3/10 - for the good screenplay, story, direction and another 3/10 for Kirsten Dunst. (total 6/10) Two high school students fall in love, nothing new to that, happens every ten seconds. One student latino, the other white. Guess who is the latino. Always the guy - I would really like to see this turned around.
Anyway - the gal is crazy, sort of, witnessed some tragic family situations and still dealing with them. The guy is from East L.A. and doing his best to break out of the "pack". So, he takes a two hour bus ride to PH (near the beach, far from downtown LA) so he can get the proper profile to get into Annapolis and become a Navy pilot. But, wait -- he meets a strange and quirky gal and is smitten. She knows nothing about responsibility and is carefree (including having sex in front of her congressman father). The "magic" works and they "fall in love" and then it gets complicated.
So the story line has been done a million times. This latest revision however has the casting of Kirsten Dunst and she is able to elevate the entire film. She is credible and a pleasure to watch, she is worth the entire movie. Jay Hernandez as Carlos only shines on screen with Ms. Dunst - again, she makes the film live and live well. His other scenes he seems completely out of place. Bruce Davison as the bewildered congressman spends a lot of time at home (shouldn't he be in DC?) wondering about his wayward daughter and dealing with his bitch-wife. His part is written honestly and is done justice by Mr. Davison.
The movie is intense and interesting, I rather enjoyed it. But, (always a but, huh?) the ending is too sugary and would have had a stronger impact if... well, just let's say the ending is not believable.
Anyway - the gal is crazy, sort of, witnessed some tragic family situations and still dealing with them. The guy is from East L.A. and doing his best to break out of the "pack". So, he takes a two hour bus ride to PH (near the beach, far from downtown LA) so he can get the proper profile to get into Annapolis and become a Navy pilot. But, wait -- he meets a strange and quirky gal and is smitten. She knows nothing about responsibility and is carefree (including having sex in front of her congressman father). The "magic" works and they "fall in love" and then it gets complicated.
So the story line has been done a million times. This latest revision however has the casting of Kirsten Dunst and she is able to elevate the entire film. She is credible and a pleasure to watch, she is worth the entire movie. Jay Hernandez as Carlos only shines on screen with Ms. Dunst - again, she makes the film live and live well. His other scenes he seems completely out of place. Bruce Davison as the bewildered congressman spends a lot of time at home (shouldn't he be in DC?) wondering about his wayward daughter and dealing with his bitch-wife. His part is written honestly and is done justice by Mr. Davison.
The movie is intense and interesting, I rather enjoyed it. But, (always a but, huh?) the ending is too sugary and would have had a stronger impact if... well, just let's say the ending is not believable.