Wicker Park Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)September 2nd, 2004
WICKER PARK
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
WICKER PARK stars Josh Hartnett and Diane Kruger, two excruciatingly lightweight actors with zero chemistry, as lovers Matthew and Lisa. Although Kruger looks just like the equally weak Shannyn Sossamon, Harnett's costar in 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS, Kruger was last seen as the "face that launched a thousand ships" in TROY. As Lisa's friend Alex, Rose Byrne (also from TROY) is given what should be the meatiest role in this concealed identity story, but her performance will leave you as cold as the constant snow outside. Why this winter movie, set in a snowy Chicago, gets released in the waning days of summer is a mystery worth pondering.
What isn't worth many of your brain cells is trying to figure out this convoluted picture which relies on a series of twists upon twists in the second half to make amends for the lame first part. If the story's complex plot always seems more promising than the movie itself, it is probably because the film is a remake of a much more successful French film called L'APPARTEMENT.
To the extent that WICKER PARK works at all, it is because of a small but scene-stealing performance by Matthew Lillard as Luke, Matthew's best buddy. The eminently likable and extremely funny Luke has trouble finding and keeping a girlfriend, while charisma-challenged Matthew has several women wanting him, including Rebecca (Jessica Paré) with whom he is "nearly engaged." Lillard's best work here occurs in an inevitable scene toward the picture's end when true identities are revealed. With his delicious reaction shots, he is a riot in it.
The best part of the movie is that it makes you want to go rent the original.
WICKER PARK runs way too long at 1:51. It is rated PG-13 for "sexuality and language" and would be acceptable for kids around 10 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, September 3, 2004. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.
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