Wicker Park (2004) User Reviews

Agree -- better than expected!

[mei-7 · 8/10 · 26 December 2004]

I hadn't heard of this film before seeing it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was suspenseful, even "gripping", with a touching and romantic plot. Overall, a movie definitely worth renting.

The film begins a bit slowly but picks up very nicely about 30 minutes into it. There are a few twists and turns that will keep your attention. The acting was quite good, albeit with little-known actors except for Josh Hartnett of Blackhawk Down.

The best part of this film was the clever way the story all comes together towards the end, including the flashback style which was very well done.

If you like this version, the original French movie will definitely impress you

[coolatheart · 7/10 · 3 August 2017]

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.

good movie, overall - totally unexpected

[aishahansari · 8/10 · 26 July 2004]

well went to see this movie at it's screen test, where at the end, we had to answer some survey questions about the movie. before going in to see the movie, i thought it would be just another romantic movie but i was soo wrong...

the pace of the movie was just right...with flashbacks and character intro and perspectives on certain situation during the movie was quite interesting to see, plus how the story unravel very much satisfied me as it was totally unexpected...just amazing, plus the camera works/effects just so cool to watch...

i must say this is not your usual love story and it sure will appeal to all movie-lovers and it's just amazing!

A glimpse of stalking

[livewire-6 · 11 September 2004]

I've just come back from seeing what I think is one of the best movies of 2004. I found the story fascinating, the look stylish, and the music haunting.

"Wicker Park" is a tale of obsession on many levels. It is told partly in flashback, so that you have to piece the events together and figure out how far back the action of the film began -- what is now and what was then. The director uses split-screen techniques that enhance the look and feel of the film, lifting it from the realm of the ordinary to the plane of art. A haunting theme weaves its way through this labyrinth of lies, leading to a satisfying (because inevitable) conclusion.

I saw the film with two friends who were of a very different opinion. They found the film "convoluted" and "clichéd". I disagree. It was easy to tell what was flashback and what was here-and-now. But the story is complicated (not convoluted) and does require some sorting out. As for being cliched, I found the film quite the opposite. It could have gone in some trite, hackneyed directions but didn't. And while some people might think the ending is the cliché of all clichés, I thought that, emotionally, it was absolutely right and the only possible way to end the film.

I loved "Wicker Park" so much that I would willingly see it again, to get a better sense of how the story is put together, and just for the sheer pleasure of its look and sound. You might say I too am obsessed.

This is a movie that works in spite of itself

[Krillian · 6/10 · 7 October 2004]

WICKER PARK

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Rose Byrne, Matthew Lillard, Diane Kruger. Director: Paul McGuinan.

***

This is a movie that works in spite of itself. It was marketed as a Single White Female type thriller, but it's really more of a somber reflection on obsession. If the main characters had email, the movie would be over before it started, but the character study and emotional investment by the actors overcame the convoluted plot.

The movie goes back and forth in the timeline, cutting between present day and two years ago. Two years ago, Matt (Josh Hartnett) fell in love at first sight with Lisa (Diane Kruger), and he would follow her for a while before he had the courage to approach her. In the present, Matt is engaged to be married, but when he thinks he sees Lisa across a crowded room, he loses her, but he skips a business trip to try to track her down.

As we watch the two timelines, we're left wondering. Why did Lisa disappear on Matt the first time? When finally does find Lisa, it's a different woman. Have we entered Mulholland Drive territory?

Josh Hartnett, whom I can take or leave depending on the movie he's in (I took him in Black Hawk Down, I left him in Hollywood Homicide), brings a real sincerity to his character's inner struggle. Rose Byrne is also really good as the dark-haired Lisa. Matthew Lillard is effective as the wise-acre best-friend, showing subtleties the role of Shaggy would not permit. Diane Kruger, the blond Lisa, is about as forgettable as she was as Helen in Troy.

Once it was all over, I'd say a good 25% of the audience was laughing at the plot contrivances, but sometimes a movie can overcome obstacles as basic as its story. Rated PG-13 for sexual situations.

A Shallow and Corny Remake of a Great French Film

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 16 October 2005]

In Chicago, the former photographer and presently advertising executive Mathew (Josh Hartnett) is closing a business in a fancy restaurant with a Chinese representative, when he sees a woman that looks like his former passion Lisa (Diane Kruger). Two years ago, Lisa and Matthew had a love affair, and Lisa simply vanished when Matthew invited her to move with him to New York, where he had the invitation for a better job, and Matthew is still obsessed for her. Matthew decides to follow Lisa, and when he meets her, he realizes that Lisa is indeed another woman (Rose Byrne) with the same name. Matthew stays in Chicago with his friend Luke (Matthew Lillard) and decides to investigate the mystery.

On 16 October 2005, when I first saw this remake, I wrote the following review:

Although having a confused screenplay and too much coincidences, "Wicker Park" is a reasonable tale of obsessive love. The script, with many flashbacks, has many flaws and coincidences in a huge city like Chicago. The character Daniel is badly developed and disappears from the story, without any explanation whether he killed his wife or not, how he involved with Lisa and their relationship. The two lead actresses (Diane Krueger and Rose Byrne) are extremely gorgeous and together with Josh Hartnett, they show a great chemistry and make the romance work. The music score is great, and in the end, this film is a good entertainment. My vote is six.

Yesterday (08 March 2011) I saw "L'Appartement" (1996) for the first time and now I have a totally different opinion:

"Wicker Park" is a shallow and corny remake of a great French film. The screenplay resolves some points that are not clear in the original movie, but the adaptation of the story is developed in fast pace and loses the mystery and the romance of "L'Appartement", forgetting details and characters.

The worst of this remake is the detail of communication. "L'Appartement" is a 1996 film in Paris, meaning neither cell phones nor e-mails were available at that time. Therefore, communication was based on phone booths or letters. This remake takes place in Chicago and the characters have cellulars. This single premise would be enough to destroy this remake. But the screenplay writer needs to provide explanations and give a happy ending, destroying the puzzle and discussions about the European film.

Comparing the two films, I dare to write that "Wicker Park" is a "fast food" and "L'Appartement" is a refined feast. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Paixão à Flor da Pele"("Passion Near Skin")

An underrated masterpiece.

[dead47548 · 9/10 · 2 March 2008]

Exceeded my large expectations. One of the best films of 2004 with my personal Oscar win for Best Actress. It's an extremely compelling and unique mystery thriller with intricate characters and a storyline that could easily become absurd and convoluted but feels natural and McGuigan allows the viewer to be fully aware of what's happening. It never gets too far ahead of the audience but it doesn't drag for a second. The editing is flawless and meshes the present with the not-so-distant past perfectly. Josh Hartnett delivers a surprisingly emotional performance and adds another strong performance to his recent resume that has really transcended him from the horrific heartthrob clique he was placed in when he first came onto the scene into a serious, talented actor. But the real star of the film is the beautiful Rose Byrne who, as always, delivers a knockout performance that is easily one of the best of the decade. She takes this psychopathic character and somehow makes her immensely sympathetic. I actually found myself rooting for her to be with Matt. Simply with her eyes she portrays this wounded, internally saddened character effortlessly. As I always am when seeing her act, I was completely entranced and amazed. A stunning performance in a brilliant film.

Lisa

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 22 May 2006]

Somehow the remake of a better French film should have been avoided at all costs. This film has a disorienting feeling the creators have given it as the action takes place in a period of two years. Some viewers will be lost as they watch the story unfold backward, then leap forward without making a lot of sense.

The story of Matt and Lisa is told in flashbacks. Matt's obsession when he sees Lisa again, after some time, proves to be too much for him, as he has to go back and find her. Matt, who is going to marry the ambitious Rebecca, falls into a trance like state when he follows the clues that will take him back to Lisa. The fact that Alex, a woman who likes to impersonate a friend who has been too kind to her, plays into the plot until everything comes together when Matt finally finds the love of his life.

"Wicker Park" directed by Paul McGuigan sets the action in Chicago during the winter. Josh Harnett, Diane Kruger, Rose Byrne have some good opportunities in the film.

An surprisingly good film.

[queenalanna2424 · 9/10 · 6 September 2004]

It was a lazy Sunday night and the only movies playing were Wicker Park and Super Babies Baby Geniuses 2. Well, I picked the film with a more attractive cast.

After about the first thirty minutes of Wicker Park I was laughing because it seemed like this was the most absurd movie I had ever seen. However, as the film progressed the laughter subsided and intrigue ensued. By the last thirty minutes of the film I was hooked. When it was over, I was surprised that a movie that had started out so poorly ended up being one of the better films I have seen in a while.

If one sees this film, I recommend he/she be patient. I found the overall experience, despite the bad beginning, to be quite good.

4/5 stars

If all people were THAT stupid...

[claudiagutulescu · 1/10 · 8 January 2007]

The world would come to an end. I can understand how in the 13 th century or something someone could loose somebody, because of the communication channels or whatever. But to think that two people who have mobile phones, have each other s addresses can simply get lost because of a maniac is to much. And what was with all those coincidences. The bad person is always in time for everything. The stupid idiots that love each other are always late, missing in action. And what if he went to China and THEN fix his problems??? Was that a problem. ANd how come the Chinese people never called if it was such an important meeting?? I don t even want to start about the airport scene. Embarrassing...

Conclusion: thank God we re not all that stupid!!!

An intriguing surprise...

[tsim0227 · 10/10 · 17 April 2005]

I enjoyed this movie on its face and found myself wanting to watch it again upon its conclusion, which very rarely is true for me. Most movies, including the ones I consider amazing, require the passage of several years before I might entertain the idea of watching them again. This was different, and will perhaps be better understood once you have seen the movie. It's like a puzzle I want to put back together on my own.

***SPOILERS*** Part of what I found most wonderful about this movie was that I was able to walk away from it not really considering ANY of the four major characters as "the heavy." Also, some preconceived ideas I had did not come to pass. For example:

MATT: Throughout the film you see him balancing his value system against his desires, sometimes successfully, sometimes not, but I got a sense that this guy wanted terribly to do the right things. Matt's going to see the play with Luke just because it mattered so much TO Luke is but one example

LISA: Didn't want to like her, didn't want to understand why Matt's feelings for her were as strong as they were. I had believed it would just be a sexual pull she exerted on Matt & this was not the case--I got it.

Luke: Played appropriately in places as almost shallow & buffoonish, I still got a sense that this guy was a truly good person & despite his fumbling hipness, he really wanted to be a great friend and to care about someone at a much deeper level than it appeared at first glance. I liked his forgiveness of Matt for having been out of touch for 2 years.

ALEX: Her conflict throughout the movie could have played well to her ultimately being labeled a psycho, but I felt great empathy for her (especially toward the end of the movie) at having been caught up in an emotional roller-coaster that drove her decisions throughout the movie. In one of the final scenes where she confesses her sins, so to speak, to Lisa, I felt especially rewarded that she was so much more than just a lunatic--and was, indeed, NOT crazy-- and that the character was an Anybody who could have been caught up on the thorns of an overwhelming desire.

Also, I enjoyed the friendship between Matt & Luke and how it remained intact and viable throughout the film. I think Matt's losing touch with Luke for 2 years was also symbolic of his having lost touch with himself.

And the final scene between Matt & Lisa was satisfying to me--I REALLY wanted them to find each other again, and the emotional elements of this moment in the characters' lives was depicted beautifully.

Finally, what a painfully lovely moment with Rebecca, when Matt is telling her what has happened, and what has been true for him since he thought he'd lost Lisa, when she said (and I'm DEFINITELY paraphrasing),"You want me to...know WHAT? That I'm not the girl who can break your heart?"

Haven't we all felt THAT before?

Elegant and clever mystery

[gridoon2024 · 7/10 · 14 December 2014]

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.

call me on my mobile

[pearly_uk · 1/10 · 9 November 2007]

I have just one major comment which makes this whole movie plot retarded, The two lover main characters can't for the love of god seem to be able to contact each other throughout the whole movie even though both have mobile phones which they use to call the whole freaking world except each other!!! ...eeeehhhm....

Apparently the girl had to leave for Paris in such a hurricane of a rush that she wasn't able to give her boyfriend any notice except from the letter she gave to a total stranger ...riiiighht...

this is the perfect advertisement for AT&T, just show people this film and end it with the comment, "you don't want these totally ordinarily events happening to you?! buy a freaking' mobile phone!!"

Is Wicker Park worth your money?

[futbruin · 5 September 2004]

Wicker Park Pretty much keeps you guessing the whole time.When your watching the movie you would think you have it all figured out you'll be surprised how wrong you could be.This is one of the best movies i've watched this year. The most entertaining movie i've watched this year is most definitely this one it actually keeped me guessing up till the end.Even though this is to be a physcological thriller it is also funny here and there and is also kind of sad.With this said Wicker Park is definitely worth your money.This is not really a family movie but it's good and with Josh Hartnett in it even better.Don't wait to long to watch it,you'll like it.

Great Love Story

[whpratt1 · 7/10 · 10 July 2007]

This film had a great film location in Chicago and the photography was outstanding. Josh Hartnett, (Matthew) is an advertising executive and engaged to his bosses daughter and they plan to get married in the near future. However, Matthew one day finds himself looking at girl from a distance and believes she is a girl he was romantically involved with and is still in love with her. This girl is played by Diane Kruger, (Lisa) and once this couple meets again there is no way you can separate this couple and they quickly become very much in love with each other. There is also a young gal named Alex, (Rose Byrne) who is really stalking Matthew without him even realizing what is going on and Alex manages to capture his attention and he goes to bed with her. There are many flashbacks through out this picture and it becomes rather complicated at times until the picture reveals some very dark secrets that Alex has been keeping a secret.

Overbearing and glossed up to the max, but pretty good

[lagriff05 · 7/10 · 19 August 2007]

This movie is ideally a romance/mystery type movie for the soft of heart, and it does what it intends to do very well. If you're the type of person who needs a lot of sappy, heart-to-heart, weepy romance films in your life, then this movie is definitely one you should check out, because it's actually a very good weepy romance movie. The love-square that erupts through the course of the film is a complex one, but it doesn't feel fake or contrived, so they get points for that. Director Paul McGuigan is certainly intriguing in his methods here; choosing to tell the story in a half-Memento-esquire enigma, veering back and forth between flashbacks and the present day. It's initially extremely confusing, but you get the hang of it about halfway through and realized what has been going on. Very cool style of directing, and it would work a lot better with a five-star film.

If I had to pick at something, it would be the fact that this film is absurdly pretentious and showy, with little reason for it to be such. The minute I saw the words 'film noir' written on the back of the DVD box, I figured there would probably be some level of self-gratification somewhere in this movie, and I was right. It's not necessarily a detractor, and it might seem odd to some people, but Wicker Park carries with it a 6 inch thick sterile, polished gloss over everything else. This movie really wants to impress you, and it really wants to show you how cool it can be with the stylized and pompous style of storytelling and the overly dramatic and emotional performances, but it just doesn't work for me that well, not like it tries to.

There are several plot-holes, as well, and that certainly doesn't help much. This is a confusing movie, and even though most of it makes sense by the end of the film, some things are just left as dead ends. For instance, what of this "Daniel" character? I don't think that was ever revealed, even though his name was mentioned several times throughout the film in different contexts (Lisa's ex-boyfriend, then someone she needs to call, and also Alex/Lisa's stalker?). They could've just left his name out of the movie, but in the typical Memento fashion (though botched here), they left it open-ended and confusing as hell. Also, the number of coincidental ways our two lovers never meet up is staggeringly high, and one is left wondering how it was so hard for the two of them to find each other in a modern day world of computers, email, and cellular phones. I could go on and on, but the plot-holes here make the movie far more time-consuming than it should be.

But overall, if you're not a critical person, and you just want a good romance/thriller type flick to curl up on the couch for on a lazy winter evening, then this is a good pick. It's not the most solid film, and it definitely relies on style more than substance to create it's palette of ideas and emotions, but it's interesting and nothing too bad at all. Recommended if you think this is your thing.

beautiful movie.

[danger4545 · 10/10 · 20 September 2004]

this movie was absolutely beautiful in every aspect of the word.

the camera-work is extremely well done, and, despite some comments, the plot has no real holes. everything is revealed with perfect timing, and the songs absolutely heighten the emotion of each scene. the characters were eccentric and go to such great lengths for love. i love that. not only do we end up seeing that Alex has motive, we can almost relate to her....although we do not agree with her actions, she becomes more vulnerable and human to the audience.

the best thing about this film is the intensity of the love we feel between matthew and lisa. the anguish they have felt the past two years from being unknowingly torn apart by a vindictive and crushed "friend" of lisa's.

and the end of the movie is perfect, when they see each other for the first time in two years, after a desperate four day search.....she turns, there is the feeling of disbelief, realization, then they just melt into each other and take it all in. i loved it.

this was the first movie i've seen in the theaters in a long time that i came away with SO much more than i had expected. i've recommended this movie to everyone i know, and everyone who's seen it who i know has felt the same way i do....maybe not with as much passion as i do.....but similar.

quality, quality film....ahhh, the day it comes out on video, i'll be the first in line to buy it.

Good movie

[sallybrat · 7/10 · 31 January 2004]

Saw this one in a movie preview, but it didn't have a title then. It's a great story and I would definitely recommend it. My only qualms with it, and I wrote this in my review when I was at the preview was at there was totally unnecessary nudity. This would be a great movie for teens and students, but the nudity would make me regretful of showing this to minors. Who knows though, maybe they listened to my comment and edited some of it out. I hope so. I am not against nudity, but it was totally pointless in the movie from my point of view. I will go see it again when it comes out and it will be interesting to see how its changed, if it has. But even with the nudity, the story makes up for it big time. I only say that if you want to take younger people, just be on the ball, and when you see something that looks like it might get frisky, just cover their eyes.

It worked for me

[londonaaron · 8/10 · 1 January 2005]

8 out of 10

Wicker Park was definitely enjoyable for me. The main reason being that I felt the pain of Hartnett's character and the joy at the end was so beautiful. Although I don't ever hope this happens to me.

I thought Diane Kruger gave a mild performance. I wasn't sold of her love. But Rose Byne did a splendid job. She sold me easily as the crazy-emotionally-wrecked character.

Because of this I definitely will go out of my way to see L'Apartment. I recommend this film to anyone who wants to see a film that shows how cruel love can be, but at the same time how wonderful love can be!

Awesome movie

[tomsilvester · 6/10 · 29 August 2005]

this movie was absolutely beautiful in every aspect of the word.

the camera-work is extremely well done, and, despite some comments, the plot has no real holes. everything is revealed with perfect timing, and the songs absolutely heighten the emotion of each scene. the characters were eccentric and go to such great lengths for love. i love that. not only do we end up seeing that Alex has motive, we can almost relate to her....although we do not agree with her actions, she becomes more vulnerable and human to the audience.

the best thing about this film is the intensity of the love we feel between matthew and lisa. the anguish they have felt the past two years from being unknowingly torn apart by a vindictive and crushed "friend" of lisa's.

and the end of the movie is perfect, when they see each other for the first time in two years, after a desperate four day search.....she turns, there is the feeling of disbelief, realization, then they just melt into each other and take it all in. i loved it.

this was the first movie i've seen in the theaters in a long time that i came away with SO much more than i had expected. i've recommended this movie to everyone i know, and everyone who's seen it who i know has felt the same way i do....maybe not with as much passion as i do.....but similar.

DITTO

An Inferior Version of a Much Better French Film

[mar3429 · 5/10 · 10 September 2006]

I've just completed viewing The Apartment (L'Appartement) and Wicker Park back-to-back on the same day and conclude that the original film is almost two times better. I rated The Apartment a nine, while Wicker Park earned a 5 in my ratings.

I watch a lot of films, but don't consider myself a film snob. I don't believe that all film must be high art or CINEMA--plain old movies suit me just fine. I will watch foreign films but don't think that they are the be-all and end-all of movies. Some I find to be very boring and pretentious but will watch them nonetheless, hopeful of finding something special and unique. This is how I blundered into The Apartment, based upon the recommendation of another.

I like many different genres of film, including what some men disparagingly refer to as chick flicks. I am a sucker for a good love story and have been since boyhood. Like most Americans raised on our Hollywood traditions, I like a happy ending (especially in a love story!). The Apartment does not fully embrace this tradition (Of course real life does. Right?) and there were things about the ending that I would have changed if I could. Soooo...when I learned that Wicker Park was a remake of L'Apppartement I rushed out to get a copy in order that I could compare and contrast the two.

What I decided, script concerns aside, this film was miscast. In particular this film's Alex and Matthew are not up to the standards set in the original film. In L'Appartement the two characters (Alice and Max) had great chemistry together (horrors!), almost an equal to the chemistry that existed between the Max character and Lisa. This made for a much more complicated and intense relationship between all of the main characters. I don't get the same sense of obsession and desperation that is a palpable characteristic of the earlier film. I miss it because this provides the level of truth that anyone who has ever been in love is well aware of; Love is hard, crazy and complicated. I find it interesting that in both films the relationship that makes the most sense and is the most logical fares the poorest in the viewer's analysis. Max/Matthew's fiancée should be the clear winner among our choices but garners the least rooting interest. Perhaps we prefer our love wild, crazy and dangerous. Just an observation.

This is not a bad film. I enjoyed watching it. However, if you get a chance, rent the L'Appartement and do your own comparison test. I purchased copies of both today, but I know which one I will be viewing most often.

Good story but has many plot holes

[lao4950000 · 8/10 · 20 January 2005]

"Wicker Park" has the feel of a romantic thriller. The previews make the movie a lot more sensational than it really is. It makes the female protagonist Alex appear like a psycho/stalker/murderer when in effect she is just a more extreme female version of the male protagonist Matt (Josh Hartnett). The plot long story short is about a guy (Matt) who finally catches a glimpse of his lost love Lisa in a restaurant. Two years ago she completely disappears from his life without explanation. She runs out before he has a chance to reunite with her right then and there. Meanwhile Matt is also being chased after by Alex, Lisa's "best friend". The movie parallels how Matt searching around for Lisa is like Alex lying and manipulating in her attempt to steal Matt away from Lisa. Except in the end Lisa returns Matt's affections whereas Matt doesn't not return Alex's feelings. This movie is sweet and nostalgic and that is what covers up all the plot holes. Plothole number one is a shot of Daniel, Lisa's ex standing outside of her apartment watching who he thinks is Lisa (Alex pretending to be Lisa)taking Matt to bed. Someone as jealous as Daniel would later on confront and beat the hell out of Matt but no, this is false foreshadowing as we never ever see Daniel in the film ever again. The second is not so much a plot hole as a criticism. For someone as scheming as Alex how long did she think she could pretend to be Lisa to Matt when she is also seeing Matt's best friend Luke? Obviously eventually they will all meet and Matt will find out the truth. And that is what happens in the film's climatic conclusion. Luke bumps into Matt and finally introduces him to Alex in the same restaurant we started out in the beginning. Everything comes out and Matt sees that Alex screwed her best friend over and pretended to be her in order to steal Matt. The very end is so touching when Matt and the real Lisa finally see each other you could see the pain and longing leaving their eyes as they finally reunite. I would recommend this movie for the touchy-feely emotions it will leave you with but be warned like I said its not perfect with all it plot holes.

A Short Summary of the Wicker Park

[i_dont_need_no_doctor · 7/10 · 6 June 2011]

This movie is absolutely beautiful but ı prefer the L 'apartment which is original version. I think Hollywood didn't scupper at this time. I watched this movie a few months ago and ı like it so much especially josh Harnett. He played his role so well and other females did a good job ı think. The movie gives two times past and present. So you guessed all the time. The film shows that how to people obsessed when they fall in love or broke up the lover. Wp is psychological drama. it is about the obsessive relationship. Wp starts with past how Matt recognize Lisa and how they start with their relationship until Lisa leaves Matt without any explanation. After two years Matt returns the town with new girlfriend who is name Rebecca. At the restaurant he sees Lisa then he tries to find her. He is totally obsessive with Lisa. Then he meets a new girl who is name Lisa she smells like Lisa. Matt hangs out with this new girl because he dreams that she is Lisa but she isn't Lisa she is Alex. She is neighbor Lisa. And she loves Matt so much and also she wants to try to stop Matt to find Lisa . I think women are the most dangerous creature in the world especially when they fall in love=) Some way Matt understand Alex 's plan finally Matt and Lisa find each other at the airport. This last scene is wonderful especially with the Coldplay 's song . Notably last scene affects me so much . WP shows that obsessive personality how people being to obsessive someone or something and when people love someone madly it is driven her or him crazy. It is the scope of the film. I think it is so irritating. Still i like WP as much as l'apartment movie. I offer to watch both of the movies.

Left me itching to leave the cinema...

[Mr-Telly · 1/10 · 13 November 2004]

This film demands your full attention but doesn't deserve it.

The principle character "Matthew" has no redeeming qualities that I could fathom... If the Director wanted the viewer to care about Matthew's love life for two hours it would be easier if Matthew didn't act like a wide-eyed zombie for most of the time...

Josh Hartnett is SO wooden, he should have auditioned for "Team America World Police" or the Gerry Anderson "Thunderbirds" TV series.

Diane Kruger is forgettable (if only Hartnett's character had agreed) but Rose Byrne is a believable psycho and the best thing about the film.

1/10

grave violation of the original version L'appartement

[sparklingcosmic · 14 February 2006]

When i rented Wicker Park (WP) because of Harnette was in it, i didn't know that it was the remake of my most favorite french film, L'appartement which stars Monica Belucci and her husband, Vincent Cassel.

Since the opening dialog, WP brings the spirit of L'appartement with it, so I cannot help comparing the two versions. For those who have not seen the original version would probably think that WP is so original on the story and performance. But it is far from original.

I got so disappointed as i watched further, when I see see the actors in WP do not play as good as the original version. Matthew was supposed to be extremely sad when Lisa the mysterious girl left him, and he was supposed to be very curious when he finds out that Lisa is only a phone booth away. But Harnett fails to do so.

And in this case Diane Krueger doesn't have the mysterious personality, smile nor face that could make Matt wonders where she had gone to for the past 2 years, while Monica Belucci's acting was definitely up the film.

Something is missing in this film, and the actors seems like they don't understand about the plot either. And I think is WP took out the most important thing of the story which is about Matthew's attraction to the fake Lisa a.k.a Alex. In WP, it seems that Alex was the one who seduces Matthew, and that Matthew was forced to attracted to her in the first place. And since WP eliminates most of the substantial details from the movie, (such as the diary which Alex wrote that explains her actions, Lisa-Alex's friendship, and the suspense of Lisa's rich boy friend Danniel) it successfully turns WP into a puzzling unworthy romantic film with Hollywood ending. Especially when Matthew dumps Rebecca on the airport. Like it is so easy to tell your girl friend, that you have been not yourself for the past 2 years.

I suggest to watch the original version first. But then it would probably blow you away and makes you don't even want to watch any future remakes of it.