Catch & Release was Jennifer Garner's first film after her hit ABC action drama "Alias" had its series finale. It was supposed to be her stepping stone into an industry dominated by phenomenal actresses like Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Natalie Portman, etc. This was the big leagues. Her plan was fool proof. She teamed up with Susannah Grant, writer of Drew Barrymore's Ever After, Julia Roberts' Erin Brokovich, Toni Collette's In her Shoes. Every one of these films followed women who were pioneers of self-improvement, independence, and feminism.
Garner's character, Gray Wheeler, however, spent the entire film depending on the kindness of...men. When her fiance dies, she moves in with his three best friends--two of which are madly in love with her. When the memories of her husband and the secrets that he kept come stumbling out of the sleazy closet, she turns to a man to console her. This was a tale of a broken woman who keeps falling apart with every layer of truth she peels away from her fiance's life. The only part that could be deemed inspirational is that she doesn't allow his dishonesty to make her a bitter, man-hating, malicious woman. If anything, it teaches her how to be honest with herself.
Garner's character, Gray Wheeler, however, spent the entire film depending on the kindness of...men. When her fiance dies, she moves in with his three best friends--two of which are madly in love with her. When the memories of her husband and the secrets that he kept come stumbling out of the sleazy closet, she turns to a man to console her. This was a tale of a broken woman who keeps falling apart with every layer of truth she peels away from her fiance's life. The only part that could be deemed inspirational is that she doesn't allow his dishonesty to make her a bitter, man-hating, malicious woman. If anything, it teaches her how to be honest with herself.
The metaphor behind the title was a reference to fishing, her dead fiance's favorite past time. There are fishermen who hook a big one, take a victory picture and then throw them back in. Gray thinks that isn't as humane as it seems. She thinks that putting a fish through all of that torture just to let them go is actually sadistic. Thus, leading a woman on for a number of years and then throwing them aside like they're nothing is downright inhumane. Lovely metaphor. That's great and everything, but kind of not worth an hour and a half of my life. It literally did nothing for me.
Garner's performance had elements of Sidney Bristow ("Alias") --the pained looks of betrayal--and of Jenna Rink (13 Going on 30)--over enthusiastic displays of happiness. In order to separate her from all the characters she's embodied, I feel she needs a makeover. You can tell that someone isn't really acting like a character, but just like themselves, when they are the same character in every movie, i.e. Owen Wilson.
As for the supporting cast, Kevin Smith played quite the sweatheart, which he does better when he actually has lines. Go figure, him and dialogue have chemistry. Timothy Olyphant was a weird choice for the bad boy turned good. He'll always be that slimy bastard in Scream 2 to me. Sam Jaeger just seemed insignificant--even though his debilitating crush on Gray does play a minor part in the film. He just doesn't leave a lasting impression is all. Juliette Louis is...always weird and talks like she's drunk, which makes her endearing and excusable from needing to have range.
Hence the verdict is: If there was a better cast and maybe a more impressive story line--so earth shattering that I feel the need to bring it up in conversation more than twice--then I'd recommend you to bump it up on your Netflix queue. Alas, it should be cast away to the bottom of the list. Wait for your boyfriend to rip your heart out of your chest. Then commiserate with Gray as much as you'd like. And hell if he has three best friends who are willing to "console" you, go for it.
Garner's performance had elements of Sidney Bristow ("Alias") --the pained looks of betrayal--and of Jenna Rink (13 Going on 30)--over enthusiastic displays of happiness. In order to separate her from all the characters she's embodied, I feel she needs a makeover. You can tell that someone isn't really acting like a character, but just like themselves, when they are the same character in every movie, i.e. Owen Wilson.
As for the supporting cast, Kevin Smith played quite the sweatheart, which he does better when he actually has lines. Go figure, him and dialogue have chemistry. Timothy Olyphant was a weird choice for the bad boy turned good. He'll always be that slimy bastard in Scream 2 to me. Sam Jaeger just seemed insignificant--even though his debilitating crush on Gray does play a minor part in the film. He just doesn't leave a lasting impression is all. Juliette Louis is...always weird and talks like she's drunk, which makes her endearing and excusable from needing to have range.
Hence the verdict is: If there was a better cast and maybe a more impressive story line--so earth shattering that I feel the need to bring it up in conversation more than twice--then I'd recommend you to bump it up on your Netflix queue. Alas, it should be cast away to the bottom of the list. Wait for your boyfriend to rip your heart out of your chest. Then commiserate with Gray as much as you'd like. And hell if he has three best friends who are willing to "console" you, go for it.
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