Elizabethtown (2005)

An action-packed slog

It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I must say I don't understand why this movie is so underrated and I don't since 2011, when I saw the movie for the first time in my life. Some time ago I was a huge fan of Orlando Bloom, that's why I went across this movie, and I don't remember why I couldn't see it as soon as I found out the movie exists, but 7 years ago I did it. I didn't know what to expect, but I was amazed by this film. It was as simple as my life - Drew already in the beginning becomes your friend, because who haven't had any fails or even fiascos in this life? I guess, it's one of those points which makes characters on screen and movie watchers so close. Cuz from the first moments you see someone has to deal with a failure, with a problem, with attitude from others, and that's what we do all the time!I've seen this movie many times and every time I discover something new. Last time I watched it was after I lost one of my relatives. I actually immediately wanted to see this movie, cuz it's characters are going through same difficulties and they have to deal with same stuff as any of us who ever lost a very close and important person. You have your own life, again - your success and your failures, and then, out of a sudden, you have to deal with such things.And then there's Clair. It was the first movie I really noticed Kirsten Dunst, cuz I do believe I've seen her before, but in this movie she was so adorable, her character was a bit crazy, but a lot lovely. And have you ever payed attention how they met for the first time in the plane? Personally, I checked it just in last time I was watching movie. She sees him and she already knows THAT'S THE GUY. And she walks and she talks, and he doesn't care, cuz he's way too busy with his own life, but then there's this Clair, who simply can't step away from him, who wants to help and probably keep him as well. Anyways, in my opinion this is kinda lovely way how to show people's relationship on the screen, cuz, I must I've been somewhere there as well. Being Clair makes everything much more fun, in life! She's smart, fun and definitely lovely, and deserves the best.I really love the way how grows relationship between those two in the movie. Also, I love the fact it all happens meanwhile the funeral of Drew's father takes place. Drew's failure, father's death, unexpected meeting with Clair, crying sister and their very optimistic mother, and Drew's meeting with his relatives from father's side + the wedding of Chuck & Cindy. Sounds like a crazy salad, a mix of everything, but it all works so good together. It's actually really simple, and every time I'm watching this movie, I feel like I'm actually watching a life, indeed. There are so many events at once, it actually makes you feel like your watching a life, cuz we all go through all of this and it's not like we're just working or trying to figure out our relationships with others, it's like all together at once and we have to deal with every inch of it all. And "if it wasn't this, it'd be something else".The final thing I would like to admit in all of this... is the music. It makes this movie much more beautiful. Songs are perfectly picked for every scene they appear and that, of course, makes me love of this a lot lot more. And when I want to take rest from a hard day, I simply turn on something from Elizabethtown's OST.It's been 7 years since the first time I saw the movie and 13 years already since it came out. I guess, there will be 13 more, and this will still be one of my all time favorite movies. Don't miss a chance to see something so light and sweet!

This film is a mess. Which I am sad to say as I am a huge fan of the works of Cameron Crowe. How this fits into the Crowe canon, after such gems as Vanilla Sky, Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire, does not sit well with me. It feels more like the muddled work of a filmmaker still honing his craft.The screenplay is muddled and unconvincing. It seems unable to decide whether it wants to be a romantic comedy, an absurd comedy or a black comedy. Despite the best efforts of two very charming lead actors, Kristen Dunst and Orlando Bloom. Dunst's character 'Claire' is less 'charming' and more a terrifying crazy pushy desperate ex-girlfriend type. Bloom's 'Drew' is a beige, muddled, boring, self-absorbed slob.There is a silly, unconvincing premise involving a ridiculous pair of sneakers designed by Bloom's character for his company headed by an eccentric 'Elon Musk' type billionaire played by Alec Baldwin. The sneakers are an epic failure and have cost the company a $1B loss. The sneakers, along with Drew's comical suicide attempt, look as silly as this premise and setup this film poorly from the start.This could have been a heart-felt, warm, funny tale of two lost souls finding meaning through each-other, but it tries to be so many things it ends up failing at all of them.The soundtrack (and Cameron Crowe has such wonderful taste in music, I am as much a fan of his soundtracks as his (other) films) is another example of how messy this film is. 35-different tracks are credited on IMDb it feels like a badly made mix-tape, (which is precisely how most of these songs are incorporated into the script). With some heavy editing from the 2-hour length down to a more palatable 90-minutes it might be a passable film. Cut out Alec Baldwin and Susan Sarandon's distracting and meaningless roles. Cut out Claire's crazy, and try and inject some small semblance of worth into Drew. If either of the main characters were even slightly more likable, the film would be equally more likable.

I was moved and touched, delighted and entranced by this movie. I've seen it over and over again. It is rich and full, textured and layered. I never fail to get caught up in it, even when I can't spare the time. No need for plot summary. It's just the warm and happy and wonderful feeling you get watching characters develop and the film unfold as a series of vignettes that weave together to take hold of your emotions and make you think about events in your own life.Susan Sarandon gives a wonderful speech in the movie. You'll know it when it comes. Beautiful. The best part is the end. It's as positive and upbeat and heartwarming as can be. Much like Kirsten Dunst's character in the movie. Whom I love. Love, love, love. Mixed bag of reviews to be sure. But I say this is a masterpiece. Possibly the most under-appreciated movie of all time.

it has a lot of sins. too long, too ambitious, ambiguous, too confuse in many scenes, unrealistic. it has a lot of virtues. the cast, the music, the sensitive line of story, the humor and the poetic parts. short, it is a special film who choose its public in precise manner. far to be great or memorable, it represents an inspired mixture of lovely moments and nice meditation about the most important things from life.sure, the performances are not great and the two hours could be too much but that are only details. important is the romance in not bad package. and the result.who, maybe, is not seductive at all,but it is a good soup for few souls. that could be all.