Well, sigh.

Rating: 3/10 (2 November 2006)

What can I possibly say that hasn't been already said in the 114 pages before me? How about this: It has been 5 years now. Can we at least admit that the film's popularity has not withstood the test of time? The novelty of a plot twist and beautiful people may win you some ecstatic early reviews, but the arguments that it begins do not have the depth to become the kind of things you will want to share with your children twenty years from now.
Or how about this: I wish I understood Mr. Crowe's motivation in making this film. It lacked the innocent exuberance of Almost Famous, a place where great music made the story better. Here, pretty effects and some good music may create some individually beautiful scenes but they only serve to distract from the tension of the underlying story. Which, in order to be compelling needed all of the tension it could get.
Which reminds me, I would be really excited to see what a minimalist version of Mr. Crowe's work would look like. If he learns (or relearns?) the discipline to cut scenes that, while beautiful in themselves, only distract from the underlying story, will make better movies. It worked for Almost Famous, it was lacking in Elizabethtown. (Just throw them on the DVD as extras. They won't be lost.)
Sad conclusion: It was just an uninteresting film with some good music. It could have been good if the story had not been lost to the eye/mind candy. I have lost respect for his other work because of this one.
I think I'll go back and finish the Decalogue now; you kids have fun out there. (I managed to review the film without talking about Tom, that is worth something right?)