I saw it for the first time as an inflight movie and caught a few minutes of it this weekend. I can't get over just how bad this movie is. Everything about it from the script to the casting to the ridiculous scenes with Susan Sarandon. I was secretly hoping that the movie would end up in a bloodbath.
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I agree!! I too thought it was awful. There was absolutely nothing realistic about it -- from that ridiculous "comedy" and tap dance routine by the widow at the memorial for the good old boy to that intricate road trip that appeared out of nowhere. I mean, when did she have the time to put that together? She was too busy throwing herself at that loser. Can we say desperation?
I thought the urn was the best actor in the bunch.
Awful! Awful! Awful!
Actually, I know people who act like that in real life. So, even though I thought it was ridiculously stupid (Susan Sarandon's part at the memorial), I also thought it was ridiculously hilarious. And I absolutely loved it.
You know, I honestly don't know how people can hate this movie so much. It was a cute, quirky movie - and that was exactly how it was supposed to come across to people. But, whatever. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.
"Women always complicate things." -Odysseus, Troy
That crazy family reminds me soooo much of my family, and I proud to be a part of it.
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Odd that all of these comments are from 2007 and I happen to be on this board the day after you comment 6 years later. I agree with your logic, even though I haven't seen the movie. I just looked it up because of a song I like on the soundtrack, Ryan Adams "Come Pick Me Up", and decided to check out the message boards.
shareIT`S A MOVIE...YOU KNOW...FICTION!!! IT DOES NOT NEED TO LOOK REALISTIC. Do you go and see the matrix and think "hmm that gun does not look realistic at all". Just lighten up and try to feel the vibe of it...not its realistic side.
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You're not serious with that comment, are you? Elizabethtown is a movie about people and situations that Crowe is asking us to identify with. It isn't a science fiction film, like "The Matrix". Yes, "E-town" is a movie but it also has to be grounded in reality. Your analogy doesn't work at all.
Grounded in reality being the key. Not actual reality. If it were actual reality it would be a documentary. So yeah, there is going to be a lot of ridiculousness.
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I totally and 100 percent disagree on a massive level. Everyone felt real. I mean the main character is a depiction of most people in their mid twenties. Desperately seeking success instead of focusing on the important things. And then realizing, usually, what they are when it's a little to late.
And the girl was weird and corky. She wasn't some deep beauty or terrible cliche, she was a mix of a lot of characteristics I see in myself and friends.
And she could have made the map throughout the week. They didn't show it because it would obviously reveal a large premise towards the end.
The road trip wasn't random either. It's not the movies fault if you didn't play close attention to the dialogue. They mentioned numerous times that the son didn't really spend time with his father in recent years, and that they were supposed to go on a road trip together. That was the thing he kept putting off with his father, and essentially in spirit at the end of the novel he took the road trip with his father.
And I loved the choice to find Claire or not at the end. The whole time the main character is trying to embrace what Claire is saying but he keeps coming back to the "fiasco" and his "ruined success." Choosing between going home and Claire had less to do about romance and more to do about life. About not putting things off. About finally choosing to not do the routine set out plan of what we're all "supposed to do" and simply to do what we really want to do. That's life.
I thought it was great.
And as far as desperation goes. She was a people person. She liked to talk and was trying to comfort him during a death. HE'S the one who called her. THEY both decided to talk and meet. Yes she surprised him but once again someone close to him died, it as a comfort. I mean the scene where she showed up you could see in his face how drained he was. He needed that break and outlet. That stranger to listen. I think it's something essential most people wish for during a time of grieving if they don't have it. I mean she's the one who left at the end.
And he's the one that chose to find her.
She was an opportunity he decided to take. She was never clingy. She was a friend. Clingy would have been throwing herself into sex or that kiss that she skipped out on.
And as far as the tap dance routine. Have you ever been to a huge country funeral. I unfortunately had to attend one for my cousin recently. Someone danced. I recited a poem. Some performed a song. It's not rare.
The only part that was honestly not reality centered was the bird that got lit on fire and the rain scene. But even then that was meant as a climax shift
I feel bad for those who didn't appreciate this movie.
I did not enjoy this movie either. I found it boring and very unrealistic.
I understand why people didn't like this movie compared to other Crowe flicks, but if you can grasp the theme of the movie, it's quite enjoyable.
Me personally, I think the theme was failure, but failing in the most spectacular way. We all fail sometime or another but if you make some out of that failure did you really?
just my two cents
I didn't like it much either, and I generally love Cameron Crowe's movies. There was just something about this film that insulted the viewer's intelligence. Just too many impossible things happening, plus it tried too hard on that road trip to tug at the viewer's heart strings. When Crowe does things honestly, with real people in real situations, like in "Fast Times" and "Almost Famous", he's the best. When he's not honest and tries to invent "quirky" characters like Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon in "Elizabethtown" or Chris Penn's character in "The Wild Life", he's wretched.
shareThis film definetely tried too hard.
shareIt's so funny how this movie has such a polarizing effect on people. Yeah, there were a lot of plot holes and unrealistic events [although I seem to remember posting elsewhere in this forum explaining how those could actually work]. I actually thought the dialog was pretty unrealistic too--it was more like a bunch of quotes, that tried too hard to be memorable, strung together. Yet somehow, it remains one of my favorite movies, and I think I have a pretty discerning taste. A little suspension of disbelief is necessary to enjoy it, and I think that's easier for romantics.
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painful, one of the worst i've ever seen - bloom and dunst were utterly dreadful, the direction was shocking. if i'd have paid to see this i would have been extremely p-d off.
shareI'm sorry but I have to laugh at anybody who comes and complains about a movie not being realistic. Is there such a thing? A realistic movie? The only ones I can think of are actually labeled "documentaries" and even some of THOSE aren't all that realistic. The purpose of a movie in my opinion is to escape reality and forget about it.
I thought the movie was great, well acted and well done. I especially enjoyed the road trip. I have driven those roads back and forth many times when I was a kid and so this was kind of a flashback for me.
I think Ebert has a good quote about unrealistic dialogue when he mentions that, when it is unrealistic, it is more about how the dialogue would be dreamed instead of actually said. You have to move outside yourself and reality (obviously) to try and appreciate it in this way. It's definitely awkward, but in the end it's memorable and leaves an impression, for better or for worse.
shareWords can't express how much I DON'T CARE
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I love Cameron Crowe's movies. Love Say Anything. Love Singles. Love Jerry Maguire. Love Almost Famous (Untitled, not the theatrical release), and actually liked Vanilla Sky. But this is a awful, awful movie. It tone deaf in every way. Things that are supposed to make you sad only annoyed me. The use of music (normally a CC strong point) was a distracting sledgehammer that drove whatever chance at subtlety a scene had into the ground. The shoe McGuffin? Why did they fail? Did I miss that ever being mentioned? Alec Baldwin forgetable in a bit role? The picture taking gimmick? The 42 hour syncronized mix-tape with accompanying scrap book? I know that CC writes movies based directly on his life, but why is the mom even in the movie? And the sister? And Ruckus? The only thing that was halfway right was the incredible influx of food and people in Elizabethtown. The madhouse of noisy children and casseroles. Anyway I can suspend disbelief with the best of them, but this one was off the charts bad. Its Cameron Crowe's 1941. His Howard the Duck. You get the idea. Maybe he will grow up a little because of this and write leads that are his age.
Wallace: "It's YOU!"
(Spoken to Feathers McGraw after he removes the red glove disguise.)
This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen in my life. The movie sounded like they grabbed every greatest hit they could find. And Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst trying to act didn't help. The most emotionless dialog I've ever heard. This movie was terrible.
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.
I totally agree with you!! Bloom and Dunst were TERRIBLE together! the only reason i stayed was because i was going to get ever bit of the $9.50 it took to buy the ticket! grr.. i just HATE this movie!
shareWell, everyone's entitled to their own opinions, so I'm not going to say anything...except that I really did like this movie - I may be one of the only people in the world that does, but I do.
Yes, there were many plotholes and unnecessary characters, but I still like it. I even agree about some of the dialogue - it seemed as if it was one quote strung after another. But, you know what? I honestly don't care. I can get passed all of that.
But, could you guys please enlighten about something: could you tell me when Orlando and Kirsten did horribly with their parts? Because I can't seem to find anywhere in the movie that they did - I actually think Orlando did better in this movie than he has in some of his others; he showed a lot of accurate emotions, which is something he lacks in some of his other movies.
By the way, considering the fact that the director and all the producers watch the scene after it's shot, have you guys ever stopped to think that maybe the director and the producers actually liked what Orlando and Kirsten did with their characters? If they didn't like or think it was done properly, then they would've had them do it again in a different manner. So, stop hating on Orlando and Kirsten; the director and the producers are the ones that you should really be blaming.
So, with all of that, I'm sorry all you guys thought it was THAT horrible of a movie. Jeez.
"Women always complicate things." -Odysseus, Troy
I agree with many of the things said by people in this post. This is an embarrassingly bad and poorly executed movie. For the people that immediately jump to type 'It's called the off button' or something else as incredibly witty, I must say that I actually did stick through to the end in the hope of seeing another scene as cringe-worthy as when Orlando Bloom is dancing around while on the phone to Kirsten Dunst or yelling 'Stop the cremation' in that 'hilarious' scene (one of many). This is truly Hollywood at its worst - and the film took itself so seriously!
shareI loved this film and thought the music was terrific. Extended families ARE like this from the awful brat who was causing trouble everywhere to the old folks wanting to share their old memories. Thought Kisten Dunst was great and only wish I had Bloom's looks! Hugely enjoyable , especially for romantics, but not a film for cynics....Well, I don't want every movie to end up like Carlito's Way or The Deer Hunter. Jeez - there's gotta be some laughs along the way and this film was one of them. Enjoy...
shareI thought this movie was great - it's cute, deep, light, funny, and I loved the unrealistic moments (especially the Freebird fiasco and the video with Rusty blowing up a house) I laughed, I was touched, I was inspired. Dunst and Bloom were great. Crowe's work continues to be my favorite.
sharejonnyboy, please add spoilers if you reveal info about OTHER films (e.g. bad ending). Thank you.
shareI loved this movie. I think it's fantastic.
shareI am so shocked at all the uptight old farts on this page. How can you hate this movie? How can it be the worst? You must not watch a lot of films.
And I thought it was really well acted. Especially Bloom. And especially how spot on his American accent was. Didn't falter once.
Loved it. All I have to say!
shareWords can't express how much I LOVED this movie. And I can't care less about what you "film experts" say, you won't make me change my opinion.
shareIm with you, this movie SUCKED big time, I hate it...I just can't stop thinking about those 2 hours I spent watching this crap and I didnt even pay for it.
That shoe company was the worst storyline in the history!! ugh!!