Reviews

I love the Lemony Snicket books, so maybe it was inevitable that I would hate this movie (though I have to say that I love the Harry Potter books and am generally quite pleased with their movie versions). What were these people thinking with this? Anyone who's read the books will understand my dismay, while anyone who saw the movie without reading the books probably wonders why the books are so popular. I must say that one of the worst things (and that's saying something here) about this movie was Jim Carrey. As a cigarette has been classified a nicotine delivery device, similarly this movie seemed like nothing more than a Jim Carrey delivery device. Every time he came on screen and started mugging I wanted to fast forward to safety. The child actors, on the other hand, were very good given what they had to work with. But what a thorough disappointment all the way around.

I can't recall a movie that has ever so totally charmed and captivated me. Like other Jaglom films, this one makes great use of Victoria Foyt, and uses the refreshing method of allowing actors to ad-lib many of their lines. I found this to give the film a fresh, unconstrained feeling well suited to this type of story. I came out of the theater enveloped in a dreamy, warm romantic glow that stayed with me to the next day. I've been checking for this movie to be available for purchase on video ever since! For anyone who believes in fate and its hand in our lives and loves, this is a movie you'll cherish.