She's So Lovely [Blu-ray]

Disparity of response
If you read the various reviews of this movie, you will find an amazing array of responses to it. I think this is largely a function of the horrid marketing of this movie. When my friend recmmended that I watch it, I did a once-over of its packaging and decided I wasn't interested. He insisted, and so I reluctantly agreed to watch it. Despite it's packaging, this is not a sentimental romantic comedy in the "Pretty Woman" or "Look Who's Talking" vein. If this is the sort of movie you like, you should move on and not waste your time with this.

The movie is divided into two parts. The first focuses on the troubled relationship of derelict couple Eddie and Moe (played by real-life spouses Sean and Robin Wright Penn). Penn's character is dissolute, and puts Moe in the bad position of being vulnerable to the sleazy advances of a neighbor (played well by The Sopranos' James Gandolfini). When Eddie finds out what happens as a result, he becomes steadily unhinged. His performance in a...

In defence of She's So Lovely
What is it about a down and out romance like 'She's So Lovely' that seems to polarise an audience into those who see it as a trashy, confusing and unrealistic ride, and those of us that find it endearing, amusing and utterly, utterly charming. Perhaps we find a grain of truth within She's So Lovely that identifies with our own lives. Husband + wife team Sean + Robin Wright Penn deliver sterling performances and an unmistakable on-screen chemistry as they come to terms with their roller coaster relationship, and their sense of belonging in a changing society. Nobody plays the down on his luck,loveable loser quite like Penn, and Robin Wright Penn is a revelation as his ideal companion. This is the perfect antidote to all the high budget - low chemistry romance/dramas on the racks, combining superb acting and great dialogue, with an engrossing and uplifting story.

They Put The Mad In 'Madly In Love'
I've read interviews with Sean Penn wherin he laments the fact that this film was overlooked. But somehow I believe that they WANT this film to be 'underground'. Otherwise, how could they do such a poor job marketing it?

For starters, the title is completely misleading. "She's So Lovely" absolutely screams Romantic Chick Flick but this movie couldn't be further from that. Mabey the script's original title, "She's De Lovely," would have seemed clever once you'd seen the film, but they went with "She's So Lovely," which, frankly, (...). It makes no sense, has absolutely no relevance and misrepresents the movie.

Huge marketing error #2 is the packaging. One word: Horrible. My copy says "Demo Tape - Box Art May Vary", and I said to my friend "God, I sure hope so!". However, I see they stuck with the exact same blurry photos of the stars with a brown line over their faces...it looks like a preliminary effort for the screener box they never got around to finishing up.

I think...

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