Film Review: It's All About Love (2003)
Thomas Vintenberg, co-founder of Dogme 95 movement, was one of the most celebrated Danish and European film makers at the end of 20th Century. His reputation was mainly built on Festen a.k.a. The Celebration, his highly praised 1998 black comedy made according to Dogme 95 principles. That reputation was nearly ruined with his next film, 2003 drama It’s All About Love.
The plot is set in (then future) year 2021. John (played by Joaquin Phoenix) is businessman who during one of his trips lands for a two hours in New York City in order to sign divorce papers for his wife Elena (played by Claire Danes), world-renowned figure skating champion. Seemingly routine encounter turns into nightmare when John realises that Elena is victim of conspiracy by her managers and entourages that try to artificially prolong her careers. John and Elena are forced to escape hotel and begin journey that coincides with apocalyptic phenomena occurring around them and all over the world – snow falling on New York in the middle of summer, water mysteriously freezing and Ugandans being ascended into sky.
It’s All About Love can be best described as tragedy. Not as much because of its content, but mostly due to extremely high expectations based on reputation of Vinterberg and his cast. To say that those expectations weren’t met would be an understatement. The main reason for this film’s fiasco can be found in the script by Vinterberg’s co-writer Mogens Rukov, an elitist snob who explained that he preferred screenplays to be unfinished. It’s All About Love shows plot which is unfinished, but many other details were simply not thought over and even the most deep-thinking and analytical viewers would fail to grasp what Vinterberg wanted to say with his film. Plot that juggles between futuristic thriller and apocalyptic drama too often ends as unintended comedy. Vinterberg’s attempt to compensate lack of coherent content with “cool” style based on bright colours and special effects fails because of irritating music score by Zbigniew Pressner. Despite being relatively short with 104 minutes of running time, It’s All About Love looks longer than in should be, especially due to needless subplot involving John’s brother (played by Sean Penn). Film is also overlong due to the scene of execution on ice rank which turns into grotesque. People from this review author’s part of the world are even less likely to appreciate this film because of Claire Danes making terrible job in her attempt to speak local language(s). It’s All About Love was ridiculed during its premiere at Sundance Film Festival and Vinterberg had to spend years before restoring his reputation with The Hunt.
RATING: 2/10 (-)
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