Love Happens Review

Messages: The main messages seem to be about moving past grief toward acceptance. This is an important take away not only for those who are grieving but to anyone who has experienced disappointment.

Role models: Burke functions as a positive role model by motivating others to help themselves heal. Although he doesn't help himself until the end of the movie, he has a selfless need to propel his grieving clients to move forward with their lives. Eloise has a fiery personality. She owns her own business, which she says was a dream come true, and she tries to help Burke.

Violence: Conversations about how loved ones died in accidents and of sickness.

Sex: Although there's only one big kiss in the movie, the dialogue contains sexual innuendo and several references to dating and relationships, with comments like "did you get laid?" and "either head of yours" etc. Eloise also discusses her ex-boyfriend's infidelity, and a widow talks about how she made a mold of her husband's "you know" so that they could "you know" even after he died. At a poetry slam, people recite poems about "phalluses" and sex.

Language: Fairly regular use of words like "s--t," "ass," "hell," "damn," and "bitch," as well as "stupid," "pissed off," "oh my God," etc. One character always says his name as "Lane 'Goddamn' Marshall."

Consumerism: Apple products are on display in a few scenes -- Macbook, desktop computer, and iPod -- as well as Grey Goose vodka, which is Burke's signature drink.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Burke drinks (vodka, mostly) regularly, especially before his seminar talks. Adult characters drink in bars and restaurants and in one scene smoke from a hookah pipe at a Middle Eastern bar.