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It’s no surprise to learn “Letters to Juliet” was written by two different people, since it certainly feels like two different movies competing for screen time. One is a lovely, romantic pseudo-fantasy full of longing, atmosphere and a few magical moments between two fine actresses at opposite ends of their careers. The other is an unremarkable, unromantic romance full of overwrought tension, cottage-cheese dialogue and Claritin-commercial moments between two opposites who inevitably attract and, by the end, wind up basking in sunny fields together.
Of course, it’s unlikely writers Jose Rivera and Tim Sullivan actually penned separate portions, or worked in separate rooms before combining their efforts, but that’s the impression one gets while watching this handsome hodgepodge of a romantic comedy, which steps on its own feet as much as it optimizes the tools at its disposal.
Set in picturesque Verona, Italy and directed by Gary Winick, the film follows aspiring journalist Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she travels to the Shakespearean city with her neglectful fiance, Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal), whose workaholism leaves her plenty of time to explore. After volunteering to respond to a 50-year-old letter left in Juliet Capulet’s courtyard, Sophie persuades its author, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave), to return to Verona and seek out her long lost love, despite the disapproval of her pessimistic grandson/chaperone, Charlie (Christopher Egan).
When not straining to advance Sophie’s and Charlie’s courtship with everything from stargazing to ice-cream fights to Taylor Swift songs, “Letters” is an enchanting trifle, lit up by the Italian sun and Seyfried’s ever-brightening star power. Her scenes with Redgrave have a touching, torch-passing quality, and it’s easy to picture her attaining the same longevity as her venerable co-star.
Amidst a countryside quest to find Claire’s Romeo (which leads to some charmingly silly trial-and-error montages), Sophie seizes the fairy-tale opportunity to jot down the juicy bits in hopes of getting a feature published and launching her career. For her sake, I hope her account of the events is a bit more poetic.
Letters to Juliet
PG
Two-and-a-half reels out of four
In area theaters tomorrow
The Messenger
R
Available Tuesday
One of the better films to address the effects of the war in Iraq, “The Messenger,” a powerhouse drama about two officers in the Army’s Casualty Notification service, earned Oscar nominations for Woody Harrelson’s supporting performance and the original screenplay by Alessandro Camon and director Oren Moverman.
As the lead character, Ben Foster excels in his best role yet, and the impeccable Samantha Morton co-stars as the Army widow he romances.
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