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243 comments in total

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122 out of 147 people found the following comment useful :-
A glimpse of stalking, 11 September 2004
Author: livewire-6 from Ottawa, Canada

I've just come back from seeing what I think is one of the best movies of 2004. I found the story fascinating, the look stylish, and the music haunting.

"Wicker Park" is a tale of obsession on many levels. It is told partly in flashback, so that you have to piece the events together and figure out how far back the action of the film began -- what is now and what was then. The director uses split-screen techniques that enhance the look and feel of the film, lifting it from the realm of the ordinary to the plane of art. A haunting theme weaves its way through this labyrinth of lies, leading to a satisfying (because inevitable) conclusion.

I saw the film with two friends who were of a very different opinion. They found the film "convoluted" and "clichéd". I disagree. It was easy to tell what was flashback and what was here-and-now. But the story is complicated (not convoluted) and does require some sorting out. As for being cliched, I found the film quite the opposite. It could have gone in some trite, hackneyed directions but didn't. And while some people might think the ending is the cliché of all clichés, I thought that, emotionally, it was absolutely right and the only possible way to end the film.

I loved "Wicker Park" so much that I would willingly see it again, to get a better sense of how the story is put together, and just for the sheer pleasure of its look and sound. You might say I too am obsessed.

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89 out of 109 people found the following comment useful :-
Agree -- better than expected!, 26 December 2004

Author: mei-7 from Toronto, Canada

I hadn't heard of this film before seeing it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was suspenseful, even "gripping", with a touching and romantic plot. Overall, a movie definitely worth renting.

The film begins a bit slowly but picks up very nicely about 30 minutes into it. There are a few twists and turns that will keep your attention. The acting was quite good, albeit with little-known actors except for Josh Hartnett of Blackhawk Down.

The best part of this film was the clever way the story all comes together towards the end, including the flashback style which was very well done.

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102 out of 136 people found the following comment useful :-
An surprisingly good film., 6 September 2004

Author: queenalanna2424

It was a lazy Sunday night and the only movies playing were Wicker Park and Super Babies Baby Geniuses 2. Well, I picked the film with a more attractive cast.

After about the first thirty minutes of Wicker Park I was laughing because it seemed like this was the most absurd movie I had ever seen. However, as the film progressed the laughter subsided and intrigue ensued. By the last thirty minutes of the film I was hooked. When it was over, I was surprised that a movie that had started out so poorly ended up being one of the better films I have seen in a while.

If one sees this film, I recommend he/she be patient. I found the overall experience, despite the bad beginning, to be quite good.

4/5 stars

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80 out of 115 people found the following comment useful :-
Is Wicker Park worth your money?, 5 September 2004
Author: futbruin

Wicker Park Pretty much keeps you guessing the whole time.When your watching the movie you would think you have it all figured out you'll be surprised how wrong you could be.This is one of the best movies i've watched this year. The most entertaining movie i've watched this year is most definitely this one it actually keeped me guessing up till the end.Even though this is to be a physcological thriller it is also funny here and there and is also kind of sad.With this said Wicker Park is definitely worth your money.This is not really a family movie but it's good and with Josh Hartnett in it even better.Don't wait to long to watch it,you'll like it.

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51 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :-
beautiful movie., 20 September 2004

Author: danger4545 from United States

this movie was absolutely beautiful in every aspect of the word.

the camera-work is extremely well done, and, despite some comments, the plot has no real holes. everything is revealed with perfect timing, and the songs absolutely heighten the emotion of each scene. the characters were eccentric and go to such great lengths for love. i love that. not only do we end up seeing that Alex has motive, we can almost relate to her....although we do not agree with her actions, she becomes more vulnerable and human to the audience.

the best thing about this film is the intensity of the love we feel between matthew and lisa. the anguish they have felt the past two years from being unknowingly torn apart by a vindictive and crushed "friend" of lisa's.

and the end of the movie is perfect, when they see each other for the first time in two years, after a desperate four day search.....she turns, there is the feeling of disbelief, realization, then they just melt into each other and take it all in. i loved it.

this was the first movie i've seen in the theaters in a long time that i came away with SO much more than i had expected. i've recommended this movie to everyone i know, and everyone who's seen it who i know has felt the same way i do....maybe not with as much passion as i do.....but similar.

quality, quality film....ahhh, the day it comes out on video, i'll be the first in line to buy it.

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49 out of 70 people found the following comment useful :-
good movie, overall - totally unexpected, 26 July 2004

Author: aishahansari from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

well went to see this movie at it's screen test, where at the end, we had to answer some survey questions about the movie. before going in to see the movie, i thought it would be just another romantic movie but i was soo wrong...

the pace of the movie was just right...with flashbacks and character intro and perspectives on certain situation during the movie was quite interesting to see, plus how the story unravel very much satisfied me as it was totally unexpected...just amazing, plus the camera works/effects just so cool to watch...

i must say this is not your usual love story and it sure will appeal to all movie-lovers and it's just amazing!

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24 out of 28 people found the following comment useful :-
An intriguing surprise..., 17 April 2005

Author: Teresa from Atlanta, GA

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I enjoyed this movie on its face and found myself wanting to watch it again upon its conclusion, which very rarely is true for me. Most movies, including the ones I consider amazing, require the passage of several years before I might entertain the idea of watching them again. This was different, and will perhaps be better understood once you have seen the movie. It's like a puzzle I want to put back together on my own.

***SPOILERS*** Part of what I found most wonderful about this movie was that I was able to walk away from it not really considering ANY of the four major characters as "the heavy." Also, some preconceived ideas I had did not come to pass. For example:

MATT: Throughout the film you see him balancing his value system against his desires, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, but I got a sense that this guy wanted terribly to do the right things. Matt's going to see the play with Luke just because it mattered so much TO Luke is but one example

LISA: Didn't want to like her, didn't want to understand why Matt's feelings for her were as strong as they were. I had believed it would just be a sexual pull she exerted on Matt & this was not the case--I got it.

Luke: Played appropriately in places as almost shallow & buffoonish, I still got a sense that this guy was a truly good person & despite his fumbling hipness, he really wanted to be a great friend and to care about someone at a much deeper level than it appeared at first glance. I liked his forgiveness of Matt for having been out of touch for 2 years.

ALEX: Her conflict throughout the movie could have played well to her ultimately being labeled a psycho, but I felt great empathy for her (especially toward the end of the movie) at having been caught up in an emotional roller-coaster that drove her decisions throughout the movie. In one of the final scenes where she confesses her sins, so to speak, to Lisa, I felt especially rewarded that she was so much more than just a lunatic--and was, indeed, NOT crazy-- and that the character was an Anybody who could have been caught up on the thorns of an overwhelming desire.

Also, I enjoyed the friendship between Matt & Luke and how it remained intact and viable throughout the film. I think Matt's losing touch with Luke for 2 years was also symbolic of his having lost touch with himself.

And the final scene between Matt & Lisa was satisfying to me--I REALLY wanted them to find each other again, and the emotional elements of this moment in the characters' lives was depicted beautifully.

Finally, what a painfully lovely moment with Rebecca, when Matt is telling her what has happened, and what has been true for him since he thought he'd lost Lisa, when she said (and I'm DEFINITELY paraphrasing),"You want me to...know WHAT? That I'm not the girl who can break your heart?"

Haven't we all felt THAT before?

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33 out of 53 people found the following comment useful :-
This is a movie that works in spite of itself, 7 October 2004

Author: John English (jte@code-co.com) from Orem, Utah

WICKER PARK

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Rose Byrne, Matthew Lillard, Diane Kruger. Director: Paul McGuinan.

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This is a movie that works in spite of itself. It was marketed as a Single White Female type thriller, but it's really more of a somber reflection on obsession. If the main characters had email, the movie would be over before it started, but the character study and emotional investment by the actors overcame the convoluted plot.

The movie goes back and forth in the timeline, cutting between present day and two years ago. Two years ago, Matt (Josh Hartnett) fell in love at first sight with Lisa (Diane Kruger), and he would follow her for a while before he had the courage to approach her. In the present, Matt is engaged to be married, but when he thinks he sees Lisa across a crowded room, he loses her, but he skips a business trip to try to track her down.

As we watch the two timelines, we're left wondering. Why did Lisa disappear on Matt the first time? When finally does find Lisa, it's a different woman. Have we entered Mulholland Drive territory?

Josh Hartnett, whom I can take or leave depending on the movie he's in (I took him in Black Hawk Down, I left him in Hollywood Homicide), brings a real sincerity to his character's inner struggle. Rose Byrne is also really good as the dark-haired Lisa. Matthew Lillard is effective as the wise-acre best-friend, showing subtleties the role of Shaggy would not permit. Diane Kruger, the blond Lisa, is about as forgettable as she was as Helen in Troy.

Once it was all over, I'd say a good 25% of the audience was laughing at the plot contrivances, but sometimes a movie can overcome obstacles as basic as its story. Rated PG-13 for sexual situations.

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15 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
An underrated masterpiece., 2 March 2008

Author: dead47548 from United States

Exceeded my large expectations. One of the best films of 2004 with my personal Oscar win for Best Actress. It's an extremely compelling and unique mystery thriller with intricate characters and a storyline that could easily become absurd and convoluted but feels natural and McGuigan allows the viewer to be fully aware of what's happening. It never gets too far ahead of the audience but it doesn't drag for a second. The editing is flawless and meshes the present with the not-so-distant past perfectly. Josh Hartnett delivers a surprisingly emotional performance and adds another strong performance to his recent resume that has really transcended him from the horrific heartthrob clique he was placed in when he first came onto the scene into a serious, talented actor. But the real star of the film is the beautiful Rose Byrne who, as always, delivers a knockout performance that is easily one of the best of the decade. She takes this psychopathic character and somehow makes her immensely sympathetic. I actually found myself rooting for her to be with Matt. Simply with her eyes she portrays this wounded, internally saddened character effortlessly. As I always am when seeing her act, I was completely entranced and amazed. A stunning performance in a brilliant film.

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35 out of 58 people found the following comment useful :-
its what you think but its not what u think, 4 September 2004
Author: punkboy45 from Cairo, NY

This movie was one of the most unique films i have seen in quite awhile. I really liked the way it was portrayed. It was a very good storyline, from the previews it almost seemed confusing but it wasn't confusing at all.

The scenery was excellent. It was a top notch performance on everyones part. It kept you guessing until you didn't know what to think. It was a thriller, yet had a comedic spark here and there with a twist of romance and a dazzle of drama. It was by far one of the movies that stick out this year that i've seen. Josh Hartnett played his role so well, and the 2 females i wasn't really familiar with their work but they did a fantastic job as well as Mathew Lillard.

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