Love Happens

Love has a broader definition than a mere boy-girl relationship, and Love Happens tags something different to the often romanticised topic. Aaron Eckhart plays Burke Ryan, an author who rose to instant fame with his book titled A-Okay!, which encourages others to overcome their grief of losing a loved one.

Arriving in Seattle to promote his self-help book and hold workshops that teach people to let go of their sorrow, the overnight sensation meets florist Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Aniston) by chance. In this meeting of providence, Burke falls in love with Eloise at first sight and rediscovers the courage to care for someone, something that disappeared since he lost his beloved wife in a car accident 3 years ago.

If you walked into the cinema thinking that you’re going to watch a brainless chick flick, you’re in for a surprise because it’s more than one of those cheesy “affairs of the heart” films. In fact, romance played only a small part for a movie with the word ‘love’ in its title, and a poster showing the lead characters lovingly press their foreheads together.

The development of the relationship between Burke and Eloise actually looked more like a side story, while Burke’s A-Okay! seminars and the process of healing for both the participants and Burke himself were mostly in the foreground.

If you’ve ever went through the passing of someone dear to you, if you’ve ever been left alone, if you’ve ever felt helpless about your life, you’d be moved to tears watching Love Happens.

The characters bring the audience on an exploration to feel what it’s like to confront the pain of being separated by the great divide, from someone close to their hearts. Be armed with your favourite brand of pocket tissues as Walter (John Carroll Lynch) shares why he was forced by his sister to attend the workshop, and how his life is turned upside down after his son Steven died.

Of course, there are pockets of lighthearted moments inserted between the sob stories to brighten the mood. Scenes like the one when Burke and the workshop participants hold up the busy city traffic by standing in the middle of the road, and voicing out what can be seen and heard around them will tickle you. A character by the name of Rocky will also amuse you with his antics and imitation of car alarms. And you’ll find yourself armed with random new vocabulary as you step out of the theatre.

However, on a realistic note, anyone who’d passed primary school level science would’ve noticed the logical gap and lack of flow in the plot. It was strange to see Eloise arguing intensely with Burke one moment, and then agreeing to a dinner date with him the next.

But if we can overlook that, this simple, slow-paced film can allow us to escape from the complicated reality where we undergo so much stress and push ourselves so hard just to make a living.

Release Details

Opens: Oct 29
Duration: 110 min
Language: English
Rating: PG (Some sexual references)
Genre: Romance
Director: Brandon Camp
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Martin Sheen, Dan Fogler, John Carroll Lynch