JOIN USLove, Rosie
English (A)
Cast: Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, Tamsin Egerton, Suki Waterhouse, Jaime Winstone
Director: Christian Ditter
Can platonic relationships work? Love, Rosie by Christian Ditter seeks to tackle this tricky theme. However, the problem with this mushy rom-com — based on Irish writer Cecelia Ahern’s Where Rainbows End — is that it turns proffering than engaging.
The film starts on a promising premise. Two besotted pals — Alex Stewart and Rosie Dunne — ripe and raring in their first flush of youthful exuberance, believe they are made for each other, but stumble at every opportunity to prop the poser.
When Alex loses his virginity with Bethany, Rosie loses hers with hunky Greg at the prom. Only that Rosie gets pregnant.
Here was Alex, in distant Boston, in touch with Rosie, over Skype, instant messaging and SMS, living his life to the fullest. Back home, Rosie, having decided to kiss her Boston dreams bye, plunges into single motherhood as daughter Cathy turns her life’s sunshine.
Though basking in their respective newfound status, both Alex and Rosie yearn for each other’s company. But that’s not to be. Contrived circumstances see Alex (now Godfather to Cathy) and Rosie failing to express their true feelings.
And the film turns typical mush.
Flitting between two contrasting social situations — the US and the UK — Love, Rosie had all going for it, but it fails in exploring relationships and affections.