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The Lake House tells the story of Kate (Sandra Bullock) and Alex (Keanu Reeves). Two people destined to be together yet separated by two exact years of time and space. She’s a lonely, detached Dr. who can’t seem to find that special connection. He's a talented architect trying to find his destiny outside his famous fathers shadow. When they begin corresponding through a series of letters left in one very weird mailbox they find that even time can’t keep true love apart. Ok I know it sounds sappy and granted I went into this film with low expectations. I mean this thing has hallmark written all over it. I can see the WE channel salivating already for TV rights. But if I am honest, and I always try to be, this movie really isn't that bad and if you can get through it without thinking too much you might find a moving
and touching love story. If you are looking for a moving and touching love story. If you are looking for anything else then you might want to try another film.

I really should stop picking on poor Keanu. I think he's getting better as he ages. He’s 42 now. Did you know that? Crazy. Reeves play his part wonderfully and his character reminds me a lot of Noah in the Nicholas Sparks movie, The Notebook. He is quiet and rugged with an air of romanticism. He is dedicated to one woman. I woman he can’t have. But one he is willing to wait for as long as it takes. Bullock as well works well in this type movie. She is always believable. You pull for her. You like her. And here she is the perfectly frustrated girl who can have basically any guy she wants, but only wants the one guy she can’t have.

This film plays like a love song from the '70’s. It is very soft. In the writing, the acting, the lighting. Nothing is flashy or boisterous. The
characters flow together from one stanza to the next. Playing off one another nicely. I wasn't sure how the reunion of Reeves and Bullock would pan out. Remember 1994’s Speed? But it does nicely and I like them together. I believe they have both matured well and this could be a good direction for them.

Now lets talk about what doesn’t work in this film. For one, you can’t think about it too much. If you start asking the “whys, how’s and but if’s” then all of a sudden you realize that none of this could work. So you sort of have to go along with the dance. Keep moving to the rhythm without thinking about the steps. If you don't you start to trip yourself up and it falls apart. Plus the dialogue between the two characters is an issue. They are corresponding across a two year time warp and granted the writers and director had to come up with clever ways to do this so it did not just become the same monotonous loop. But at times they went a little too extreme and you lose the focus of what they are writing and it becomes only dialogue and loses the poetic nature. Lastly, it is a poster board for predictability. Even without thinking.

The Lake House is rated PG for some language and a disturbing image. It is the perfect Saturday afternoon girls day out film. Women of all ages will find it genuinely appealing. It is a truly wonderful love story created with style and class. And guys, if your woman drags you to this, go with the flow. You might find you have a softer side you didn't even know existed. With a journey to The Lake House, I’m Matt Mungle

The Mungle (6/13/06)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com"