Finding Life In Death
Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is the All-American kid. He is a star athlete, good in academics and serves in a father role for his younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan).
As the big brother, Charlie makes a promise to help Sam get better at baseball. Charlie’s commitment to his brother is to practice with him daily, just as the sun is setting, until he goes to college on his sailing scholarship. Unfortunately, those practice sessions get cut short as Sam passes away long before he fulfills his promise.
Fast forward 5 years and Charlie has taken over as caretaker at the cemetery where Sam is buried. He has made a decision to continue to play catch with his younger brother and believes that they are meeting daily to continue the ritual. Despite the fact that his brother is gone, he keeps his promise and is there every day.
It seems Charlie is in a funk. The town doesn’t understand how this once promising young athlete gave up his future. They think he is a little off and wonder aloud what is going on to prevent him from progressing.
When Charlie meets a girl named Tess (Amanda Crew) he is forced to move a bit outside of his comfort zone. Tess used to compete with Charlie, but now she engages him in an attempt to learn what really makes him tick. Will Charlie get back on the water? Will he get the girl? And will he deal with his grief?
Zac Efron is dreamy, let’s face it. Women everywhere would see him do just about anything. His role in Charlie St. Cloud allows him to tug on the hearts of fans. Fact is; this role is not a lot different from those that already accentuate his positives. Efron fans will enjoy him here, but truly it feels like a simple extension from the roles he has already played.
Maybe it’s the fact that the film feels very cookie cutter. Maybe it’s a very used genre. But overall, this movie just sits. It’s not terrible but didn’t blow me away either. Will you enjoy Charlie St. Cloud? Well, you won’t hate it. Zac Efron remains dreamy, but Charlie St. Cloud is only something to pass the time with.
B-
Charlie St. Cloud
Universal Pictures
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Zac Efron, Charlie Tahan, Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta
Rating: PG-13 for language including some sexual references, an intense accident scene and some sensuality.
Runtime: 109 minutes.
Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is the All-American kid. He is a star athlete, good in academics and serves in a father role for his younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan).
As the big brother, Charlie makes a promise to help Sam get better at baseball. Charlie’s commitment to his brother is to practice with him daily, just as the sun is setting, until he goes to college on his sailing scholarship. Unfortunately, those practice sessions get cut short as Sam passes away long before he fulfills his promise.
Fast forward 5 years and Charlie has taken over as caretaker at the cemetery where Sam is buried. He has made a decision to continue to play catch with his younger brother and believes that they are meeting daily to continue the ritual. Despite the fact that his brother is gone, he keeps his promise and is there every day.
It seems Charlie is in a funk. The town doesn’t understand how this once promising young athlete gave up his future. They think he is a little off and wonder aloud what is going on to prevent him from progressing.
When Charlie meets a girl named Tess (Amanda Crew) he is forced to move a bit outside of his comfort zone. Tess used to compete with Charlie, but now she engages him in an attempt to learn what really makes him tick. Will Charlie get back on the water? Will he get the girl? And will he deal with his grief?
Zac Efron is dreamy, let’s face it. Women everywhere would see him do just about anything. His role in Charlie St. Cloud allows him to tug on the hearts of fans. Fact is; this role is not a lot different from those that already accentuate his positives. Efron fans will enjoy him here, but truly it feels like a simple extension from the roles he has already played.
Maybe it’s the fact that the film feels very cookie cutter. Maybe it’s a very used genre. But overall, this movie just sits. It’s not terrible but didn’t blow me away either. Will you enjoy Charlie St. Cloud? Well, you won’t hate it. Zac Efron remains dreamy, but Charlie St. Cloud is only something to pass the time with.
B-
Charlie St. Cloud
Universal Pictures
Director: Burr Steers
Cast: Zac Efron, Charlie Tahan, Amanda Crew, Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta
Rating: PG-13 for language including some sexual references, an intense accident scene and some sensuality.
Runtime: 109 minutes.
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