Movie Review: Happy Accidents

Story: You know that TV commercial that extols the virtues of 'two...two mints in one?' Well, that's what we have in Happy Accidents. Writer and director Brad Anderson (Next Stop Wonderland, Session 9) competently combines an appealing romantic comedy with an intriguing science fiction thought piece. Lots about the film borders precariously on the disastrous eye-rolling precipice, but Anderson's good direction and story save the day. Sam, who's fallen for Ruby, tells her he is a time traveler from the future and is destined to save her. What's a girl to do? Like any normal person she vacillates between wanting to believe this fabulous tale of time travel and at the same time is afraid she has fallen for a psycho. I liked the time - space - linear - circular - chaos theory - temporal loop themes. I tolerated the other stuff. For a summer film I was oddly charmed and entertained.

Acting: Marisa Tomei has finally gotten a role that shows her talent. She has had a string of incredibly bad parts since her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for My Cousin Vinny in 1992. Vincent D'Onofrio reminds me of a beefy Vince Vaughn. He is terrific as Sam the man from the future. He has a doughy charm to him.

Critters: A sweet Jack Russell terrier and a few other small dogs.

Food: Lots of food was ordered and delivered but none was eaten except for asparagus.

Visual Art: Some really bad paintings.

Blatant Product Placement: It takes place in NYC where blatant product placement is everywhere.

Soundtrack: An interesting blend of music from polkas to out of this world eerie stuff.

Opening Titles: Stark black and white. The opening sequence is in reverse and for a split second I had flashbacks of that wonderful film, Memento.

Theater Audience: An interesting blend of ages and gender. I am now a little obsessed with how and why people choose the seats they sit in, when in the cinema. I am always amazed that someone would choose to sit in the first row when there are so many other choices. I would be interested in knowing why and what your seat preferences are when you go to the movies.

Sappy Factor: 3

Quirky Meter: 4

Predictability Level: high (but I watch a lot of sci-fi and I love Star Trek).

Tissue Usage: 0 (but Marisa Tomei cries a lot).

Oscar Worthy: No (but I didn't think she deserved the Oscar for My Cousin Vinny either).

Nit Picking: Did I mention there is a narrator? Grrrrrrrr!

Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. But go see Memento in the movies. It is still playing in your local theaters.

Length: 110 minutes (in this temporal loop).

LOBO HOWLS: 6