Catch and Release

Warm,witty, inspiring,well done and has a Beautiful rythem💛

This film is fundamentally about how to cope with painful truths; escape with distractions, bottle it up for years, only show the good side of ourselves, blame others for our own failings or what's out of our control, or face it and transmute it into something that's helpful and kind. Every character grapples with this, even the child, and traverses their own story arc without staying stuck in one dimension. They each make mistakes and grow from them. It's so relatable that, by the end, it feels like you're just another friend in the room with these very real-seeming people.I'm a fan of every actor and they each create a story that engaged my heart from the beginning. I felt along with each of them, so they did a wonderful job. Garner managed to express the bitter side of grief in a way that humanized her character without vilifying her. There were plenty of moments when her character could have been played a touch too low or too grasping, but Garner's vulnerability kept the character grounded and lovable. Juliette Lewis was just perfect. Olyphant's character seems to be written as a cartoon cutout at first, but he quickly displays an electric presence that gives the guy interest, self-awareness, and depth. Olyphant consistently steals the show; you just want to see what he's going to do next. The love scenes have a focus on the story being told rather than just exposing the actors' bodies. More is said without words, which makes the story more stimulating.***SPOILERS*** The scene in the kitchen when Gray runs to hide just when Fritz is about to express his feelings is mostly well executed, but I wish the frame had pulled back enough to show the gesture Olyphant made with his hand when Garner pulled back. He reached for her in a silent "don't go" that was only partially visible. That movement contributed more to the unspoken conversation, so it really shouldn't have been cropped. The storage room scene where Olyphant played Fritz's self-defense with pained humor felt like a real break-up, and the shadow of disillusioned resolve that crossed his eyes looked like he was living it rather than acting it. Olyphant is consistently magnetic and fun to watch. ***/SPOILERS***

This is one of my favorite Timothy Olyphant movies that just so happens to have an excellent ensemble cast, all around. He is truly a romantic lead. This film is a Chick Flick, a Rom-Com, folks. It's not based on a great literary read. But it does takes a heavy subject, the unexpected loss of a loved one, and explores the different ways the loss is experienced by each character of the ensemble cast. And it doesn't necessarily show them all in their best light.The way the deceased's fiancee, Gray (Jennifer Garner), and his LA party buddy Fritz (Olyphant) meet in the beginning of the film shows the two to be about as polar opposite as two people can be. Then, you have the deceased's business partner, Dennis (Sam Jaeger), falling for Garner's character at such an inappropriate time. Fionna Shaw is excellent casting as the grief stricken mother. The comedy standouts have to be the deceased's good friend, Sam (Kevin Smith is surprisingly excellent) and Maureen (played by the incomparable Juliette Lewis who is a jewel in everything she touches).Garner and Olyphant have serious chemistry going on that translates over the screen. Garner is able to demonstrate a full range of emotions as she progresses through the stages of grief, while Olyphant is the cool, handsome, seemingly superficial Fritz who hits all the right notes opposite Garner's evolving character. There is a kiss between these two that is one of the hottest I've ever seen in the movies.This film is a road picture, a jaunt. It's mindless and heartwarming fun, against a heavy backdrop. Not to be taken too seriously. Have you ever seen David Duchovny and Minnie Driver in 'Return to Me?' A Chick Flick, Rom-Com against the serious subject of a heart transplant? These two films are similar in that way and tone; however, 'Catch and Release' has a younger ensemble cast and is set in a different city. And I found the chemistry between Garner and Olyphant to be more combustable than I did between Duchovny and Driver.

This just scrapes in as a 4. (they should really mark these out of 10).Mainly cos it's not the predictable type of film from the background of...wife loses fiance, finds out he was 2 timing her, has to move out of house cos of money problems...etc.No...it could easily have made the gang of lads she is forced to live with (friends of her dead fiance) stereotypical...but instead opens them up to being more than...the overweight bearded daft one, the handsome womaniser, the loser, the mistress she didn't know about turning up to try and grab some money for the kid she has. You end up liking all the characters and accepting their flaws.Well I did anyway.

It wasn't until I was searching on Amazon for random dvds that I could spend what little money I had on, that I found 'Catch and Release'. Now I must admit that when I was looking at it on amazon it looked rubbish and deathly boring and maybe quite old.When I eventually gave in and watched it I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole film! It's safe to say that this film is captivating! Jennifer Garner played her character in such a way that I felt everything she was feeling! I got butterflies and just couldn't look away! The comedy aspect of the film kept me highly amused and I really giggled at parts!Once I'd watched the film once, I watched it again every night for the next week because I loved it so much and got something new from it everytime I watched it!After watching it endlessly I bought more copies for my friends for christmas and they all loved the film almost as much as me!I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good old chick flick! Even if you're doubting this film because of how it looks I would urge you to give it a chance!!

Slow plot line, but a good film, no pausing, no scratches, sealed packaging- no complaints here

I was king of disapointed with this film, it sounded like a good romantic film but I couldn't get over the fact that Gray moves on with her life so quickly and easily after her finace's death. Yeah she may seem upset at times but didn't seem nearly enough as you would be, there is also a side bit of an extra couple of characters who I just couldn't understand how easily the others let them into their lives. The acting is good but all in all the storyline lets them down.

From a sad event to friendship to a relationship. A group of friends mourn the loss of a friend as his secret life starts to unravel; only his close friend knows the truth and tries to soften the blow to the deceased fiancé. This leads to an unsurprising relationship between the two. A feel good factor along with some fun and romance