Have you ever experienced the excitement of all–consuming love? The kind that takes your breath away and turns every day into a hazy blur of laughs, passionate kisses and Stars tracks? Neither have we. But we imagine it’s a little bit like director Drake Doremus’ Like Crazy.
Jacob (Yelchin) and Anna (Jones) are head over heels in love. Fresh out of the nest, the British Anna meets LA–native Jacob when she attends college in his hometown. Their whirlwind relationship that ensues is shortened into 20–or–so minutes of washed out scenes tracking the quick development of their intimate relationship.
The flowing montage is cut short only when the worst possible scenario occurs: the two realize that a little thing called an expired Visa, which prevents Anna from returning to the States after a trip home, can have a pull even stronger than that of young love. From here on out, the couple struggles to maintain a cross–Atlantic relationship without sacrificing any of their individual ambitions.
Doremus’ greatest success is his choice of cast. Not once does the audience consider the young ages of Jacob and Anna or at all doubt the validity of their love. Rather, the incredible performances of the two young actors make the heightened passion of their relationship realistic and understandable. We have all felt that way at some point… or wanted to… or had a crush on that guy from sociology class last year. We totally get it.
Like Crazy is curated in a way that masterfully consumes the viewer into the speed and extremity of the young couple’s romance. Muted, dream–like colors fill the exciting stages of their courtship, while harsh realities are met with a focused, vivid presentation. Likewise, the film is paced to welcome the audience into the speed of a love story. The positive scenes blend together while hard–hitting moments stop us in our tracks.
Undoubtedly, Like Crazy will pull on your heartstrings and take you on an emotional roller coaster — in the best way possible. Still, in the end, the most hopeless romantic is left questioning the difference between being in love with a person and being in love with the excitement of love itself. Might we turn your attention to the final bus ride scene in The Graduate? Ya, like that.
4/5 Stars Directed by: Drake Doremus Starring: Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones See if you liked: The Graduate (1967) Rated PG–13, 90 min.
