Tyler and Ally

Yes, a resounding yes.

Sometimes it’s nice to live under a rock, as I sometimes do. I haven’t read anything about the movie Remember Me. I saw some stalkarazzi photos of Robert Pattinson from the set and a few previews, which didn’t leave me clamoring for more, so I went into the screening room expecting about as much as I expect from a red vine…and I have to say, I was treated with a hot fudge sundae instead. Director Allen Coulter schooled me. It turns out Mr. Pattinson can really act, and I preferred him more here as Tyler Hawkins than as brooding Edward Cullen. (Gasp!) Plus, the story in this drama is really beautiful – I laughed, I cried, I related, I loved.

I am hesitant to give too much of the plot away –it’ll be all over the Internet undoubtedly, but I don’t like to be a big spoiler…ok, so I’ll make the last paragraph a wee spoiler for those who really want to know a little more. But for those who want to experience this flick for themselves, here are some things to know:

Tyler and Caroline

The story begins in 1991 and there’s an immediate sense of imminent danger as the Twin Towers loom in the background. The first five seconds of this movie are startling – DO NOT show up late. (This same feeling of looming tragedy shows up again, prodded on by the music and pace of the film.) Basically the story follows Tyler, a guy who’s “a bit lost” (in Robert’s words), who gets in the middle of a brawl, gets busted by a cop and decides to date the cop’s daughter in revenge. They fall in love, she has issues with her dad; coincidentally he has issues with his ga-millionaire dad; and they’ve both experienced tragedy, which has marked them (literally in Tyler’s case). Tyler lives with his best friend in a crappy apartment, goes to a coffee shop near Wall Street to write to his brother almost daily and works at the Strand bookstore while taking classes at NYU. Spun throughout are familial relationships – between siblings and children/parents. The relationship between Tyler and his younger sister Caroline (played by Ruby Jerins) is as real as it is precious—it makes you want to adopt a little sister for a week. “Ruby has something about her that is really easy to play off,” says Robert of his young co-star. “It’s quite nice being in a scene where you can just watch someone and be completely unaware that you’re in a scene.” Between the playful exchanges and the budding romance between Tyler and Emilie’s character, Ally, there is plenty of tension, but it moves.

The acting is stellar, and not just from Robert. Ruby is phenomenal – she’s also in Shutter Island so this pint-size actor is bringing in box-office bucks this month. And then there’s Pierce Brosnan, who has redeemed himself after the MMI (Mama Mia Incident—man that was awkward). But back to Robert. His American accent is flawless; he only broods once (phew); the boy looks good, but you don’t get lost in his cuteness—you’re absorbed more in his feelings; but I think I would’ve looked better in bed with him than pixie-sized Emilie de Ravin (woah, save it for the diary gurl.) He has proved his acting chops in this film, making him a bonafide bankable star. Every script for a young 20-something will now go to him before making the rounds to Zac Efron and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

Summit Entertainment (also the company behind The Hurt Locker and the Twilight movies) will bring in some money for this one (as will executive producer Robert Pattinson), as it/he should. It’s a touching story that delves into family drama, living in New York in 1991 and 2001 and is a searing reminder that life is so much better if you live it happily and lovingly, rather than angry and sour. Co-worker Lauren said she didn’t think her boyfriend would want to see it, but I told her quickly that it’s not a chick flick—guys will like this equally as well as gals.

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I won’t divulge the ending, but this movie takes place in N.Y.C. in the summer of 2001. And we all know what happens at the end of summer that year…that plays an integral role. It’s hard to watch. Very hard. Bring Kleenex.

Tags: Movies, Robert Pattinson

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 12:28 pm and is filed under art&music, celebrity&lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.