Ashley Townsend (blackeyedsurfer)

Cutest movie ever! How did it take me over twelve years to see it? From the song selection to the costumes and production design, this movie gets everything right. And then there is Adam Sandler's surprisingly understated performance, and his undeniable chemistry with Drew Barrymore. And the little twist on the cliche chase-to-the-airport ending was adorable.

While Michelle Williams delivers yet another top-notch performance, she and the rest of the talent involved are completely wasted in a film that isn't sure how to handle itself. Williams plays a woman who loses her husband and son in a suicide bombing at a London soccer match. She wasn't at the game herself because she was having an affair with a sleazy journalist she met in a bar, played by Ewan McGregor.





Even with a concept that is a little far-fetched and perhaps a little more than trashy, this is the least of the film's problems. From the point of the bombing in the first act through the rest of the movie, the story completely loses itself to it's own overambition. It tries to get into heavy political and religious issues, but it doesn't delve as deep as it wants to, instead treading in safe, but unsatifsfying shallowness, and seeming unable to focus on one theme for more than a few minutes.





Several plot points are completely unbelievable, not to mention ham-fisted, like the tribute the city sets up for the dead, consisting of a thousand blimps hovering over London, each one with a photo of one of the bombing victims. The image looks like a scene out of Blade Runner or Children of Men, while no other shot in the movie comes close to resembling these futuristic dystopias. What, could they not find enough marble to build a simple, elegant memorial statue?





Other unsubstantial points include Williams' forged friendship with one of the suspected bombers' sons and she tracks him down and meets him on a commuter bus, and her "dear Osama Bin Laden" voiceover monologues, where she addresses the Al-Qaeda leader directly, searching for a reason for her son's death.





Ewan McGregor, the "other man" in the scenario, is almost completely forgotten in the second half of the story. His journalism background provides a logical reason for him to investigate the attacks, but his character isn't given enough screentime to show his process, and his discovery of one of the bomber's identities feels too coincidental. His relationship with Williams takes a backseat, while another man comes into the forefront.





Matthew MacFadyen, playing the cop assigned to the case, spends more time pursuing Williams' character romantically than actually working. He and Williams apparently knew each other previously, as her husband was also a cop, but this previous relationship is never explored, only mentioned in passing. McGregor is far more likable and seems more interested and capable in getting to the bottom of the attacks to provide Williams with some closure than MacFadyen does, and a new, honest romance could have blossomed between the two of them, but the film remains too unfocused to be a subtle character drama, choosing instead to go big and all out with it's agendas.

Although it can be quickly and easily dismissed, this contemporary Shakespearean adaptation is far above a typical teen romp. Loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew, intricate characterization and solid performances make 10 Things not only tolerable, but thoroughly enjoyable. The cast is loaded with talent: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larry Miller, and Allison Janney, to name only a few. Ledger and Stiles have chemistry, and even this early in their careers, it was clear that they were destined for greatness. Ledger's ridiculously romantic scene where he serenades Stiles over the public address system in the middle of soccer practice, singing The Four Seasons' classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" is simply icing on the cake.

A childhood fave!