Jack goes boating
Recently, I have been watching a lot of relationship films and romantic comedies, I have to admit that I just love them. The toughest aspect about them is that my opinion on them depends heavily on the content and much less so on how the film was made. As a result, I remember absolutely nothing about how Hoffman shot the film (except for that hookah scene maybe) but it was just about the story for me.
Speaking of hookahs, I so hate them by association. I never tried them before but the worst guy who ever played a role in my life had roommates who owned one and it was a thing they did together sometimes.
But I digress. I do remember how the film unfolded slowly and there is something so very sweet about the slowness in which this relationship progresses. I was also absolutely in love with the character of Jack. His meek but persevering attempts at wooing a woman are plain lovable, and it was nice to see how he explodes into anger when something went really, really wrong. It was so realistic and human and I just liked that. Aside from that, the story just puzzles me. So the perfectly selfless neighbors are having their relationship broken up because they can’t get over their cheating, and the main character somehow fall in love but you never really understand why. What the heck do they see in the other except for the fact that the other one is trying? If love was that simple (you just have to try), I would lose all faith in the world. The film reeks too much of “oh they just happen to be available for each other and they don’t expect any more”. But if that doesn’t bother you, then the “please rape me” scene. Essentially she is too shy for sex, or rather she is afraid of being touched. So what does she say? She stutters: “So… what if you… overcome me?” Then he grabs her and she is overcome and they have sex. Absurd and kind of infuriating. Please, girl, just admit that you are a sexual being and if you absolutely have to be embarrassed and disgusted at that idea, at least don’t push the responsibility to the guy who “overcame” you. You wanted it, and – big news – it’s perfectly fine.
I suppose I vented a little bit too much on a film that is supposed to be sweet, and it really is. I enjoyed watching it, I just don’t buy its story. I think that the side couple is being treated too one-dimensionally and I am a little sad that this film’s writing is screwing with a perfectly nice premise. I know nothing about the play it’s based upon, and I wish it has a little more depth.