. eckhart roughly manages to engage as a soul in torment while trying to be… More
  self-help guru eckhart has a secret: he's the one who most needs his own advice, and he ain't listenin'. a shocker. ain't i supposed to say "spoiler alert" first? oh dammit. eckhart roughly manages to engage as a soul in torment while trying to be upbeat, while aniston regretfully continues to languish as merely the projector screen for the lust of america (and she's better than that...i hope. i would face her off against sandra bullock in a something like "all about eve", now THAT would be hot!) dan fogler and john carroll lynch prove that solid character work is what holds many a film together. and a parrot almost steals the movie, say no more.

• Jeff T

  
  First, a hypothetical. Let's say you're the only person sitting in the theater watching the slick, shitty LOVE HAPPENS. What does that say about you? Well, enough about me. Let's talk (as little as possible) about this truly well-made piece of crap. Two beautiful,… More
  First, a hypothetical. Let's say you're the only person sitting in the theater watching the slick, shitty LOVE HAPPENS. What does that say about you? Well, enough about me. Let's talk (as little as possible) about this truly well-made piece of crap. Two beautiful, charming, likeable stars (I'd give them each 1 star bringing the total to two here, but I'm deducting a quarter star from each for saying yes to this). A couple of supporting actors (including the wonderful you'd-know-who-he-is-if-you-saw-him John Carroll Lynch, ditto Judy Greer and Martin Sheen (the frickin' president!)) who are slumming. And a cliche-ridden, insultingly, gratingly, heart-pokingly trite screenplay that prays on an audience's feeling sad for people who are working their way through grief and that just flops along handsomely, because millions of dollars were put into churning out this detritus. Which brings me to my opening question, which I think I can answer: even I might think less of me for seeing it.

• Sol C

  
  Aaron Eckhart's performance is one of the best reasons to watch this film. He shines in it. I could have also seen Richard Gere play this type of role. The film itself feels unbalanced. It reminded me of films like Reign Over Me, Fearless, Nights in Roadanthe, and Message in a… More
  Aaron Eckhart's performance is one of the best reasons to watch this film. He shines in it. I could have also seen Richard Gere play this type of role. The film itself feels unbalanced. It reminded me of films like Reign Over Me, Fearless, Nights in Roadanthe, and Message in a Bottle. It needed a rewrite. The style of the film is off and so is the pacing. It feels like 2 separate movies happening at the same time, the serious dramatic scenes from Aaron and the romantic comedy from Jennifer Aniston's scenes. They didn't blend well together. Jennifer was ok in the role but another actress in the role would have done a much better job. Also I didn't think that she had a good on screen chemistry with Aaron. Dan Fogler does a great job in his supporting role. I also could have seen Jason Alexander play that type of role. Judy Greer, Martin Sheen, and John Carroll Lynch provide solid supporting work as well. I liked the songs that are in the film. The film is worth checking out, mainly for Eckhart's performance.

• Deb S

  
  If you thought this was a romantic comedy, then be warned that it's not. The movie is actually about loss, coping with the death of a loved one and moving on with life in the present. The "love story" is less than secondary, and is practically incidental as self-help… More
  If you thought this was a romantic comedy, then be warned that it's not. The movie is actually about loss, coping with the death of a loved one and moving on with life in the present. The "love story" is less than secondary, and is practically incidental as self-help guru Burke (Aaron Eckhart) and Florist Eloise (Jennifer Aniston) meet while Burke is touring Seattle giving self-help seminars. Burke is struck by her quirkiness and asks her out 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. But Burke has a secret. He suffered a tragedy three years ago, and has not quite worked through it. On one hand he's teaching others how to move on from their pain, but in private we see that he still can't quite let go. Will he overcome the tragedy, or will he suffer in loneliness. A noteworthy performance was that of Walter played perfectly by John Carroll Lynch who is grieving over his dead son and veteran Martin Sheen did well in his few minutes of screen time. Overall, there is nothing groundbreaking here but I liked it.

• Philip P

  
  It is an interesting chemistry between the two very likeable lead stars. You trust both of them, which is important in a movie about love that hardly has a strong relationship in it until the end. Eckhart is a good guy in a bad place, one that has turned his grief into the self-help… More
  It is an interesting chemistry between the two very likeable lead stars. You trust both of them, which is important in a movie about love that hardly has a strong relationship in it until the end. Eckhart is a good guy in a bad place, one that has turned his grief into the self-help seminar entitled A-Okay. He has a rather weak meet-cute with Anistons character but pursues her anyway for no particular reason, he is lucky enough she is wortht he chase though, the first date is rough, but they still see each other, and the movie kind of drags, it doesnt turn into the romantic film it was advertised as, but is really a film about healing, that theme is shown best through a dad who recently lost his son plyed by John Carroll Lynch. Lynch is probably the best part of the film, but you also dont mind watcing Eckhart and Aniston fall for one another no matter how long it takes and how rush this movie actually feels.

• Joseph E

  
  A Very unformualtic Romance. I enjoyed none of it.

• Lee K

  
  Well I orginally now i am writing a review for this, placed it as not interested and so after getting it for the wife and sitting down for some cuddle time I thouroughly enjoyed this flick. I normally poo poo Jenn Aniston's films and thought of all the ones i have seen aside from… More
  Well I orginally now i am writing a review for this, placed it as not interested and so after getting it for the wife and sitting down for some cuddle time I thouroughly enjoyed this flick. I normally poo poo Jenn Aniston's films and thought of all the ones i have seen aside from Derailed I think this is one of her greats. She has such emotion provoked eyes anf fit the part nicely. Aaron Eckhart who I wouldnt go out of my way to see a film thaT Had him as the headliner, was great in this but my hats has to go off to ole Martin Sheen who's little bit in this filme was great bit of acting along with John Caroll Lynch who played one of Eckhart's charector's followers and had lost a family member as well. I have seen John Lynch in only a handful of films but his acting is incredible in all i have seen. Rent this for any who need a good tear jerker cause it will definatly cause some wet faces this im postive...I had something stuck in my eye throughout that caused some tearing up damn next time ill be more prepared lol! Rent this one folks its a winner!

• Erin C

  
  Very sad, but it was still cute. It was pretty funny too.

• Daisy M

  
  That sometimes trailers fooled people its a fact. They piece together the best parts of a movie and made it seem so much better than it actually is.The trailer for Love Happens, showed more laughter then it actually was. Aaron Eckhart role was a guru who's wife died in a car… More
  That sometimes trailers fooled people its a fact. They piece together the best parts of a movie and made it seem so much better than it actually is.The trailer for Love Happens, showed more laughter then it actually was. Aaron Eckhart role was a guru who's wife died in a car crash 3 years ago. His main purpose with all his book and workshops was to help people with the loss of their loved ones except, he had still a secret pain himself. How could Jennifer Aniston accepted this role? She has been in some movies lately and most were not any good. Love does not Happen at all in this movie. Aniston and Eckhart had zero chemistry. What a waist.

• Nikki M

  
  The storyline has some sad parts to it, but overall a good movie.

• Jason C

  
  18%? 18%? Love Happens is a very good movie that is currently rated at 18% on rottentomatoes.com. It's not a classic, but it is certainly a very enjoyable movie. It stars a lot of actors I like who do a good job for the most part. Dan Fogler is a little out of place playing a… More
  18%? 18%? Love Happens is a very good movie that is currently rated at 18% on rottentomatoes.com. It's not a classic, but it is certainly a very enjoyable movie. It stars a lot of actors I like who do a good job for the most part. Dan Fogler is a little out of place playing a role in a more serious movie. I've loved his comedy characters, and he's alright, but someone more serious would have complemented Eckhart better. Eckhart and Aniston have a chemistry that is pretty rare in a movie that combines two big actors. And who would have thought John Carrloll Lynch would be able to bring his character to life the way he does. From Drew Carrey's cross dressing brother who marries Mimi to this? I've always liked him, but this is very good stuff. He's that actor that you only remember when he's in a movie, but you always remember him as being very good. All of the characters in Love Happens are well done, and it's written so that you can become involved in the story and, when it starts to peak, feel for them. It's a very touching movie. It deals with the loss of a loved one, and a self help guru who needs more help than most of the people coming to his clinics. Love Happens is poorly titled, but once you get past that, it's a movie that makes the most of the formulaic style of movie, and is much more touching than your standard "romantic comedy." It's not so much a comedy. There are some laughs, but don't expect anything big from that angle, but it's a dramatic move that deserves a better title, and more moviegoers in the seats.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings