More Drama than Laughs

The only reason I added Catch and Release to my Netflix cue was because Kevin Smith had a big acting part in the movie. It doesn't hurt that the very attractive Jennifer Garner is the female lead, but I confess Smith was the main draw for me. Other than that, I didn't know much about the movie, and maybe that's why I was surprised CAR turned out to be more of a drama than a comedy.

I won't spoil anything for you, but the laughs were few and far between, while the melancholy and the drama permeated the whole movie. I wasn't ready for that, but I still liked the movie enough to watch it in its entirety without being bored or feeling restless.

The funniest thing was that I didn't know where the story was supposed to take place, and early in the movie I saw a street that startled me into recognition. "I've been there!" I exclaimed. "I think." I gave it some thought, and I concluded it looked like Boulder, CO, a suspicion that kept growing as I sighted some Boulder posters and I meditated about the fact that fly fishing was featured somewhat prominently in the film. Then I saw another street, and I was certain that was Boulder because I had absolutely walked down that same street a couple of years ago. This jolt of recognition was really cool, and it made watching the movie a more enjoyable experience.

In the end, I thought CAR was okay, but it is the kind of movie you're not missing much if you don't see. If you're a Kevin Smith fan, though, I would suggest checking it out, if only to see Smith basically play himself and have a good time. Plus, the movie is kind of cute and not too long. With such a stellar review, who could say no?