Real, Likable, Funny and Intelligent, Which Is Quite Rare for Romance Movies!

Rating: 7/10 (22 August 2013)

Stephen Frears' adaptation of Nick Hornby's famous 1995 novel is beautiful and interesting exploration of various kinds of relationships (romance); the breaking-of-fourth-wall technique really works for the movie and gives a personal touch to the romantic endeavours. The movie is entertaining as well as thought-provoking.
The characters are intriguing and relateable. Jack Black's character is an amazing addition in the humour aspect; the 'Evil Dead' conversation is amusing. Hilarious cameos by Tim Robbins and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
It also shows how people (especially men) are obsessed with even the minute trivia about various artists and their work, in the field they like. And how many of them act like all-knowing snobs who judge the tastes of the people around them. Stephen Frears is brilliant and innovative as always in portraying the story and the characters with such understanding and warm likability; the storytelling style is captivating, and it pulls you in.
Ultimately, it real, likable, funny and intelligent, which is quite rare for romance movies.