Like Crazy: The Re(al) - view

Anna: I thought I understood it, that I could grasp it, but I didn't, not really. Only the smudgeness of it; the pink-slippered, all-containered, semi-precious eagerness of it. I didn't realize it would sometimes be more than whole, that the wholeness was a rather luxurious idea. Because it's the halves that halve you in half. I didn't know, don't know, about the in-between bits; the gory bits of you, and the gory bits of me.

Before I begin this review there are two things I would like you to understand about Like Crazy; first, the budget for this 'beauty' was $250,000 and, second, (and quite unbelievable) it was shot with a Canon EOS 7D DSLR camera. The entire film!

Canon EOS 7D DSLR 

When you take a really small budget (not 'Paranormal Activity' small) and a director (Drake Doremus) who had personal affiliations with the plot of the film - it's based on the relationship with his now ex-wife, a hand-held camera and really good acting; you come up with the 2011 Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner - Like Crazy.

This is a film that was shot without a script, which meant a lot of improvisation from the various actors and it turned typical Hollywood romances on its head by simply 'keeping it real' the entire time, with the highest praises going out to the main characters, Anton Yelchin as Jacob Helm and Felicity Jones as Anna Gardner, both who displayed a very deep chemistry on camera. And this maintained the film's 'realist' status.

The plot is quite simple, a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin), they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa. And they face the challenges of being apart, portrayed in a very sad and emotional way. This is a film that at times may seem unbelievable till you realise that you possibly did the same (or worse, in some cases) in your relationship(s).

The supporting cast were also wonderful, especially Jennifer Lawrence (who had just finished Winter's Bone), Oliver Muirhead and Alex Kingston. There were really good performances all round the film.

This is a film that explores the depth of young love and the way we may go overboard in it, it explores the excitement and emotion that make it a beautiful experience. I loved it!

Opened: October 28, 2011 Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min. Genre: Romance, Drama Rated: 12

PS: 'Dead Hearts' by Stars (the song playing at the end was a really good way to end it).