Friday 21 November 2014

Say When (2014)

Starring: Keira Knightley, Sam Rockwell, Chloe Grace Moretz
Directed by: Lynn Shelton
Written by: Andrea Seigel
Genre: Comedy, drama, romance
Rating: 15

Although consistently brilliant and always captivating, Keira Knightley has been stuck in a rut of tight corsets and pursed lips for years now. Don’t get me wrong, she excels, but here, in a different light as 28 year-old ‘floater’ Megan, Knightley embodies a much more relaxed and relatable role, proving that she is a hell of a lot more than the elegant and regal character we have grown to associate her with.


After settling for a high school boyfriend and avoiding important job decisions whilst her best friends move on with life and grow up, Megan faces a ‘quarter-life crisis’, and so moves in with troubled but cute teenager Annika (Moretz) and her hot lawyer Dad (Rockwell), just for a week to get her head together. The plot is a little questionable if not implausible, but for the most part, this film is earnest and pretty fun, mixing quirky wit with sentiment to create the right balance of comedy drama.

Knightley is gawky and clumsy here, however it is a refreshing change as she reverts back to her Bend It Like Beckham days, tackling the role of the cool, chilled tomboy extremely well. The chemistry between her and rising star Moretz is unbeatable and very sweet to watch, but it is the down-to-earth scenes with Rockwell that really shine. He is wonderfully endearing, delivering both elements of loveable Dad humour and sexy love interest in a way that allows the audience to see him honestly in both lights.

Perhaps Shelton’s kooky flick is a little dull in parts, and taking a nap half way through wouldn’t exactly mess up your understanding of this predictable tale, but it is harmless fun and will no doubt make you smile. With very watchable performances from an outstanding cast, and a unique script that induces many giggles, Say When is one of those movies guaranteed to make you feel all lovely and nice - perfect for a lazy afternoon with a mug of tea.


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