Two people madly in love with each other are kept apart; it’s a classic bitter-sweet romantic drama scenario. In this case the couple are Los Angeles-based Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and London-based Anna (Felicity Jones). After an intense summer romance the pair begin a long distance relationship, hoping to be reunited and to overcome all the resulting communication difficulties, jealousies, temptations and doubts that they may not be the soul mates they thought they were.
Initially Like Crazy successfully conveys the rush and then crash of an intense short-term relationship. However, the stakes aren’t high enough for it to sustain the desired emotional anguish. The situation is too privileged to be truly tragic – Anna naively overstaying her student visa is the cause of the estrangement and their lives are otherwise kind of fantastic since they both achieve success and fulfilment in the professions of their choosing very quickly. Nevertheless, this likeable low budget American indi is kept fresh by Yelchin and Jones who are endearing as the star-crossed lovers.
Originally appeared in The Big Issue, No. 401, 2012
CINEMA AUTOPSY 