Most overrated by critics - Warning Spoilers

Rating: 5/10 (11 July 2007)

I was really excited to see this film. It has already been making top lists of the year and no one seemed to have anything critical to say. I enjoy independent film and love foreign cinema, and I love romantic films. But I'm really getting tired of all the kudos this film is getting as I found it to be extremely disappointing.
The film is boring, first of all. I have no problems seeing slow films, especially if the cinematography is beautiful and interesting. However, this film had no storyline and the mise-en-scene was pretty non-existent. At times it felt like watching a music video, a really boring music video. Without a solid plot line, no character development, and coincidental situations, there was only one thing holding this movie together: the music.
I found the music to be just as redundant as the lack of dialogue. The same chorus lines are repeated, there's emotion for a lack of reason, and it sounded one step above any mainstream band or artist currently being played on the radio.
The one attribute I am especially tired of hearing about is the realism in the story. I found it to be extremely unreal. Everything seems to work out for the characters - she has a piano she can just play on for free, he jumps in with his music, they sound so great together, they get a loan to rent a studio, studio technician loves what they do, they manage to record their first song practically perfect, the characters fall in love despite him getting over a broken heart and her still being married to a horrible husband, and then it doesn't work out.
I'd like to know why? It seems like the love of his life stomped on his heart and her husband, who is in another country, doesn't appreciate her. After spending only one magical weekend recording their perfect demo, her husband suddenly comes back the next day. That seems as coincidental as them meeting on the street. And he decides to go to London, armed with his demo, to win back his ex-girlfriend. How is any of this realistic?! I am not unfeeling, I just have better taste in movies. I feel like many critics viewed this film at a festival and swooned over the energy that sometimes exists at these types of events. If someone wants to see an independent film, go see "Paris, je t'aime." It's more worth the money.