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Plot Summary
Jennifer Garner stars in Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy-drama Catch and Release, from writer-director Susannah Grant,
an Academy Award® nominee for her screenplay for Erin Brockovich. After the sudden death of her fiancé, Gray Wheeler (Garner)
finds comfort in the company of his friends: lighthearted and comic Sam (Kevin Smith), hyper-responsible Dennis (Sam Jaeger), and,
oddly enough, his old childhood buddy Fritz (Timothy Olyphant), an irresponsible playboy whom she'd previously pegged as one of the
least reliable people in the world. As secrets about her supposedly perfect fiancé emerge, Gray comes to see new sides of the man she
thought she knew, and at the same time, finds herself drawn to the last man she ever expected to fall for.
(from RottenTomatoes.com)
| | Film Review
I think I may have gotten slightly suckered into seeing this film. When I originally saw the preview for this film many moons ago,
as well as a detailed follow up on IMDB.com, I'll admit that I wanted to see it. So, needless to say, originally there was
something there.
Catch and Release tells the story of Gray Wheeler, a woman who is unfortunate enough to watch her wedding day grimly become
the funeral of her fiancé, Grady. Despite the gravity of the situation, Gray's two friends try make the medicine go down a lot easier for
her with their humorous acts. Making the situation slightly more difficult, however, is the introduction and slightly over-the-top antics
of Grady's best friend, Fritz. Eventually, Fritz's 'antics' begin to woo a recovering Gray- and well, the rest is history. Your typical
love story, right? Wrong. Throw into the mix yet another secret admirer of Gray's and the struggling consequences of starting a new
relationship- plus, the possibility of a child Gray may have had during their relationship with someone other than the man she was committed to.
It goes downhill from then on.
I have to admit I've got a bit of a 'thing' for Jennifer Garner, so I was eagerly anticipating this film despite my prior
reservations from loved ones. At first glance, the film finds presents us with a slightly disappointing love story with a hopeful ending.
The loose bare bones construction of the movie is definitely unique, something of an original story. To say I didn't find the love story
slightly enchanting would be a lie. I did enjoy the fact that Gray was able to get a second shot at love. The friendship that Gray shares
with her two friends is priceless, as they both do crazy and sometimes bizarre things to cheer her up. Also, when Grady's former lover
comes to stay with the rag-tag group, she is eventually accepted and shown grace as if she were already part of their circle of friends.
Teamwork, loyalty, and friendship are lasting messages this film readily communicates.
However, the film treads murky waters when it latches on to what they portray love to be. A skewed picture of lustfulness and sex
mars what could have been a more pure and clean picture. Sex is lazily cast about as if it is the only true and real way to express your
love and emotions to someone, even outside of marriage. Several times I had to roll my eyes or gag over the fact that Gray would end up
again and again in bed with Fritz. It seemed like a regular habit that took up way too much screen time. Also worth noting is a bathroom
exchange between Fritz and another girl that leaves little to the imagination of what they are doing, what with sound effects and all.
Notwithstanding, while there was a genuine longing for love on Gray's part; she never seemed to be able to catch it. Both her and Fritz
went to great lengths to try to get each other's attention; especially Fritz, who had to first convince Gray that he was worth her time,
and then woo her. I applauded his efforts, but I had to wonder at the same time if it was all done just to get her in bed with him?
The movie shouts loud and clear the opposite of what I wanted to hear.
Besides the slew of sex (don't get me wrong, we don't see a whole lot of it; it's just portrayed and hinted several times as the
select lifestyle between Fritz and Gray), there is nothing else of real bother. Language is not a problem, alcohol use is somewhat high
with Kevin Smith's character Sam flying to the fridge for a beer often (albeit quite comically). A few characters try to find escape
by overdosing on medication, but thankfully to no avail.
Hard-pressed to find a romantic comedy to watch these days, I went to go see Catch and Release, but unfortunately my tastes
were not met. Though I did laugh (hence the comedy) at the humor that Sam and other characters gave off- I found the romance part of the
film a let down. Love had lost its value and sacredness in the world that Gray and Fritz existed in, and as a result, was traded in for
a scant emotion based on sex and lust.
If you have any questions or comments about the film before you see it (if you
decide to), feel free to e-mail us.
- Zachary Anderson
(reviewed: 1/28/07)
Parental Guide: Quick Summary of Content
 Sex/Nudity: Heavy. Quite a bit of innuendo or sexually-related dialog
is spread throughout the film; At her fiance's wake, Gray hides in a bathroom bathtub
and draws the curtain. Fritz then comes in with another woman and has sex with her (while they're fully clothed) with her on top of
the sink with him between her legs. There's some movement and we repeatedly hear her yelling "Sock it to me" as the scene is meant to be humorous
(because they don't know Gray is secretly there); Gray discovers Maureen and her fiance' were having an affair and discovered Fritz had lied to her.
She smacks him and after she tries to smack him again, they begin passionately making out; Gray says she "made it" with a girl once;
Gray climbs in bed with Fritz, who begins to unbutton her pajama top. The two have sex but the scene is dimly lit and some movement is
seen but no nudity; Another scene shows Fritz roll off of being on top of Gray with them both being out of breath after sex (we only see her bare
shoulders and him without a shirt); Maureen gives Sam a massage (somewhat sensually) and ends up touching his crotch area (a cartoon her son is watching has sound
effects that mimic what she's doing to Sam, which is all for comedic purposes). She stops when she feels bad for doing stuff to him with
her son in the room; more random sexually-related dialog is exchanged
Vulgarity/Language:
2 'abbreviated' uses of the "f" word (ex. literally "Eff You" and "Effing P-O-ed"), 1 "g*dd*mn," 5 "s" words, 4 "J-sus," 4 "a" words, 3 "h*ll,"
2 "d*mn," 1 "cr*p," 14 "G-d," 11 "Oh my G-d," 1 "Oh L-rd," at least 1 "b*tch"
Alcohol/Drugs:
Sam drinks a lot and mixes vodka with sleeping pills in one scene to try to kill himself (but doesn't succeed), others are shown drinking
and we see characters drinking in a bar in a scene, etc
Blood/Gore:
None.
Violence:
Most of it is played for laughs including Sam and Dennis fighting over carrying Gray after she fell asleep from sleeping pills;
Sam and Dennis fighting over a carpenter's wood planer; Gray slaps Fritz once (in anger) and he stops her from doing it a second time; Dennis
throws a wine bottle against a wall in anger.
** Disclaimer: All reviews are based solely on the opinions of the reviewer. Most
reviews are rated on how the reviewer enjoyed the film overall, not on content. However, if the content
really affects the reviewer's opinion of the film, it will definitely affect the reviewer's rating.
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** (see below notation)
- for sexual content, language and some drug use.