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The movie is an exhausted retread of the old campus romance gag where the pretty girl almost believes the lies of the reprehensible schemer, instead of trusting the nice guy who loves her. The only originality the movie brings to this formula is to make it incomprehensible, through the lurching incompetence of its story structure. Details are labored while the big picture remains unpainted... I was appalled by the poverty of its imagination.

Roger Ebert#23

FilmLoveGenreStructure

About this quote

What does it mean?
The reviewer calls the film a tired campus romance retread, poorly structured and unimaginative.
In plain terms
The movie rehashes a cliché romance with incoherent storytelling.
What can you take from it?
Lack of originality and clear structure can ruin a familiar genre.

Where it applies

  • when a romance film feels formulaic
  • in critiquing weak plot development

Putting it to work

  • identify overused tropes
  • suggest narrative clarity

Questions to consider

  • Why do some films rely on overused formulas?
  • How important is narrative coherence in romance movies?

Another view

The critique may overlook any minor strengths the film possesses.

More from Roger Ebert

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