A Lot Like Love (2005) User Reviews (186)

Reel Love: a Lot Like Real Life

[Half_the_Audience · 7/10 · 14 May 2005]

Perhaps this film won't inspire the twenty-something folks at whom it was marketed. They might not appreciate its message, after all, when you're young, life stretches out before you like an eternity. But if you're over 30 and haven't found that perfect person to share your life with, it might really touch you...

This is the most romantic movie I have seen in years. As a regular armchair film critic who happens to love romantic comedies but finds the quality of most to be sorely lacking, I usually start to gnaw away at a film within the first five minutes. But A Lot Like Love immediately embarks on a tortuous journey of love's most confounding mileposts. The fireworks, the mystery, the seduction, the retreat... A guy who wants to get "all his ducks in a line," and a gal who deals with whatever happens to come her way, help each other loosen up their respective rigid perspectives on how life should be lived.

The chemistry between Oliver and Emily percolates over a span of nearly seven years but neither lets it come to a full boil lest it ruin their plans. Kutcher and Peet each deliver endearing performances and actually play against the urge to gratuitously combust making for just the right emotional veracity and sexual tension to keep it real. No "just add water" instant love here. These two take their time to fall into the soup.

This film is certainly easy to look at what with the hip modern beauty of both of its stars decorating every shot. The fly-on-the-wall perspective of watching these two people awkwardly and trepidaciously flirt with what might be, kept my attention rapt, and experiencing it in the moment, I can honestly say that I did not know what was going to happen next.

If anyone has ever had that "friend" that you've know for years, you know you have feelings for them, appreciate their loyalty, and take their bad with their good (because after all, you're "just friends"), but have spent years keeping an eye out for something better, or just not taken that "next step" because of geography, peer-pressure, or fear of rejection, you will appreciate the honesty and sentiment of this story.

You'll definitely get a refresher course in the fact that life is indeed short and a lot can happen when you're not paying attention. Enjoy every moment you can, and take some risks or you'll be looking back on an awful lot of regret. A Lot Like Love is funny and sad, playful and poignant, and was over before I wanted it to be. For me, this movie is a lot like life.

Light romantic comedy, but...

[MelJJ123 · 7/10 · 2 May 2005]

Gosh darn it, I liked it. Did I think it was a cinematic masterpiece - definitely not, but who really expected that anyway? What we have here is a cutesy formulaic light romantic comedy. I laughed and walked out with a smile. Will I remember it in a year, probably not, but thats OK. I'd also like to comment on a post I read here, where the writer was 'distressed' by the characters in this film displaying VERY antiquated and unhip desires - like, dare I say it... wanting to secure a successful career, find love, and get married by age 30. Wow, can you imagine people nowadays feeling that way?! I personally find it 'distressing' to think that we live in a society where having traditional desires is made to be odd. I'm in my 20s and know many other people who are looking for these same things. So go figure, I actually found this perspective in a modern film refreshing.

Not at all a rip off but instead a good movie that echoes "When Harry Met Sally"

[CAMACHO-4 · 7/10 · 23 October 2005]

It is true that the way this movie was shot it did seem similar to the Billy Crstal and Meg Ryan romantic comedy. But everyone forgets that Hollywood rips everything off all the time. This film manages to keep the watcher interested and makes you feel for it's characters.

Ashton Kutcher is usually very unwatchable, but in this picture he helps create a shy and ambitious lead in Oliver Martin. Oliver is a dreamer who puts all his energy in creating a internet company to sell diapers. Then there's the always animated Amanda Peet as Emily. Emily from early on tries to push Oliver to explore life. Ashton and Amanda make a great team on camera and also have great chemistry when it comes to the more emotional parts of the movie.

Overall "A Lot Like Love" is a great romantic comedy with real heart and is really worth watching.

Beautiful Movie with a lesson

[faiz-can · 6 December 2009]

this movie isn't just another average romantic movie, there's lot to be learned from it. if you are somewhere in your 20s, you can probably relate yourself to this movie like i did.. The movies takes u to the crucial time of your life when you have to make tough decisions of your life regarding future,career etc and prioritize everything. it shows us what is more important material or love..? well i wont disclose more of it, i would recommend that watch this movie alone so that you can really feel it. its not that sort of movie which you watch with bunch of friends on weekends. in end, impressive writer and acting! peace Faizan

Wished it was better.

[ekk2k · 6/10 · 24 April 2005]

I had anticipated this movie as my generation's "When Harry Met Sally", as that is one of my favorite movies and "A Lot Like Love" seemed to be it! I do like Ashton Kutcher, especially when paired with above average actresses like Amanda Peet.

The movie wasn't horrible, it was cute, had a few heartfelt themes, wonderful chemistry, good performances and a story that should have promised two characters that you would never forget. Unfortunately, the plot didn't hold up, and in all, if the script had been better, all of these things could have been accomplished. It doesn't let you become as close to the characters as you'd like, no depth is depicted, and all though a few cutting edge dialogue scenes, it fails big time in the sharp conversational aspects that "When Harry Met Sally" thrives on.

It was disappointing, underwhelming, but if you feel you can relate to the characters, see it for a relaxing, think-free trip to the theater, as I did enjoy Ashton, perhaps out of my own bias, but he did what he could with the material and will make you fall in love with him.

Cute

[ArizWldcat · 6/10 · 8 July 2005]

While I was watching this movie, I enjoyed it. Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher have chemistry, and they have a good supporting cast in the film. I loved the younger sister and the deaf brother, and wished there would have been more family scenes for BOTH main characters. There were a couple of distracting "Things That Must Go" in this movie. 1) There were A LOT of distracting product placement (off the top of my head: Canon, Budweiser (a beer bottle in a car window? What???), Cheetos, Expedia, and more. None were subtle at all.) 2) Sex sounds. Puh-lease! We know what they're doing in there, do we really need to hear the grunts? Yuck! This might have a been a cute movie to take my teen daughters to were it not for this annoying scene.

My local paper said this was "this generation's ..."Harry Met Sally." I doubt it. This is another rom-com that was cute (as I said, I didn't dislike it), but forgettable. Not sure how this review will be categorized. I didn't love it...I didn't hate it. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, escaping, but I probably won't be buying the DVD.

A very romantic movie

[stevetseitz · 7/10 · 5 May 2005]

I saw this film as a second choice. The other film I intended to see was sold out. I didn't know what to expect except that I thought I didn't like Ashton Kutcher all that much going in.

He seems to be suddenly ubiquitous and way too prevalent in the mainstream media.

Anyway, I liked the range he showed in this film and felt his realistic portrayal and honesty was startling. This movie moves along in an episodic fashion and reminds me of "Annie Hall" a little bit.

We like both characters and feel they are perhaps destined to be together. We feel the tidal surges that bring them together at times and also understand that ebbing of that tide and their confusion about their relationship.

I must admit a few moments of the movie had me laughing (although it's not technically a "comedy") and the film also moved me to tears in a few spots.

I left feeling satisfied, thoughtful, and even hopeful that even in today's cynical world, with it's deceptions and snares, true love can exist.

Slow start

[jjeand1 · 6/10 · 23 April 2005]

Alright heres the deal- this movie starts off very slow, sort of like a dirtier version of serendipity but not, but as the movie progresses, the characters begin to develop and feel a bit more comfortable and you leave saying that was kind of cute.

Mostly a chick flick, with a bunch of cast members that you will recognize.

I give it a 6, just for the last hour and a half and a few funny parts that make up for the terribly slow beginning. Basically, go see this if you are in the mood for a romantic comedy and don't have too high expectations.

Good movie for those that enjoy passion

[vanclanoregon · 10/10 · 10 March 2006]

Probably the best romantic comedy my wife and I have seen in twenty years. Although we have always been a fan of Ashton Kutcher, this movie separates from his previous achievements. His chemistry with Amanda Peete is more believable than any other actress he has performed with. You actually fall into to the story as someone you might have known in life, whether it was a friend or someone that remains in your thoughts from years past.

To knick-pick the movie on plot or commercialization is to miss the writers passion for what he/she is trying to convey. Take the movie for what it is at face value and that is to travel through their relationship in all the what-if's, all the heart breaks and joys. If you let yourself do that you will enjoy a great story with someone you at one time shared the same passion with. -Curt & Tam

enjoyable romantic comedy

[lanilorac39 · 7/10 · 19 April 2005]

I saw A Lot Like Love this past week at a preview. It was a good romantic comedy that deals with the whole issue of good friends dating and how timing is so important in relationships. The movie goes through 7 or so years in the lives of Oliver (Ashton Kutcher), a motivated business guy that has his whole life planned at age 20 and Emily (Amanda Peet), a rebellious/wild girl who doesn't know what she's doing with her life. All through their 20s, Oliver and Emily go through changes that most 20 somethings encounter – switching jobs, cities, boyfriends/girlfriends and keep turning to each other for stability, but one of them is always dating somebody else. Every time that something difficult happens in one of their lives, they call or go see the other (they live in different cities).

Ashton plays a more subdued/thoughtful character than he usually does, and Peet plays a wild girl, and its cool to see how their characters change their hair, their clothes, and their feelings over the years. Peet is really good as Emily, the tough girl who has always had a man in her life is trying to figure out her place in the world. Her character is both vulnerable and stubborn. Ashton fans will also enjoy seeing him here – he's really kind of charming. The chemistry between Ashton and Peet is great, a cute couple. One great scene is when they are singing together on a long car ride, and other great scenes show how they support each other after a tough break up, or a death in the family, or losing a job. It all seems very genuine (you recognize parts of you or your friends in the characters).

Lots of people you recognize from other movies make appearances. Kal Penn (Kumar from Harold & Kumar) is Ashton's best friend. Ali Larter, Gabriel Mann, and Jeremy Sisto (Billy from Six Feet Under). This is a very enjoyable romantic comedy.

Great movie !

[reds_savo · 4/10 · 15 December 2005]

I think that "A lot like love" is a great movie for a person aged like me. I think that the story is great. I have to say that i would like something like this to happen to me because it's really incredible. It's a great movie for you and your girl in the cinema. This movie made Ashton Kutcher one of my favorite actors. He's such a good actor for teenage movies. There's many good scenes in the movie.The best one is when Ashton is playing that Bon Jovi song on the guitar.No doubt about that.I liked that song so much,i even placed it on my computer.I wanted to say that this movie has a great soundtrack.I would recommend it to every person that wants a great movie for him and a girl.

Great movie - funny, romantic and poignant

[s_oneale · 10/10 · 8 May 2005]

From the majority of other comments written about this film, it would seem that there are a lot of bitter, cynical people out there.

I watched this film last night with my wife and we both loved it - we laughed a lot, and thought the 2 main characters perfectly complimented each other - their chemistry was wonderful and utterly endearing, and you actually gave a sh*t about what happened to them.

Maybe I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy, but I'm astounded by the negative comments posted on this site. Some posts criticise the dialogue, but, well, isn't that just how people actually speak? I generally do not give out lengthy monologues re: my emotional state, and can appreciate a movie that deals in real language. It doesn't make the film any less appealing or worthwhile.

Go and see it with an open mind and, if you have a heart, then you'll love it.

Love Cannot Be Planned

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 21 May 2006]

While flying from Los Angeles to New York, the "good boy" Oliver Martin (Ashton Kutcher) meets the "bad girl" Emily Friehl (Amanda Peet) and they have sex in the toilet. They stay together along the day in New York, when Oliver discloses the planning of his life – his future career, successful job and then raising a family. He gives the phone number of his mother to Emily and asks her to call seven years later to check. For seven years, they occasionally meet each other, and in the end, their relationship becomes love.

"A Lot Like Love" is a pleasant and charming romance, with a reasonable storyline that slightly recalls "When Harry Meets Sally" and very supported by the chemistry of the fantastic Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher. This feel good heart warmer romantic comedy is enjoyable and funny. The excellent music score completes this good entertainment. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "De Repente É Amor" ("Suddenly Is Love")

boring as paste

[mm_19982003 · 2/10 · 22 April 2005]

this awkwardly directed film will leave you looking back fondly on a few strange scenes in a restaurant and in a car in the desert. they must have been improvised and then fished out of the "gag reel" bin to be included in the film itself. it is in these that Kutcher and Peet are the most entertaining, most likely because they were able to escape script and director alike.

it's also distressing to see a "hip" film espousing the same societally mandated behavior of "find a career, get married before 30" in an oblique way.

don't waste your time.

Very pleasant entertainment that uses Kutcher's and Peet's goofiness well.

[TxMike · 8 October 2005]

Although it is quite a different story, I was reminded of "When Harry Met Sally" while watching this movie. As it starts we are told it is 7 years earlier. Then, as the movie progresses we are told "3 years later", then "2 years later" etc until, presumably, the movie ends at the present. Emily (Amanda Peet) is being dropped off at the airport by her boyfriend, both of them feuding in an obvious break-up. Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) is watching this and immediately mesmerized by this young lady. Both are on their way to New York for family reasons, but both live in the L.A. area. This is their story, of their hit and miss relationship over those 7 years.

SPOILERS FOLLOW. On the flight, not even knowing each others' names, Emily joins Oliver in the plane's restroom for wild sex. He kinda likes her, she just sees him as a fling. They next have a chance encounter in NYC. They go to a bar. He explains that he is going to ride the wave of the future on the internet, gives her his parents' phone number, tells her to call in 6 years and bet $50 that he would be a big success. About 3 years after, New Year's eve, her boyfriend just moved out, she calls and finds him, they click, but he is moving to San Francisco for his internet diaper company. He gives her his camera as he goes, she an aspiring actress, turns to photography. In the end his internet company fails, they hook up again, it seems a lot like love.

A lot like an okay movie.

[punishmentpark · 6/10 · 15 August 2013]

I've seen this one a couple of times now, because there seems to be something genuine to it, even if it is basically quite simplistic. Kutcher didn't really convince me as much as he did before this time around, and some interactions between the two were just too childish, let alone funny.

Still, I don't want to bash this one too much, because any romantic film that makes me want to try it again (and again) deserves a little credit, at the least. And I can't get enough of watching Amanda Peet on the (big) screen...

The story is quite simple, their relationship isn't supposed to be as much, but... one can easily guess where all of this will be going, but this mix of lightheartedness and a fair sense of reality might be just about worthwhile to you. It was to me.

I'll leave it at 6 out of 10 this time around.

Great Sweet Fun

[JackRJosie · 7/10 · 21 August 2020]

I had low expectations going in, i haven't seen this movie for like at least 12 years. I was actually rather surprised. I found this to be a really good Rom-Com, there are so many bad ones that are just way too textbook. But this movie tried something a little different, and it worked out. This movie isn't as predictable as most romantic movies. Its comedy may have aged a bit but one could still find it funny. The movie still has a formula to it, that you catch on to, but it doesn't detract from the movie in any way. Its wildly entertaining, and rather exciting to see the two find each other throughout their lives. Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet have good chemistry as well. My criticism of the movie is this; The first 20 minutes are so weak sauce and just bizarre. I could see how folks get turned off to this movie in the begging, but if you weather through the cringe of the initial introduction than you're in for a treat. I also think the ending was pretty lame, and rushed. It didn't surprise you in any way, you saw every next step. Harsh ending and beginning but everything in between is very very sweet. Nothing EXTRAORDINARY though, just great sweet fun watch.

Good Chemistry

[marshagentry · 7/10 · 16 January 2014]

Why isn't Amanda Peet a household name? A mega-star? She's a beauty with comedic timing, and she's good at quirky. She did great drama in Law and Order: SVU as a kid who faked her own kidnapping. She was scary.

This movie is cute and the ending is a bit predictable. How it gets there is not predictable.

I shaved off points because Amanda Peets's character fake smokes cigarettes for no reason. What possible reasons do movie makers create a character who smokes when the actor isn't a smoker?

ANNOYING. ANNOYING. ANNOYING. I'm guessing that this writer or director is a non- smoker because smokers or ex-smokers like me can spot a fake a mile away. I can't watch. Seriously.

adorable Peet brings out the best of Kutcher

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 23 September 2015]

Emily Friehl (Amanda Peet) has sex with Oliver Martin (Ashton Kutcher) on a flight but refuses to fall for his awkward flirtations. He vows to be rich and successful in 6 years and they bet $50 on it. Three years later, her boyfriend breaks up with her right before New Year. She decides to call up Oliver. They have a charming time but he's moving to San Francisco. Two years later, he gets dumped and she runs into an old friend who is now dating her old boyfriend. They spend some more great time together but she has just met somebody else before and his internet diaper idea is on the verge of a breakthrough. One year later, his work is in the dumps and she's a celebrated photographer but she's engaged.

Sure, this is a copy of other great rom-coms. That has never irked me especially for the rom-com genre which relies a lot on formulas. The fact that it follows some familiar paths is a plus. Amanda Peet is adorable and is able to bring out some of the charm of Kutcher. That's the real deciding factor. They're a fun couple with a touching on-and-off romance. I would probably rework the years idea. I would start with "Six years ago", then "Three years ago", then "One year ago", then "Today". It would make the years countdown like a clock in a thriller and the saddest moment is when the clock gets to zero.

what can i say, i liked this movie.

[Joeyy · 10/10 · 9 January 2006]

A lot like love deals with issues in real life. There are many people out there who feel pressured with the "master plan" of having a career, a wife/ husband by the age of 30. The movie is well acted by Amanda Peet not to mention she looks stunning, and though Ashton Kutcher does overact some scenes he delivers a believable character. The problem with the movie was that you don't have enough time to really bond with the characters, and even though this isn't an amazing movie, it is still a good movie and i enjoyed it. The songs in the movie really did help with the mood. This movie did have much more potential but the writing wasn't as good as it could have been. My opinion is this movie is more for romantics, but its still good for the other people too.

Decent/average romantic comedy

[thesaint51-1 · 7/10 · 8 April 2005]

This was a pretty average romance comedy. I went to see it mostly because of Amanda Peet, and she looked good as usual.

They do a decent job trying to avoid some of the cheesy elements usually found in the genre, but the basics remain. Some of the things that happened in the movie were pretty unrealistic.

The movie attempts to explore the subject of mistimed romance, as well as difficulties in commitment and the whole "you don't know what you had 'til you've lost it" thing.

Overall, a fairly romantic film with a healthy dose of humor. Also, Kumar (from Harold & Kumar) was a nice surprise to find.

I just can't quit you, Amanda Peet!

[lavatch · 4/10 · 4 March 2006]

I began watching "A Lot Like Love" on cable TV, and early into the film, I wanted to pull the plug! The premise of the love story beginning in the past and moving forward episodically in increments of years seemed obvious and predictable for the two characters Emily and Oliver.

But there was one reason I was incapable of putting this film out of its misery, and that was the performance of Amanda Peet. She has a sparkling and refreshing screen presence that is irresistible even with lackluster dramatic material.

One example will suffice to illustrate the skills of this classy actress. There are two scenes in the film where Emily and Oliver are parting company, perhaps forever. As Oliver starts to speak, Emily asks him not to spoil the moment with words. The characters are then frozen in the emotional subtext of a silent farewell. In her delivery of the line ("Don't...you'll ruin it!") and in her touching reaction, there were two splendid—indeed, perfect—film moments.

In contrast to the performance of Peet, the film's major liability was Ashton Kutcher in the role of Oliver. There wasn't a believable moment in his performance. But as irritating as Kutcher was, I still felt compelled to follow this mediocre film through to its finale.

I guess I just can't quit you, Amanda Peet!

I'll Be There For You!

[chixcanrock2 · 10/10 · 20 August 2006]

This is not necessarily a "chick-flick", it is a funny movie thanks to Amanda Peet and Ashton Kutcher. These two have fantastic chemistry together - they let each other shine without burning out the others' light. Oliver and Emily meet by chance on a flight and through the years they run back to each other for comfort in various times of need. Oliver goes off to Seattle to open his big business adventure and ends up in bankruptcy. He moves back home with his family to restart his life, then he walks by a gallery and finds the photo that Emily took of him and her on the rock that night in the park. It is a great moment for him to realize how much he is in love with her. He shows up at her doorstep, guitar in hand and is singing the Bon Jovi hit classic 'I'll Be There For You' (which I will add that Ashton can actually sing a decent note!) The classic moment that seals their fate was when she comes to his parents home and what she thinks is his wedding, she turns around and walks right into the glass door - HYSTERICAL! Oliver then chases after Emily and she is feeling confused, hurt and thinks it is too late but alas, it is Oliver's Sister's wedding not his....Oliver kisses her in the very romantic way to steal your heart...The first time I watched this movie, I thought for sure they were together in real life, that is how much their chemistry worked :-)

There's an affective drama about relationships and friendships hiding behind A Lot Like Love's comedic veneer

[samseescinema · 7/10 · 25 April 2005]

A Lot Like Love

reviewed by Sam Osborn of www.samseescinema.com

rating: 3 out of 4

What interested me about A Lot Like Love was its interesting approach to the age old question of "can members of the opposite sex simply be friends?" In fact, the tag line for the film is, "there's nothing better than a great romance... to ruin a perfectly good friendship." As a testament to this question, my best friend is of the opposite sex. And no, we've never questioned or been tempted to bring our relationship past the level of friendship. So, in my opinion the question is a little bit silly. But apparently, this is a big problem for most people. Having a wholesome friendship with the opposite sex is tough, and A Lot Like Love tries to study this problem.

It begins with sex at 35,000 feet. Emily (Amanda Peet) has just broken up with her punk rocker boyfriend and boards a plane with Oliver (Ashton Kutcher), the geeky college grad who stared at her boyishly at the terminal. While cleaning coffee off his shirt in the plane's lavatory, Emily bursts in the door to have her way with him in the most obvious of rebounds. Oliver takes it as an aggressive pick-up line and follows her around New York until she finally gives in and has a drink with him. Here a bet is made that in six years Emily must call Oliver's parents (because even if Oliver moves away, his parents will still be in the same place) and see if he's become a rich, married business man successfully making his own way. From there, they part ways and go on to live their lives. But three and a half years later, Emily is looking for a date for New Years and runs across Oliver's number in her little black book. Giving his parents a call, she finds Oliver now starting his own .com business selling diapers. But again, the next morning the two part ways and periodically continue their friendship this way during the six year running length of their bet, all the while falling slowly in love.

Since the beginning of his film acting career I've had faith in the Ashton Kutcher. I even enjoyed his performance in the oft-insulted The Butterfly Effect. I think Kutcher has talent. And despite still being considered a B-list actor, I continue to look forward to each of his films. But for A Lot Like Love, Kutcher may not have been the best choice. The same goes for the beautiful Amanda Peet. Both these actors still have the reputation and image of comedic actors; and although A Lot Like Love is being labeled as a comedy, beneath the surface it's a pretty thoughtful drama. It's obvious the casting choices were made towards Kutcher and Peet to boost box office numbers, sacrificing some of the film's edge.

Don't get me wrong though, Kutcher and Peet are likable enough. It's the screenplay that deals with its comedic points a little foolishly. The screenplay tries too hard to get us to laugh, resorting to cheap slapstick gags to ease the tension that's so strenuously worked up. And in the midst of the screenplay's terrific construction of the two characters relationship, we're often struck sidelong by misused broad comedy. The actors can hold their own comically; they don't need the assistance of invisible glass windows that need to be run in to by the oh-so-silly female lead. This awkward comedy takes away from A Lot Like Love's power. Instead of being absorbed into these two characters' lives and periodic romance, we're constantly reminded that this is a box office romantic comedy, where mature adult romance is sacrificed for quirky lighthearted clichés.

But there's so much to like about A Lot Like Love that I couldn't help but recommend it. Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet do well in their ever-changing roles, the comedy really does work sometimes, and the screenplay's just too likable to abuse. There's still an affective drama about coming-of-age relationships and opposite sex friendships hiding behind A Lot Like Love's comedic veneer, but sometimes the film is just too scared to show it.

-Sam Osborn of www.samseescinema.com

Boring

[treyandjaneen · 2/10 · 22 June 2005]

Slow, predictable, boring version of When Harry Met Sally! Two people that meet by having sex and then develop a bizarre relationship of insults and hap hazard sex? The movie is uninteresting and fails to have much meaning throughout. You keep wondering when it is going to pick up and develop some aspect of a plot. There are a few brief moments of comedy displayed but they are soon eroded by the down beat, slow, methodical story line that seems to drag on forever. My whole family discussed at several junctions leaving the movie, but the admission price kept us there waiting for a change that never happened. I have enjoyed other movies with Kutcher (though I don't find him an extremely good actor) such as Guess Who, but A Lot Like Love is not one of them.