Crazy Kind of Love (2013)

A broken family finds their relationships to one another changed by a new arrival in the household.

Director:

Sarah Siegel-Magness

Writers:

Karen McCullah Lutz (screenplay), April Stevens (based on the novel "Angel Angel" by)

Stars:

Virginia Madsen, Graham Rogers, Amanda Crew

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Virginia Madsen	...	Augusta Iris
Graham Rogers	...	Henry Iris
Amanda Crew	...	Bette
Zach Gilford	...	Matthew Iris
Sam Trammell	...	Jeff
Madeline Zima	...	Annie
Kristoffer Ryan Winters	...	David (as Kristoffer Winters)
Anthony LaPaglia	...	Gordie Iris
Aly Michalka	...	Janeen
Lin Shaye	...	Denise Mack
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Doris
Eva Longoria	...	Marion
Bobbi Sue Luther	...	Bartender
Christopher Atkins	...	Mr. Jeffries
Camryn	...	Ruby (as Camryn Magness)

Storyline

While re-evaluating her life as a newly single mother, a woman relies on her carefree son and his awkward brother to keep their lives interesting. When an unlikely romance blossoms between the youngest son and the new girl in town, she realizes the key to her happiness can be found where she least expects it, and there's only one kind of love worth living for - the crazy kind.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language and brief drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Vision Films [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Long Time Gone

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Smokewood Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

If only all debuts were this good • 7/10

Crazy Kind of Love is based on the popular debut novel 'Angel Angel' (1995) by April Stevens and first time director Sarah Siegel-Magness' has handled it surprisingly well. Sarah received an Oscar nod for production in the multi Academy Award winning Precious, but can she carry her success through to this film? With the help of a decent screenplay by the highly talented Karen McCullah (The House Bunny, Legally Blond) Sarah at least stood a better chance of making this a solid movie.

From the outset I started finding fault in the predictably cliché dialogue and situations they were finding themselves in, but even so, this movie had loads of charm and became rather addictive once it found its footing. There is an unmistakable likeness to several recent movies, such as Hesher, Mental and the one and only Juno, but Crazy Kind of Love stands on its own two feet and may find itself being held in as high regard, but only time will tell. Augusta (Virginia Madsen) has just been left by husband Gordie (Anthony LaPaglia) and is now having a mild breakdown, so doesn't leave her room for weeks. Her sons Henry (Graham Rogers) and Matthew (Zach Gilford) are pretty much useless and have their own problems to keep them occupied, but an unexpected person enters their lives, forcing them all to deal with their problems and not bottle them all up, as they have been doing up to now.

Amanda Crew plays the outspoken, mega confidant Bette, and is now Henry's live in girlfriend, but she almost single handedly brought this entire film to life. Her acting was actually quite brilliant and she would have had anyone eating out the palm of her hand. In fact, the acting was very good by everyone, with even the likes of Sam Trammell (Jeff), who didn't have a huge role still done extremely well. The talented Virginia Madsen (who replaced Meg Ryan) was horizontal for most of the movie and didn't get to do all that much but it's always good watching her perform.

The direction was pretty solid for a debut, as Sarah Siegel-Magness steered this tidy little production with relative ease, and I'm almost certain has found her calling. There were admittedly little in the way of risks taken in her direction but Sarah has shown great promise and has plenty time to experiment. I happened to like her sure, slightly off centre technique and don't see it as anything other than good. I will be interested to see what the director's next project will be as she has an unmistakable quirkiness that will sit well more in some than others, but for now, I'm very glad to have enjoyed her first movie and look forward to, hopefully enjoying the next.

Recommended

Score: 7/10

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