MovieChat Forums > Wicker Park (2004) Discussion > I could have improved the film with one ...

I could have improved the film with one single detail change

posted 17 years ago by themax-2
33 replies | jump to latest

I loved this movie, I thought it was really well done, apart from one aspect.
A lot of people (including myself) were sure to be confused by what was past and what was present in the movie, to the point of taking away from the enjoyment of the plotline.
Easy Solution: Have Josh Hartnett grow a beard for the scenes filmed where he's Matthew in the present, and be clean shaven for the scenes in the past where him and Lisa dated..
It would make so much more sense! You would know what was happening now, and what had already happened.
It would also explain the fact that Lisa didn't recognize him in their close-misses and glances.

Sheesh.

Still... 7.5/10

[–] Valerie_Vance 15 years ago

Really? I'm kind of sick of films that tell us if it's in the past or present. It's like they are feeding the audience. I like to be challenged.

It's an ordinary high school day. Except that it's not.

[–] fght_ff_yr_dmns 15 years ago

Wuhrer, you do realize that most films aren't shot straight from beginning of script to end. more often than not they're shot out of sequence. They could easily have shot all the scenes with a bearded josh harnett first and then went back to shoot all the scenes of him without a beard afterwards.

That being said, I side with those who believe a beard is unnecessary. Its really not that hard to follow.

[–] ElectricKoolaidAcid 15 years ago

They could have had at least 1 or 2 of the 4 characters' hair grown/cut. It's pretty preposterous to assume they all had the EXACT same hairstyles 2 years later. Most films induce flashback scenes with a "whirl" sound or smoke or something, so that's why this movie was confusing.

I'm not gonna jump on the bandwagon of "I'm so smart because I understood the whole movie the whole way through!" There are many intelligent people who still get confused watching this flick. It's simple fact that the directors screwed up trying to make it artsy.

[–] youvegotyale 15 years ago

I would have changed the story into a legitimate thriller, with Lisa actually being murdered by her friend Alex who was infatuated with Lisa's boyfriend, Matt. As the film comes to a climax, Matt realizes everything and goes to confront Alex, but she's so mentally unstable that she ends up killing him during the heated confrontation. The film ends with Alex laying over his dead body, crying, as the camera pans to the broken compact mirror.

[–] secretagent00911 15 years ago

this would be a great idea for a completely different movie. but it would completely change the idea and fan base for this movie.

[–] susie_pip 14 years ago

I agree completely. People say that you just need to pay attention, but I did and I am not stupid and it still has me a little lost at times. I think just some subtle difference in their appearances ( like the beard idea) would make the film a whole lot more appealing to more people.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] stachogan 14 years ago

I'm still waiting to watch the original (it's hard to find!) but I didn't have much trouble.

First time I watched it I did miss the ending, but once it was over it was stuck in my mind, and I kept going over it to figure out when each part happened, which was part of the enjoyment....for me, anyway.

[–] nielsinho 13 years ago

For anyone who has a hard time following the plot, try and practise with films like Mulholland Drive, Memento, Inland Empire or Irreversible first. Then this movie will be piece of cake I believe.

[–] jamesl9 11 years ago

Well, the filmakers alreadydid something similar, they had Lisa's hair change. It was curly in the past and straight in the present.

[–] mdonln 10 years ago

I understand why some people might have trouble keeping up with Wicker Park but I love the movie and really enjoy the way the story is presented. I feel the format helps me relate to the uncertainty and anxiety the characters are experiencing; Matthew, as he attempts to uncover the mystery; and Alex, as she struggles to keep it hidden.

Having Josh wear a beard to distinguish between the past and present Matthew would completely defeat the purpose of this style of editing. In my opinion, it would be too obvious and completely unnecessary. It would likely also increase production costs; again unnecessarily. Besides, I feel there are things that indicate where they are in the storyline: the way Matthew is dressed is one indicator; the conversations the characters have is another. Also, when one of the characters flashes back it's used to explain elements of their storyline. The flashback also fills holes in the bigger picture. You have to pay attention.

[Note: I just watched the original French version, L'appartement, - the change in appearance is used for all the characters yet the back and forth nature of the film was not handled nearly as well. Overall, Wicker Park is a much better movie!]

In regards to 'close-misses and glances', I don't recall any that involved Lisa seeing or sensing Matthew. Throughout the movie, he was the one always thinking he sees her or senses her presence though he's never sure. Her close encounters come by way of missed calls; and being in the same places as Matthew but just prior to his arrival or just after he departs. Including the one very obvious moment at the end, Lisa never really 'feels' Matthew's presence; something else always triggers it.

This is not to say she isn't as in love or as in-tune with him as he obviously is with her. I just think by that point she had accepted the explanation she'd been given two years prior and had moved on. She was also very distracted with the fear of her most recent ex, Daniel. In fact, the only reason I think she attempts to reach Matt in response to his message was to retrieve her compact, a cherished gift from her grandmother. Matthew, on the other hand, never had any closure; he didn't have someone directly misleading him for those past two years so he was eager to reconnect with her in any way. The fact that he was in a sort of limbo about his current life also fueled his intense desire to see her and find out what happened.

Seriously, if anyone is still confused by the end of the movie, they should just watch it again. It's worth it!

[–] KaEight 9 years ago

Have Josh Hartnett grow a beard for the scenes filmed where he's Matthew in the present, and be clean shaven for the scenes in the past where him and Lisa dated.

There is no need for the beard. The movie is very easy to follow I am very surprised so many of you are having trouble with it. Already mentioned in the thread is: First, The way Matt dresses is different. In the past he is usually dressed very casually whereas in the future he is often seen wearing a suit. Second, All the scenes where he is with Lisa are past and the ones where he is looking for Lisa are future. Except for the last scene of course.

It would also explain the fact that Lisa didn't recognize him in their close-misses and glances.

There are close-misses, however there are no times that they glance at each-other and don't recognize each-other. There is the scene where Matt see's Lisa from behind at the restaurant. And the time where they both don't see each-other at the airport. A beard would not change anything simply because Lisa never see's him or glances at his face.

[–] 9 years ago

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