Photo Credit: Grizzly Bomb

Disclaimer: This is not a review full of spoilers. Here I will only offer my thoughts and recommend it based on certain criteria. You must watch the movie for yourself and enjoy it in all of its pure, unfiltered, brand new glory.

Before I saw it about two weeks ago, I had wanted to see Like Crazy for what felt like the longest time. Ever since the poignant, artistic, and intriguing trailer, the movie’s been on my running “To Watch” list. Because the trailer revealed the innately heart-wrenching plot line and depressing soundtrack, I knew I’d be in for a tear jerker. What I didn’t know was how brilliant and avant-garde the film actually is. After some fact-checking, I discovered that the rumor was true: the acting follows no script. That’s right – the actors improvised nearly the entire film. The director gave Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin a 50-page outline with plot points of the relationship and thus, total liberty to delve into the fictional relationship and characters.

So one day I finally opened up Netflix and streamed the 90-minute film, the winner of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize and eight other awards, and nominee of three prestigious awards. I did not expect to become as emotionally invested or impressed by the film as I was. While I admit that at times it felt slightly slow and I worried that it wouldn’t pick up, in the end it did – but not in the traditional sense. Like Crazy is definitely not an upbeat, quick, hackneyed, typical Hollywood film by any means. It’s artsy, unique, and realistic. It touches you in a way that very few romantic films do: subliminally, quietly, slowly. While watching it I felt as though I were in the relationship. It depicts relationships, long-distance in particular, in such an accurate and genuine way that erases all viewer awareness.

Yes, I felt pangs of sadness and empathy for the main characters during the film. But no, I did not sob. It’s not a tragic film. It’s not a devastating film. It’s not a life-changing film. It’s realistic and relatable, which is why I loved it so much. In many ways, it reminds me of 500 Days of Summer: funny, raw, innocent, melancholic, memorable. I know many people argue that the ending is ambiguous and up to interpretation, but I disagree. For me, it’s pretty clear and the part that evoked the most emotion out of me.

Bottom line: I recommend this movie to everyone, regardless of age or relationship status. If you’ve seen it, please leave me a comment because discussing Like Crazy is one of my new favorite hobbies.

Name: Like Crazy

Year: 2011

Actors: Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence

Rating: 5/5