DVD : Addicted To Love [1997]

Rating: - There's no way to talk yourself out of 'dumped.'
As the title of this review indicates, this is one of the lessons they don't teach in school, and this is precisely what the film explores. Once the realization has been made that there is no way to return to the way things were, then the anger sets in, and in the case of this film the bar is continually raised by the two protagonists on ways to exact vengeance, to entertaining - and possibly cathartic - effect for the viewer.

It is wittily written, smoothly directed and edited, lovely to look at and features a camera obscura. It is also one of the most European films I have ever seen come out of America - definitely to its credit. It is dark and light in all the right places and the actors (particularly Karyo, who is always a pleasure to watch) are right on form. Much has been made of the treatment meted out to "poor Anton," yet no one is entirely innocent in this film. That is one of its liberating joys.

All in all, one of the more important comedies of the 90's.

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Rating: - I'm the milkyway man!
This is a fantastic film and I can't understand why it's got such mixed reviews. I've watched it several times and am still to tire of it.

Matthew Broderick plays Sam, a helpless romantic who's in love with Linda, (Kelly Preston). One day Linda decides to take a job offer in New York where she will stay for 3 months. Sam is unhappy about it but supprots Linda and eagerly awaits her return. On the day of her expected arrival however, Linda's father turns up with a letter from Linda saying that she's staying in New York and that things are over between them.

Distraught, Sam flies to New York straight away only to find that Linda is living with a frenchman called Anton. Sam shacks up in a derelict building opposite the couple's apartment and spies on them, waiting for the right moment to approach Linda and beg for her to take him back. Enter Meg Ryan as Maggie, Anton's ex-fiancee who wants nothing more than revenge.

The unlikely pair team up to break up their ex's with hilarious resluts. There's some real slapstick stuff here but more than that there's a new relationship forming between Maggie and Sam. This film isn't too soppy, but soppy enough to make you smile. If you like Meg Ryan it's definitely worth the watch. If you like rom/coms in general you should love this. Buy it used and you will have a bargain.

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Rating: - Meg Ryan dishes the cutie pie image
Sam (Matthew Broderick) is a placid astronomer who travels to NYC to win back the affections of his girlfriend, Linda. She has just left him for another man, throwing him into a chaotic state of mind. Finding her apartment house, Sam camps out at the vacant, tumbledown building across the street. He finds he has an excellent inside view of her apartment, due to a large picture window. Soon after, Maggie (Meg Ryan) joins him in his abode. It seems her ex-fiance Anton is the man living with Linda and Maggie is determined to wreak havoc in his life. After setting up a sound system, the peeping duo can even hear the apartment's conversations! Will Sam succeed in getting his girlfriend back while Maggie is messing up the life of her former love?

This funny premise translates into a humorous, enjoyable film. Anton and Linda are sitting ducks as the jilted pair formulate ways to undermine their happiness as a couple. Broderick and Ryan give lively performances that are amusing and, at times, touching. The ending may be predictable but is nonetheless satfisfying. Fans of romantic comedies will consider this one a fine addition to their list while non fans may relish the dastardly deeds of Maggie and Sam.

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Rating: - black and occasionally blue
Although not a commercial success, Amazon's reviewer could not be more wrong about this. This is a fab little movie, very un-Hollywood in its cruel charm and brave for someone like Ryan to even attempt given her status as the queen of feelgood romcoms.

Hilarious in parts with some truly great lines ('The only way she's going to be with you is if a spurt of semen projected her across the street and through your window!')and charming performances from the main leads including the excellent Tcheky Karyo (last seen in Luc Besson's 'Nikita')

But this is Ryan's movie and suggests a far broader range of comedic skills than most people give her credit for. Watch it on a Sunday afternoon and feel better about the week ahead

OK, so I'm crazy about her...does it show? ;-)

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Rating: - No real surprises or chemistry
Stick in the mud Sam (Matthew Broderick) stays home while his, looking for life, Linda (Kelly Preston) goes to the big city and is seduced by a French restaurateur (Tchéky Karyo). Naturally Sam gets the courage to recover his lost love and is detoured by her flamboyant affair. So he plots and plans to get her back using devious methods. Inter a mysterious intruder Maggie (Meg Ryan). Looks like Frenchie has an ex with the same intention as Sam.

*** Be ware of girls bearing straw berries ***

Will they get their Loves Back?
Will they want them?
What else could possibly happen?