Love Sick (2006)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

I was less then impressed after seeing this film, given that it was decently promoted (rare thing for romanian movies), and apparently received some international praise. There was not nearly enough insight in the character's history and I think it failed to portray some events, making it some what confusing during it's middle. The film is some 90 minutes long, so there would have been space (so to say) for a few extra scenes. I think it was well played, the most obvious exception being Chirila, the main celebrity in the production's promotion. He proved that he can't do drama, again. The only other movie i've seen him in, "Milionari de Weekend", was all cheap and parodic, so his performance didn't stand out, but here it contrasts with the other, professional, actors. The female couple is quite good.

...since there are only few decent Romanian movies that were launched in the past few years. And the subject of matter is also difficult to approach. Yet, this benefits from a better production than other Romanian movies, and the photography doesn't leave the impression of wandering he Garbage Empire. Yet, it is poorly acted and written, especially written, there is no insight, no character development, Tudor Chirila is very annoying trying to look charismatic when he actually isn't. The whole material looks to high-school-ish to work, it looks like it was written by a 15 year old girl who discovered literature and some taboo subjects, so confronting such a script few actors could handle the situation without making severe changes. In spite of all said above, this movie is not disgraceful, it is not like "Italiencele" or "Orient Express", it doesn't leave you wonder who had the uninspired to fund such crappy productions. It is just a bad movie that could have been far better.* */* * * * *

Love Sick is a tale of pure unfettered romance that skates over dangerous waters. The lightness and rapidity of its dialogue hides a literary depth that is easy to miss. The two lead characters give significantly assured and fine performances as the carefree youngsters in a heady romance within a world of teenage absolutes.Alex and Kiki meet at university in Bucharest. What first begins as a natural friendship, soon becomes an intense love affair. "I wonder if this building is earthquake proof," says one early in the script, clearly joking, and with the same childish belief in invulnerability that soon characterises their relationship.One of the opening images is of the two of them running through the rain - a scene Kiki later dreams of the first night she stays over at Alex's place. The film quite deliberately runs in this ambiance of fairy-tale romance for a while - "I could smell the scent of sleep on her, and that's when I desired to see her always, every morning." It is an idealistic celebration of emotional warmth and closeness, of which sexuality (and the fact that they are both girls) plays only a small part. The dialogue rushes forth like a spring or waterfall that cannot be stopped, characteristic of many people of their age group. Such alacrity of communication, fired by physical attraction and excitement, and with a trust that has not been scrutinized too closely, perhaps accurately conveys the way many teenagers 'fall in love'. Whatever our prejudices, it does have a poetic beauty and easily overcomes any objection to the unmistakable lesbianism (which, however, would be shocking to the community where the story is set).Having toyed with our emotional tolerance thus far, the film then presents a more dangerous challenge. Kiki and Alex discuss the purity of an important novella by François-René de Chateaubriand (which sadly many audiences will not be familiar with). The eponymous René of the novella in point is a romantic figure whose sister joins a convent to overcome her incestuous love for him. The story is discussed when Alex presses Kiki about the feelings of her brother Sandu, who has become increasingly disruptive to their relationship. It asks us how far we can use the purity of lyrical attachment to justify that which we feel is wrong. "I like their recklessness, the irresponsible way in which they justify their sexual impulses by finding a correspondent for them in the changes of nature," may sound like waffle, but accurately depicts the romantic self-deception in which the girls are perhaps engaging.Both girls have been hiding their more serious side, Alex subduing her desire to study and Kiki skilfully disguising her emotional instability. The imagery makes an almost imperceptible shift, showing the disparity that is appearing between their heady ideals and the intrusion of darker elements. "You have a sleepy smell, like when you wake up in the morning and you've been dreaming too long." Love Sick has much more depth than is immediately apparent. Its flaws are that it is too deceptively flippant, and the speed at which it progresses leaves little time to digest the ideas that are so cleverly balanced. The ending comes so swiftly that we may very easily feel cheated at first, as if some greater resolution was in order. " . . . we had no idea what had happened, but that it was something rather beautiful." This is a film that deserves greater examination than it seems to ask us for, but such examination may be well worth the effort.

i expected something different:more passion,drama...Again another failed attempt of originality.i'm sorry to say that the film falls into the old cliché of 'cheesiness'.15 year old teens may appreciate it though.The acting was not very convincing and the lines common,lacking any wit.Still, the soundtrack was good and well adapted.I can't say that this movie is a total flop,because people do watch it but it didn't meet the public's expectations and sunk into mediocrity.So,to conclude,the production keeps you in front of the TV for almost an hour and a half,which is an appreciable thing.Thus,I guess its worth seeing if you don't get annoyed