The Lake House Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: Two people discover they can communicate across time and space by leaving letters at a house they both once owned.

Review: With such an innocuous title like "The Lake House," you might think for a second this could be a horror movie. However, it's chick flick month so you know what that means. First order of business, this is a remake of a Korean film called "Il Mare" which I will, of course, review as well. It was tricky deciding which one to review first since obviously "Il Mare" came first, but the Korean film is infinitely better, therefore, I want to spend more time comparing differences in that review (so stick around for that shit!). As for this film's particular merits...it's actually pretty good in its own right. I am a sucker for this kind of beyond time and space, cheesy romance, and "The Lake House" delivers the goods. Unfortunately, there is one, huge flaw: Sandy "World's Most Beautiful Woman(?!)" Bullock. Okay, okay, she's no Julia Roberts here on the hate meter. I don't mind Sandy as an actress, but her character, Kate, is such a little tease bitch that it practically ruins everything!

What works is the general premise itself. Trying to create a meaningful romance through storytelling is often difficult without adding fate along the way. Let's be real, most people want to feel like their romantic companion is somehow destined or that you're meant for one another. This is where light sci-fi/fantasy elements come into play to spice things up. We are never told what creates this bridge across space and time, but the way the story progresses makes you forget about that. Who knows, maybe it was the damn doggie causing everything. In fact, the movie should be called The Mailbox since that's what is really getting used, but that probably sounded retarded even on paper. Anyway...I like how the two connect through written correspondences since that gives it a timeless vibe. There is also a slow buildup which makes the resolution that much more satisfying when the two finally get together. Yes, of course the two, presumably, live happily ever after--I mean they did risk the destruction of the space-time continuum just to be together after all! I've already rattled on about Sandwich Bullock yet she does a decent job in her role. Keanu Reeves, as Alex, is okay too...I guess...better than his usual shenanigans that's for sure. The drama between the characters is the appropriate level without going overboard with the cornball antics. And, to the film's credit, there are a few ideas that do improve upon "Il Mare;" for example, the relationship between Alex, his dad, and the brother were well done, enhancing aspects left empty in the original.

While there is a lot to appreciate in the story, it's hard to ignore the negatives that drag down the experience. I'm not holding this against either film, however, you better forget trying to wrap your brain around how time works in this context. The amount of paradoxes in both entries are mind-blowing with "Il Mare" defying the laws of physics to boot. Again, I'm not holding this against either film since you just have to roll with the punches. Onward...the real pain in the ass is the Kate character annoying the hell out of me. She's not likable enough and is not worth waiting years to be with. She keeps getting back with her ex--using him really--and cheats with Alex in a way. Plus, she throws such a little tantrum when Alex doesn't meet up with her. She never even considers any possibility why he might not show up over the course of two years; she just automatically assumes he played her out. You idiot. But--the kicker for me--she makes zero effort to find Alex, expecting him to put in all the work all the while she keeps hooking up with her ex! My god, drop this skank like a sack of potatoes. Eun-ju in "Il Mare" is nothing like this at all. Come to think of it, this film is definitely targeting an older audience than the original. Both Sandwich and Keanu were in their 40s when this came out. In "Il Mare" the characters are supposed to be early to mid-twenties, and Eun-ju, played by Ji-hyun Jun, was actually only 18 in real life when it released. Make of that what you will...

The key to properly enjoying this film is to ignore any glaring time paradoxes, and, somehow, not being totally annoyed with the Kate character. The sci-fi/fantasy plot line adds much needed oomph to the story that allows even a horror fan like me to enjoy it. Sure, it's nowhere near the best romance out there, but it gets the job done for the most part. Had they toned down a bit on the melodrama, or played up different plot lines, this could have been as good as the source material. Regardless, I think this is one of the better date movies that won't be too hard to sell to your boyfriend, husband, lover, stalker, voyeur, pillow you clutch each night, etc. However, the important caveat is that the Korean version is significantly better, and I'd strongly suggest watching that instead even if you're vehemently opposed to subtitles for whatever reason.

Notable Moment: When Keanu performs that horrifically bad sneeze. Acting, Keanu...acting....unless you were going for comedy. In that case, you succeeded admirably.

Final Rating: 6/10