Love Happens 愛上妳，愛上我

Aniston's role is underwritten to the point that her character barely takes shape. The movie's only real emotion takes place on its fringes. The truest moments belong to John Carroll Lynch, playing Walter, a rugged contractor whose life unravels after the death of his young son. He's praiseworthy, the dissident in Burke's seminar, for refusing to play along with Burke's games, like walking over hot coals. Martin Sheen steals the show with the most human moment as Burke's tough-guy father-in-law who bares his soft side during the climactic assault on viewers' tear ducts.

The movie's so blunt in its greeting-card symbolism that Burke even has to rescue his wife's pet bird and let it fly free. There is also more product placement than sincerity in this film: Seattle sure looks nice and the trip to Home Depot to “cure” Walter with a shopping spree is both superfluous and distracting.

To its credit, this film attempts to leave behind traditional romantic comedy material with a more serious tone. Instead, “Love Happens” is a sober look at overcoming grief. But for all the lack of comedy, it really doesn't stray far from genre conventions.

Clichés abound, from the best mates' emotional support of Burke to the concluding sequence, featuring one of the cheesiest clichés there is: the melodramatic “slow clap.” This isn't just cheese, this is macaroni and cheese. No one takes the slow clap seriously anymore. The scene is meant to be serious, but you can't help but laugh. A lively, modern soundtrack and quirky supporting cast keep the film moving. The film's attempt at offering something different than a standard-issue light-hearted chick flick makes it at least a bit unique. But, ultimately, “Love Happens” left me unconvinced that it actually does.

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