Elizabethtown

November 6th 2005.

AMC Manchester.

On the face of it, this film is similar in theme to Garden State (lost 20-something returns to small American hometown after the death of a parent and meets an attractive young woman). However, the two films are not particularly similar, with Garden State being by far the superior.

The main flaw in the film is that it tells us the story, rather than showing us it (running contrary to the adage “show, don’t tell”). We see the protagonists fall in love via montage, so it’s difficult to believe their relationship. Orlando Bloom basically plays the role as John Cusack would, but Cusack would’ve been much better (and believable, which Bloom often isn’t). Kirsten Dunst is always watchable, but is let down by a weak script. Overall, quite disappointing given that Elizabethtown is a Cameron Crowe film.