Juliet, Naked

Tonight I saw Juliet, Naked, starring Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke.

British Annie (Byrne) is in a relationship with Duncan (Chris O'Dowd) who is obsessed with Tucker Crowe (Hawke), a washed up American independent singer/songwriter who hasn't released music in decades.

A rare piece of music by Tucker surfaces and Duncan is overcome with excitement. Annie, fed up with the fandom, writes a scathing review in response to Duncan's enthusiasm and gets a reply ... from Tucker himself. Soon the two are corresponding via email and developing a friendship. And Duncan has his sights on a colleague.

So the story follows Annie's odd love triangle and Tucker's complicated life while we are treated to a lighthearted, yet oddly meaningful journey that's quite believable. The three leads are perfectly cast and the supporting players who act as the colleagues, siblings and children of the leads are a welcome addition.

What's more, Ethan Hawke does his own singing as the character, so it's fun to hear him exercise yet another creative talent.

Immersed in a few "super-fan" music communities myself, I found Duncan's character very relatable (and truthfully it helped to laugh at his behavior). He's more realistic than some may assume, and he plays it beautifully.

You should go see this. It will make you smile.

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Bridesmaids

This morning I saw Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne.

Though it's tempting to compare the film to all of its male counterparts, I'll refrain from doing so because while it may have similar scenarios, it's definitely its own comedic beast.

The trouble begins when Lillian (Maya Rudolph) tells her best friend Annie (Wiig) that she is engaged.

The two have been BFFs since childhood, so naturally Annie is chosen to be her Maid of Honor, and naturally Annie represents the typical, pathetic, Single White Female who is incapable of having a successful relationship, etc.

Of course nothing is going Annie's way: the man she's sleeping with treats her terribly, she hates her job, has obnoxious roommates and a crappy car. If I hadn't been a similar version of Annie in real life just a few short years ago (I had everything but the roommates), I wouldn't have believed her. But having been there, I get that life can be that sad.

Enter Helen (Byrne), an equally miserable, yet undeniably gorgeous, wealthy married woman who is threatening to steal Lillian away from Annie amidst the grand plans for the wedding.

It's all highly predictable (women behave like women and back-stab each other until someone's asked to leave), but that doesn't mean that it's not enjoyable.

With the exception of a completely unnecessary food poisoning scene, most of the laughs you'll get from the film are quite original. The presence of Mike and Molly's Melissa McCarthy as Megan, sister of the groom, adds a tremendous spark to the ensemble and the added bonus of Chris O'Dowd as a police officer who keeps running into Annie is also a joy to watch. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a good Jon Hamm sex scene?

I scratched my head at the Wilson Phillips inclusion (didn't these SNL girls see Spring Breakdown, a film starring OTHER SNL girls who used the same song?), but do admit to tearing up just a little in the end.

It really is a fun, hopeful film for all the single ladies. And I bet that guys will laugh too.

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