OK for kids 15+
Moving look at the highs and lows of first grown-up love.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this is a beautiful love story about two twentysomethings who meet in college but soon have to navigate a relationship separated by oceans and diverging life paths. Couples are shown (bare shoulders, kissing) and heard (some moans) in intimate moments, but there's no graphic nudity; the movie seems more interested in the feelings between the lovers: how they grow, confuse, distance. There's also some swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k") and mature themes (infidelity and some tricky immigration muck-ups, for instance), as well as a fair amount of social drinking. Characters do discuss cutting back on alcohol, and there's a talk about safe sex.
- Families can talk about Anna's and Jacob's relationship. Is it a healthy one? How does it change over the course of a movie? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values when it comes to sex and relationships.
- How does the movie depict sex? What about drinking? Are there realistic consequences for both?
The good stuff
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Messages: The movie posits that you shouldn't shy away from a relationship simply because it's too complicated, because then you'd miss out on all the wonderful things it teaches you: how to relate to someone else who might be quite different from you, how to resolve arguments, the importance of clear and honest communication. It also says that you can accomplish a lot with enormous support from family members.
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Role models: Anna and Jacob are very human; they make mistakes and they inadvertently hurt others. But they're also very kind and compassionate and are trying to be their best selves as best they can in a difficult situation. Anna's parents talk to her honestly (even about sex) and allow her to be her own person.
What to watch for
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Violence: Some loud arguing.
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Sex: In some scenes, couples are shown clearly having sex (moaning and groaning, etc.), but the camera focuses on their faces rather than other body parts. Also plenty of kissing and making out. An discussion between a young couple and the girl's parents about safe sex.
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Language: Infrequent use of words including "s--t" and "f--k," plus "oh my God."
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Consumerism: Some labels/products shown, including the iPhone and the board game Balderdash. Whisky brands are mentioned.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: A fair amount of social drinking in bars, clubs, and restaurants. Some characters fancy themselves as whisky connoisseurs, and they partake of different labels. Two characters discuss living a healthier lifestyle and cutting down on their drinking.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
leaves you wanting more by graceme100
i get the artsy fartsyness of the movie, i do, i really do BUT sometimes being so artsy can work against you. in this case this movie leaves you wanting more then what you get. the camera angles, the grittyness, the storyline all work, the character development and angst all work it's is just the end that did not for me. if i wanted to guess what happens i'd read a choose your own adventure book.
1
Not a Feel Good Movie by chaucertale
Spoiler alerts**. I hate writing this because I love these actors. But don't go to this film if you are looking to feel uplifted by the story of a young couple whose love survives all obstacles. The problem is that you stop rooting for the lovers because they stop rooting for themselves. I do not fault the actors. They all give realistic and honest performances. At the outset you want to root for the couple because they do seem truly in love--soulmates. But after a visa problem keeps them separated, they become emotionally separated by life, work and other love interests. Even marriage to each other does not resolve their problems. And they each enter into extra-martial affairs when work forces them to live on separate continents again. Other love interests are hurt and cast aside and Anna leaves a great job to finally join her husband. But sadly by the time they are together they are so emotionally beaten you leave the theater certain that their love will not last.
4
Great Movie - not for everyone, though by richmondagent
I saw this movie with my three daughters. I and the older two liked it. The younger one (15) didn't like it. There is not a lot of action or dialogue in this move. It is all about the emotions between the two main characters that is shown via the filiming. This movie definately deserves awards for the cinemetography and editing! Very interesting movie. It is more cerebral than most mass release films and will not appreal to those who want to have entertainment shoved down their throat. Instead of "wathcing" this move, you sort of "absorb" it. Th
2
Don't know what all the hype is about by Lovemovies63
I went to this movie because of all the buzz it's been getting, and my best friend saw it at Sundance and it was one of her favorites. I was totally disappointed. It's so slow and disjointed, and I failed to ever see the "crazy love" the couple was suppose to have. Like other fan reviews, both characters quickly get involved in other relationships (serious ones, at that), which makes you question how deep and crazy their love for each other really was. I hated the ending. Also, as other reviews said, the man in front of me walked out, and I was almost tempted to the same, but I was hoping and waiting for it to take off, and live up to all the hype. Unfortunatley, it never did, and I feel "Like Stupid" for watching it.
2
You're "Like Crazy" If You Spend Money To See This....... by Alon Patterson
Credit where it's due, the young talent here does a fine job of trying to make something of the biggest nothing of a screenplay since "Benchwarmers," a very bad and forgettable comedy. If you're one of those who panned the romance "Emma" last year, then boy oh boy are you going to hate this film even more, not that "Like Crazy" is even remotely as good. It's slow...VERY slowww***.....So much so, you'd be well advised to see it in daytime, thereby having a much more difficult chance of falling asleep. Skip this one and take your nap at home for free. You'll be glad you did.
5
Incredibly Realistic by apinkjo
It was a great movie, super realistic. I felt like every scene could have happened to anyone. It was very relatable, very raw and powerful. Bittersweet.
1
You must be like crazy to see this movie! by Aunt_Jackie
This movie is ridiculous. Waste of money and 2 hours I'll never get back. Was so flat, the acting, the storyline, just everything. Evoked no emotion in me but laughter where I dont think the director wanted us to be laughing. Pass!
5
I love this movie LIKE CRAZY! by bgabela
Was lucky enough to go to a pre-screening of this film... it was amazing! A low-budget indie romance/drama and a very realistic look into a long distance relationship. The best part of the film was definitely the fantastic acting... both Anton and Felicity delivered great performances, and that alone is worth seeing. but reminder... this is NOT a romantic comedy! so don't go in the theatre expecting one.
2
Forgettable characters and horrible continuity by vamoviefan
If there was a reason why these two - who are 12 going on 30, or maybe the other way around - fell for each other, I still don't know what it was. If there was a reason why they kept getting back together, I still don't know what that was, either. If there were any two scenes in a row where the male lead's hair and beard were the same, I'm very surprised. This movie's only an hour and a half long, but seemed much longer. That may be why so many people gave up and walked out during the showing we saw. As we left, my girlfriend observed that this movie was perhaps trying to be "Love Story," but added that she wouldn't have cared if one of the leads in "Like Crazy" had died. I laughed out loud, then agreed with her!
3
Missing Passion, Desire, Need
I was so excited about this film. It has the main elements that make a movie great. But it's missing the excitment and passion that lives in a relationship such as this. The film is too much in between a romantic blockbuster and an indie flick. It's neither.
Emotions aren't dramatized here, which is the main thing that was missing for me.
The story is beautiful, but the pull into the i love you/i can't live without you relationship is completely missing.