Lovers separated by a two year time difference. That really doesn’t sound possible, and frankly, if anyone tried to explain this to me, I would be the first to call the loony bin. This is the premise of “The Lake House.” After seeing trailers for this movie, I was very curious about how this was possible and how it was executed. So despite all the negative feedback I heard about the movie, I watched it. And you know what? I enjoyed it.
Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Kate Forster, a lonely doctor in the year 2006. Keanu Reeves plays Alex Wyler, a frustrated architect in the year 2004. When Kate moves out of her lake house, she leaves a note to the future tenant asking them to forward any mail which should arrive at the lake house by mistake. Instead, the note is received by the former tenant, Alex Wyler.
Yes, the lovers are connected by a magic mailbox.
This movie is far from perfect. Because of the time difference, the viewer is left with many questions besides the obvious, “What is so special about this mailbox?” For instance, there are several occasions where the lovers are talking to one another. At first you assume they are reading their letters aloud, but the listener can tell by the context of the conversation that it is definitely not written… so can they now hear each other via the magic house? Further, some of these occasions occur when the characters are not even near the house, seeing as Kate moved out of it when they met. Are they now telepathically connected?
This film is far from what we are used to from Keanu Reeves. This is a certified chick flick, despite lines from Alex which sound straight out of a sci-fi thriller: “May I remind you, you are my only connection to the future.” That comment sounds like it is more likely to be found in “The Matrix” than in a chick flick.
To all the naysayer’s: What were you expecting? “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” Part 2? This is a thought provoking chick flick that requires constant attention to fully understand. Nothing more.
For the intellectual, this film brings up the idea of fate and destiny. One frequently sees characters that embody the ability to affect other’s future.
If you’re not into the chick flick scene, you might want to pass up on “The Lake House.” But if you want to see another sweet ‘lovey-dovey’ romance, “The Lake House” is definitely something to consider.
Leave a Reply