From my favorite movies..

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

I really like Diane Kruger, but Monica Bellucci in the original is terrific. It's certainly not a coincidence that the name of the restaurant in Wicker Park where Josh Hartnett overhears Diane Kruger's conversation is named Bellucci's!! That's real respect. The french version is full of comedy, this American remake has next to none. It's worth getting a copy of "Le Apartment" if you enjoy this.

Wicker Park (2004): Dir: Paul McGuigan / Cast: Josh Hartnett, Diane Kruger, Matthew Lillard, Rose Byrne, Jessica Pare: Josh Hartnett works at Wicker Park as a digital photographer but the film hardly regards this. Rather it embarks upon the disappearance of his lady love who he discovers two years later. He is now engaged and about to close a business deal but he seeks answers. With striking Chicago locations director Paul McGuigan presents numerous surprises. One of Hartnett's best performances as a guy tortured by the disappearance of his girlfriend and the agitation in his search for answers. In his search he ends up juggling three different women, one whom he desires, one whom his desire long since died, and one whom left him feeling betrayed. Diane Kruger plays his past girlfriend in a role that is mysterious and only figured out in the end. Great supporting work by Matthew Lillard as Hartnett's best friend whom works in a shoe store, and doesn't realize that his girlfriend hasn't the love to return that he has given. Rose Byrne play's Lillard's girlfriend who is a strange theatrical actress, but she becomes involved with Hartnett after one captivating encounter. Jessica Pare plays Hartnett's fiancée who can only suspect that he will not remain faithful and that her life in family union is not for him. Mind bending film about regret and that considered lost. Score: 8 / 10

Released in 2004, "Wicker Park" is a drama/mystery/romance about a young Chicago advertising executive (Josh Hartnett) who falls in love at first sight with a woman (Diane Kruger), which leads to a growing relationship that abruptly ends. Meanwhile his best friend (Matthew Lillard) starts dating a woman (Rose Byrne) who is more – or less – than what she appears. Jessica Paré and Christopher Cousins have small roles. This is an extremely well-made movie with a "hip," kinetic flair, but a convoluted, non-linear story that makes your head spin. While it's not as effective as other non-linear movies, like 1994's "Pulp Fiction," the last act ties everything together and is pretty impressive, but it's almost tiresome till then, although things perk up when Rose Byrne appears early in the second act. Anyway, it's just mind-boggling to think of all the details the filmmakers had to keep track of to put the story together and make it make sense in the end. The movie explores the "love at first sight" phenomenon and the crazy things love or obsession make people do. The film runs 114 minutes and was shot in Chicago, Montreal and New York City. GRADE: B-

I haven't seen the (highly regarded) original French film "L'Appartement" of which "Wicker Park" is a remake, but there is one specific plot point - the non-use of cell-phones - that seems to be carried over from the 1996 film and is much harder to swallow in 2004. Also, the ending is a tad conventional. Other than that, however, "Wicker Park" is a very good movie: visually hypnotic, emotionally compelling, and intellectually challenging. It is put together like a puzzle, jumping back and forth in time, with a remarkable attention to detail; midway through it even shifts perspectives and makes you re-consider who is actually the main character in the story! Josh Hartnett is fine, but Rose Byrne steals the show with her affecting performance. An underrated film. *** out of 4.