Stuck in Love

by Sarah

 

"I remember that it hurt. Looking at her hurt." This was the first phrase to fly from anyone's lips in the underrated movie, Stuck in Love (2012). Directed and written by Josh Boone, the story follows a family that all have their own take on love. High schooler Rusty (Nat Wolff) crushes on this girl he refers to as an angel from afar in his English class; college girl Sam (Lily Collins) refuses to fall in love and would rather live without getting close to anyone; Bill, their father, (Greg Kinnear) holds tight into his promise to his ex-wife that he'd wait for her, a promise that was made before she ever left; Erica (Jennifer Connelly) is the mother that has lost touch with her daughter and isn't sure of the choice she made to leave.

While the film follows multiple characters in lives that intertwine like the well-known movie, He's Just Not That Into You, it's less of a cruddy chick flick that the middle-aged housewives swoon over and is instead realistic and has an actual plot with depth and character. Aside from that, for all the music lovers out there, Boone made sure to please the ears with the soundtrack that accompanies the well-thought-out movie.

The characters experience several twists of fate, good and bad, whether it be through the writing careers that 3/4 of the family members have or the developing relationships through the other people in their lives. Toward the beginning of the movie, Bill tells Rusty that writers are the sum of their experiences, so he advises him to get out more and truly live to help his creativity flow. He takes the advice, and his story follows the results of that decision. When Sam meets a fellow classmate and gets a book published at a young age, her life and viewpoints in life have the potential to change. Then, of course, the parents have their own issues: their own personal conflicts and the relationship between the two of them.

 

Personally, I’d award this movie a 4.5/5. There was very little I could find wrong with considering upon writing this it’s my third time watching and adoring the movie. I’m trying to pick out a flaw from the movie, but I literally. can’t. find. one. Because of this, I’d honestly give the movie the full five stars it deserves, but then most people would believe that I was exaggerating or that my taste is just mediocre because this movie isn’t a classic like The Godfather. Oh, the struggle.

Due to the R rating, I of course have to at least mention that it’s not necessarily meant for audiences younger than 17, but it’s truly not heavy in sexual activity, violence, or strong language, but it does include some. You have been forewarned.

Revisiting the personal opinion aspect of this article, I may be slightly biased with my love for the movie considering my desire to be a published fiction author and that’s exactly what a few of the characters accomplish. Plus, it involves numerous references to the ever-so-talented author, Stephen King, who is best known for his novels in the horror genre. You’ll see his books laying around, being held, discussed, and being treated by the precious gems that they are (except by Sam, who says that her “idiot brother” is the one who’s the fan). As someone who’s writing a seven page paper on the man for her English class, you could say that these things were considered huge bonuses to me.

If you want to experience a film that’s truthful, emotional, humorous, and laced with wonderful tunes, this movie is more than likely for you. I’m not going to promote just watching it for free instead of searching for a DVD that you’ll have to spend, ya know, actual money on, but… Hint hint, nudge nudge. Plus, it’s on Netflix instant que, so I don’t understand why you’re still on this site and not getting cozy in front of your laptop screen as the movie kicks on. Hm. Change that, then get back to me. Merry watching, folks.

Credit to photo and cast names: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2205697/?ref_=nv_sr_1&licb=0.8163524048868567