Lovelife (1997) User Reviews

How to dump your lover without really trying

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 19 December 2004]

John Harmon Feldman, the director of this movie that we saw recently on cable, shows he can create a movie in which he has a point of view about modern relationships. In this case, Mr. Feldman concentrates in what appears to be a Los Angeles university. He shows a slice of the campus life as the young people get in love, and then they as they fail mercilessly by their new partners.

The director, who also wrote the screenplay, presents us with a merry go round of relationships that, at the beginning appear to be solid, but obviously, they didn't have a chance to survive and we watch how almost all of them disolve.

The best vignette in the film involves an older professor who likes a young woman that is living with an insufferable bore. Bruce Davidson, as the older man, and Sherilyn Fenn, is the girl who he is trying to win over, although he realizes his limitations. When this young woman is dumped, she realizes her happiness lies with the professor, who is mature enough to share his life with her. Both Mr. Davidson, and Ms. Fenn are a delight to watch.

The rest of the cast is young and attractive. Saffron Burrows, Carla Gugino, John Tenney, Matt Letscher, all make great contributions to the movie.

Although some comments in this forum are negative, the film is much better than other highly praised ones. Give it a chance to win you over.

Surprisingly Good

[NJCondon · 7/10 · 12 August 1998]

When I saw the description and cast list for this movie, I didn't hold out much hope as to its quality. I expected either some ridiculous Zalman King -esque soft-porn thing or the cinematic equivalent of a sitcom. I was pleased to discover that I was wrong; this is a well-made, entertaining movie with engaging characters and great dialogue. The film focuses on the rather complicated romances of seven people living in an unnamed university town. All of the characters are interesting, but I was most fascinated by the neurotic, talkative Amy, played very convincingly by the charismatic Carla Gugino. On the whole, I found this to be a very clever, enjoyable film.

Overall Rating: 7 (out of 10), or 3 stars (out of 4)

A heartfelt sleeper

[BRAD-90 · 20 June 1999]

An entertaining and insightful evaluation of love, both lost and found. Rang true from start to finish. There was not a false moment to be found. This was due in large part to an intelligent script which was superbly acted with highly believable characters. A wonderful slice of life film that continuously hits the mark and never goes over the top. **** out of *****

Call the Lifetime Network and see if they're missing a movie

[adam b · 3/10 · 3 May 1999]

The plus side of having cable television with a movie channel or two is that you get the opportunity to see movies you might have otherwise missed somewhere along the way. I'm talking about those charming little films that have a low budget but make up in heart what they're missing in window dressing. Lovelife ain't one of those movies. This is an overlong whine-a-thon where people give each other the shaft and can't figure out why they aren't in satisfying relationships. Pretentious and pathetic all at once, this film tries to find honor in the fact that it isn't a mainstream film, and sacrifices everything that makes a film (mainstream and otherwise) entertaining in the process. Avoid this one. It isn't even a good date movie.

Absolutely AWFUL!

[suecooper69 · 2/10 · 22 December 2000]

Oh dear, did I just watch a cut version of a porno? This has all the ingredients of a typical soft-porn film, but with the sex cut out. Same poor story that is only there to link in who's "doing" who and the same awful music that leads up to the obvious coupling sessions.

He's with her, she dumps him and moves onto his mate, who's previously been with her mate who already an ex of his other friend. That type of swapsie's thing.

Yuk!

don't get suckered again

[sandcrab277 · 3/10 · 31 December 2017]

Who comes up with these cornball schemes...they obviously don't have a real life or ever attended college...tenney and davison are not actors i'd let participate in any production of mine because they both exude effeminate behavior...the female roles in this fishbowl are women of great talent only obfuscated by the lack of a good script and believable men in their lives

DON'T RENT THIS MOVIE!!

[cdh21 · 1/10 · 24 July 1999]

This has GOT to be one of the absolute WORST movies I've seen in a very long time. It uses every cliche in the book. I was bored right from the start, and I usually enjoy romantic comedies like this. I feel truly sorry for the actors/actresses who now have this film on their resume. They are all talented, but they had nothing to work with - the script and the directing were AWFUL! Save your money and rent something, ANYTHING else!

Great characters

[alt · 9/10 · 21 September 1998]

Well, I thought that the film was very sincere and realistic. It did a very good job of eloquently expressing a few relationship situations. The cast did a great job at drawing me in. All the characters were believable and the writing was very heartfelt. I specially like Carla Gugino's character, Amy. I wish I knew someone like that.

Complications ensue when seven people decide to switch lovers.

[scrutiny · 18 March 1999]

How this one got lost in the cinematic cracks is beyond me. I'm totally loving Carla Gugino these days ever since Snake Eyes but when I saw Saffron Burrows and Sherilyn Fenn in the credits also, I just had to sit and watch. To think I was going to see Logan's Run. I could not get enough of this film. Great writing, subtle direction, and an assurance I haven't seen since Soderberg's Sex, Lies & Videotape. The actresses are great but the actors aren't shabby either. Matthew Letscher has impeccable comic timing. Bruce Davison is so warm and giving in his perf. And Jon Tenney, he's not just Teri Hatcher's beau in my eyes any more. Watch for his scene where he melts a coed into his arms only to be driven to tears by Saffron Burrows a few minutes later. I can't wait for Mr. Feldman's next feature.

Very enjoyable

[Mistrcoffe · 8/10 · 3 December 2013]

I tried this movie simply for something to watch and really enjoyed it. I have found that I am watching movies more and more for the job the actors do rather than have heavy requirements in the other areas of a film. This one has great acting and actually doesn't need much in the way of forgiveness in any category. The story seemed very real life to me. No the scenarios don't occur everyday with so many who know or encounter each other but these things do happen. I have seen reviews where the writer is trying to pin the writer/director of Love Life into an intent to make "Friends". I didn't see that and disagree with the critic. These people don't have the years of history and friendship as a group. They are adults who are placed together by an academic institution. I will watch it again and will tell people (who probably will see me the day after they watch it) I recommend it. Give it a shot if the actors or genre appeal to you.

It could have been better

[Gordon-11 · 4 June 2006]

This is a story of 6 people's love life, and how in the space of 90 minutes can turn upside down.

The film itself was enjoyable. However, I did see some problems. firstly, most of the indoor scenes are inadequately illuminated. It leaves me thinking whether they are not having enough lamps around. Secondly, in the initial 20 minutes of the film, the scenes seem fragmented and jump around between characters. Thirdly, although this film is marketed as a comedy, it simply is not funny enough. The end result is that the film becomes plain and a straight-forwardly told story.

This film is OK to watch, but don't expect it to be a groundbreaking film.

Wonderful, Wonderful Film

[steve1480 · 10/10 · 11 February 2008]

Minor masterpiece. Everybody gets not only what they deserve but what is best for them. Saffron Burrows, dumping her shallow lover, explodes in a controlled rage that is so perfectly positioned I could only shake my head in wonder and admiration, and I have never seen anything quite so uniquely touching in a film as Carla Gugino's funky gesture re Matt Letscher's brow sweat. I could go on and on. No clichés. One of those rare movies in which every scene surprises. Great depth and restraint to the performances. These actors may never again get a chance to be so human in a film. Very, very amusing on what I would call a high level. And LA has never looked more idyllic, perfect for what is being served up: palpable Grace. Postscript 2020: this filmmakers last directing job. !!!! What a world.

To be in love is to be out of your life. Or not.

[24601-6 · 4 September 1999]

If you were ever dumped in a relationship that you thought you were perfectly happy and you don't know what to do, this movie might help. On the other hand, it might not. Lovelife deals with relationships and when they are broken, the victims have a chance to get themselves together to see what kind of a relationship they were in. Some learn from it, others don't. The cast has three beautiful actresses- Burrows, Fenn, and Gugino. Even though most of the dialogue contained typical romance-comedy cliches, there were some interesting dialogue, lines, and moments in the film. One line sums it up--if you're in love with someone, you're either with the person or thinking about being with that person. A better soundtrack, script and directing would make this movie a must see.

5/10

0 out of four stars.

[sg-3 · 25 September 1998]

Lovelife has to be one of the worst movies I've seen in recent years. Jon Harmon Feldman's pathetic attempt at a Woody Allen-esque romantic comedy was painfully embarrassing. Granted, some of the cast is talented, just not in this film. Matthew Letscher's character Danny was especially annoying, with every "witty" remark, I really wanted to slap this film, if only I could. I sat through it, but you don't have to.