It doesn't avoid cliche, but each one of the predictable scenes is done better than typically. This is largely due to the more than adequate performances, usually (though not uniformly) good screenplay, and absolutely PERFECT cinematography from the master, Caleb Deschanel (The Right Stuff, The Natural, Being There). He makes everyone seem smarter, every scene seem new. I doubt there will be a better photographed film this year, and for those who still go to the movies for visual pleasure, this will more than suffice. Also, one note on acting: Robin Wright Penn has come along gradually. With this and her performance in Hurlyburly, she is nonpareil in her age- and beauty-class; I'd prefer to see her than Julia Roberts, Monica Potter (the winner of the New Julia Roberts Star Search contest, as The Undercover Critic put it, and all the rest in adult romance--and she's always been more gifted at comedy than the rest.
Review of Message in a Bottle
