A Lot Like Love

Herald rating: * * *

English director Nigel Cole (Saving Grace and Calendar Girls) has opted for a younger cast and audience with his latest effort A Lot Like Love, a surprisingly watchable piece of fluff, reminiscent of 90s romantic comedies such as When Harry Met Sally.

There's nothing new here and, in true romantic-comedy style, it's hard to believe the coincidences that occur between our two unlikely lovers. What holds this film together is its casting.

Ashton Kutcher is Oliver, a naive, ordinary young guy who lives at home in LA with his parents. Although Oliver finished school a year ago, he's still trying to work out what to do with his life.

On his way to visit his brother in New York, Oliver has a random sexual encounter in the plane toilet with a woman called Emily. Smitten, he tries to make conversation with his new acquaintance, but she's not interested, insisting he's not her type, and they go their separate ways.

Emily is a harmless rebel. She likes dating musicians, drinking during the day, and smoking. If Oliver thought he had seen the last of her, he was mistaken. New York might be a big city, but not big enough to stop these two from banging into one another on the street.

Oliver and Emily begin a casual romance challenged by career and location changes and the odd failed romance with others. But, as time goes by, they develop a strong friendship and grow to rely on each other.

Kutcher and Peet are perfectly cast. They look like they're having a good time and actually like each other, and the chemistry builds between them, even though they're the least likely characters to fall in love.

You get the feeling Coles was happy to let his talent play out the cute moments between them, aware that this film's chance of being charming rests on them. Although you will promptly forget this uneventful, light and fluffy cinematic experience, it will put a smile on your face.

CAST: Ashton Kutcher, Amanda Peet
DIRECTOR: Nigel Cole
RUNNING TIME: 107 (mins)
RATING: M - contains sexual references
SCREENING: Village, Hoyts and Berkeley cinemas