Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Dedication (2007)

Director: Justin Theroux

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out New York

Bitterness yields to a bruised but earned sense of reciprocity in Justin Theroux’s wintry directorial debut—a romance that feels, for better or worse, like a John Hughes film. (In this critic’s eyes, better.) Following the Hughes formula, there’s a fashionable pop soundtrack, much of it by the spacey San Francisco rock trio Deerhoof. More importantly, there’s a constant flow of slightly plastic bitchiness, launched by Billy Crudup (in the Judd Nelson part) as a temperamental children’s author mourning his recently deceased collaborator (Wilkinson). His anger is directed at freelance illustrator Mandy Moore, who looks like Ally Sheedy but is definitely the film’s Molly Ringwald: bescarved soul mate in waiting.

The two are forced into completing a book together, and Dedication similarly commits to a trajectory that might seem obvious to many. Still, the emotional journey in David Bromberg’s original script is satisfying, with both leads emerging as stronger performers. In Moore’s case, this means revealing chops and a more secure confidence playing a less-than-perfect character; Crudup, meanwhile, finally unveils a human heart. Fans of Theroux’s work with David Lynch—especially his sarcastic turn as the movie director in Mulholland Drive—will be surprised to find that he has one, too.

Author: Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out New York Issue 621: August 23–29, 2007


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing