When I consider the words of sonnet 115, I must admit that I imagine someone older (or at least not young) as they talk of how they were foolish to speak of certainty and not be aware of growth – so that they did not see how much more love would grow over time, when they said they loved someone the most. As a result, coming into this film it did put me off a bit to see the subjects are beautiful young people who look like they have barely had the same haircut twice, far less experienced change and growth in life.
The plot though covers for this, because it is a fairly sweet set-up as a young man waits with his family to surprise his girlfriend and propose to her. In this context, the talk of love and growth does fit and it worked pretty well. The issue though is that the sonnet is only part of this, and really doesn't feel like the main part of it. As lead actor, Parks feels very natural at the start and end, but goes into "Shakespeare" mode for the actual sonnet; this is understandable and his performance of the text is fine, but I would have loved if he had managed to keep his character while doing it. The supporting cast bring energy and the film really does push the sweetness and romance of it, although in a much more fairy-tale and Hollywood manner than I expected. This all works and it is enjoyably sweet, but the build-up and the sweeping camera of joy and love did seem like the main focus, with the sonnet just a bridge between these. Technically it is pretty good. The film looks good and makes use of the location; sound is enjoyably crisp and clear, with only one misstep with some impact noise when two characters hug it out a bit.
Personally the approach didn't work for me as well as I would have liked, but it is hard to totally dislike it for its sweetness, youth and sense of hopeful love; even if I have my doubt about the place of the actual sonnet in the middle of all of it.
The plot though covers for this, because it is a fairly sweet set-up as a young man waits with his family to surprise his girlfriend and propose to her. In this context, the talk of love and growth does fit and it worked pretty well. The issue though is that the sonnet is only part of this, and really doesn't feel like the main part of it. As lead actor, Parks feels very natural at the start and end, but goes into "Shakespeare" mode for the actual sonnet; this is understandable and his performance of the text is fine, but I would have loved if he had managed to keep his character while doing it. The supporting cast bring energy and the film really does push the sweetness and romance of it, although in a much more fairy-tale and Hollywood manner than I expected. This all works and it is enjoyably sweet, but the build-up and the sweeping camera of joy and love did seem like the main focus, with the sonnet just a bridge between these. Technically it is pretty good. The film looks good and makes use of the location; sound is enjoyably crisp and clear, with only one misstep with some impact noise when two characters hug it out a bit.
Personally the approach didn't work for me as well as I would have liked, but it is hard to totally dislike it for its sweetness, youth and sense of hopeful love; even if I have my doubt about the place of the actual sonnet in the middle of all of it.