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Love Happens
2009 109 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★5.1
Drama, Romance
Director: Brandon Camp
Trailers
Description
Dr. Burke Ryan is a successful self-help author and motivational speaker with a secret. While he helps thousands of people cope with tragedy and personal loss, he secretly is unable to overcome the death of his late wife. It's not until Burke meets a fiercely independent florist named Eloise that he is forced to face his past and overcome his demons.
Budget:
$18M
US Gross:
$22.97M
Worldwide:
$36.1M
Starring
Jennifer Aniston
Actor
Aaron Eckhart
Actor
Dan Fogler
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
Love Happens is a polarising drama that draws sharp criticism for its uneven tone and perceived clichés, yet finds favor with viewers who appreciate its exploration of grief. While opinions on the quality of the script are deeply split, there is a general consensus that the film is misidentified as a romantic comedy by its marketing.
| Acting | Aaron Eckhart delivers a compelling, layered performance that effectively captures the duality of a man presenting a facade of healing while hiding profound personal guilt. | |
| Originality | The film suffers from a fundamental marketing disconnect, consistently confusing audiences who enter expecting a lighthearted romantic comedy rather than a somber drama about grief. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure and character motivations—specifically the protagonist’s erratic behaviors and self-help philosophies—are often viewed as contrived and psychologically unconvincing. | |
| Acting | Jennifer Aniston’s performance divides opinion, with some viewers praising her grounded emotional work, while others criticize her for relying on familiar mannerisms that lack depth. | |
| Emotion | The film’s attempt to blend serious themes of mourning with light romantic elements is seen by some as emotionally resonant and honest, while others dismiss it as manipulative and banal. |