DVD Reviews

London

Posted by Brian C. Gibson (brian@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 30, 2006

You know those crazy conversations that happen after someone you know has just gotten out of a relationship? Imagine a movie entirely about those pseudo-intellectual conversations about life, love or relationships all while under the influence. Oh, and Dane Cook has a cameo.

It has been a few months since Syd (Chris Evans) and London (Jessica Biel) have been broken up. Syd has found himself in a downward spiral of drug and alcohol abuse while wallowing in his sorrows. When he finds that the girl of his dreams is about to leave for California the next day and that a party is being thrown in her honor, he decides to take some action.

Before leaving for the party, Syd decides to meet a man named Bateman (Jason Statham) at a bar where his friend Mallory (Joy Bryant) works. Bateman supplies Syd with the drugs that will give this evening the extra edge that would be expected from an emotional farewell party. Syd and Bateman spend the majority of the evening in the bathroom of the loft snorting cocaine, drinking alcohol and entertaining several girls that make their way into the room. The two engage in highly psuedo-intellectual conversations about everything and nothing to do with love and relationships. When London arrives, it’s only a matter of time before Syd decides to go downstairs and bring the party to a climactic finish.

This entire movie reminds me of so many of my friends after they have gotten out of a relationship. You know the drill:
Friend: I hate her. She is such a bitch.
You: I know, she is a bitch.
Friend: Don’t call her a bitch! I love her!
This film was filled with some great dialogue and an awesome cast. Sometimes all a film really needs are those two elements and in the case of London, what you see is what you get. At times some of the dialogue is filled with drunken pretentious babble, but that is the beauty of the film. The film was funny at times and honest at others. The one piece of dialogue that really stuck out in my mind was when Syd and Bateman were talking about whether or not it would be ok to have sex with the 17 year old Maya (Kelli Garner). Syd says something to the effect of “do you know what my friends would say if I were with a 17 year old?”, and Bateman quickly replies with “if we told every woman everything we have done, do you think we would ever get laid?”

Chris Evans produced his best performance to date as the overemotional ex-boyfriend. Evans actually had to act in this one folks, give him a round of applause. London quickly proves why Jason Statham shaves his head, because he looks like a dork with hair. Jessica Biel well, is hot. Isla Fisher shows up in her first film since Wedding Crashers, you might remember her as Gloria the saucy little redhead. London has a great young cast to match the subject matter of the script and even though Syd comes off like an idiot, you still find yourself wanting him and London to get back together.

The film is fun to watch, but sadly not a great enough title to warrant multiple viewings. The DVD does not have much to offer, but almost the entire soundtrack is done by The Chrystal Method. Dane Cook has a small cameo and provides some quick comic relief near the ending.

The Upside:
A great look at how relationships fall apart
The Downside:
Some pretty pretentious drunken conversation (even though we are all suspect to it)
On the Side:
Jessica Biel used body double Vanessa Motta during the film

Breaking Down the DVD:
The Film: C
The Delivery: C
The Extras: D
Final Grade: C-

Stats:
Release Date: May 23, 2006
Starring: Chris Evans, Jessica Biel, Joy Bryant, Jason Statham, Kelli Garner, Isla Fisher
Directed by: Hunter Richards
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
MPAA: Rated for strong sexual content, pervasive language and drug use, and some violence
Country: USA
Run Time: 92 minutes
Studio: Sony Pictures