Something Borrowed

OK, so those that follow my blog will note that over the past few days some weird stuff has occurred. The site was down for maintenance on Thursday, so new posts couldn't go up. (Hence the delay in my movie capsule reviews). Then on Friday, I put the post up finally, and another post disappeared. (Sorry for all you Alpha readers out there). Then it magically re-appeared on Saturday.

Anyway, to make a long explanation even longer, today there will be two posts. Either that makes you excited or makes your eyes tired. This first post (which was originally supposed to appear Friday) is on the May 6 release, "Something Borrowed."

If you read the capsule review, you'll know I didn't particularly care for the film. But I figured it was worth expanding on my problems with it in a separate post... but the blog sought to defeat me. (My new working theory is the people at Google have a financial stake in the film....)

Anyway, the movie is not a cinematic work of art, but it was really a story issue that caused me to rate it low. There are three things that struck me about the film.

First, it seems to be paving the way to a sequel. This is all the rage now, and the tacked on scene following the credits certainly makes it seem like that is where they are going. This is the third major release this summer season (yes I'm counting "Fast Five") that builds to a sequel, but it's the most ridiculous to do so. Or at least it was at that time, now I'm thinking that honor has passed to the hideous action release "Priest."

Can't Hollywood concentrate on making a good movie and be at peace with that? Clearly not judging by the sequel and re-make filled summer slate. But I just don't see a sequel for this film being a good idea (and, yes, I do realize there is a sequel to the book upon which the film is based).

Second, the story construct of the film bothered me. The goal (spoiler alert) with this film is to get you to invest in a central relationship built on an affair. A creepy affair at that, seeing as how the heroine is cheating with her lifelong best friend's fiance while helping fulfill her duties as Maid of Honor during the day. At the end — sensing people's unease with the story — the film tries to justify the affair by heaping on other unpleasant events. But, I'm sorry, knowing everyone is cheating, and these people cheated their way into a grand, romantic love affair didn't make the film any more satisfying.

Sadly, this is just part of a trend. Though I enjoyed "Water for Elephants" from a cinematic standpoint, I was still bothered (spoiler alert) that the narrative called for you to get behind a romantic pairing that began as an extra-marital affair. Sure, these things happen in real life, and they have long been a part of Hollywood productions. It just seemed liked in past movies and shows affairs resulted in strife, hurt, and anger. Now, they result in a happily-ever-after type ending.

In the case of "Something Borrowed," I felt like the story construct made all the central characters unlikeable, which ultimately makes the ending very unsatisfying.

Finally, I couldn't help but think that Kate Hudson's career has hit a new downward plane. Back in 2000, Hudson was a star in the making after earning an Academy Award nomination (I still think she should have won) for a great performance in "Almost Famous." Eleven years and a ton of failed, formulaic romantic comedies later, I cringe when I see her in trailers. Most of the time the movies she's in — and the roles she's given — are less than ideal. "Something Borrowed" is a prime example. Her character of Darcy, though for most of the film she should be viewed as a victim, is utterly unlikeable. And now they're thinking of building a sequel around her character. Ugh...