Why, Cameron, why? That’s what continued to run through my
brain as I exited the theatre this weekend after screening Cameron Crowe’s
latest, Aloha. How could everything, that looked so amazing on paper, have gone
so horribly, horribly wrong? But sadly, it did.
I really wanted to love this movie, because I love Cameron
Crowe. I think that, for the most part, he’s an amazing filmmaker and I’m
always interested in whatever he’s doing next. And yes, I am one of those
people who really liked Elizabethtown and I will totally defend it against all
of you naysayers! Was it perfect? No, but it was at least watchable, unlike his newest, Aloha.
This film suffers from an acute identity crisis. Is it a
romantic comedy? A family drama? An international spy thriller? I honestly
don’t think anyone, least of all Cameron Crowe, knows because this film tries
to be all of these things and ends up a jumbled mess. The 3 story arcs that
make up the plot of the film have absolutely nothing to do with one another,
other than the fact that they are meant to show the growth of Bradley Cooper’s
character, and honestly, by the time we get to the end, no one really cares.
Now, there are things to like about this film. First and
foremost, the cast is amazing. It’s such a shame that they are utterly wasted
in a forgettable film. Bradley Cooper has made a career playing the flawed hero
and here, he doesn’t disappoint. While his character isn’t exceptionally well
fleshed out, he brings enough to it that you kind of want to see him win. Emma
Stone is fantastic, as always, as the neurotic, but likeable love interest. Her
character would have benefited from a bit more fleshing out as well, although
overall, this is a small quibble as she does get plenty of screen time. I think
her character fell victim to a brutal final edit. Rachel McAdams shines in what
little she is given, but honestly, John Krasinki steals the show in an
understated and subtle, yet highly memorable performance.
Ultimately, this film just tries too hard, and ultimately
crashes and burns. I think that if Crowe had eliminated one of the story arcs
(those that have seen the film probably know which one I’m talking about) and
focused on the other two, this would have been a pretty special film. There are
touches of that Cameron Crowe brilliance, including the final scene of the film
which is so stunning and heartfelt it will bring a tear to your eye, but
overall it just doesn’t work. And I really, really, really wanted it to work.
When the first thought out of your head is, I wonder what someone like David O.
Russell could have done with this film, you know you’re in trouble.
Aloha 2/5
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