Although it does not cover any new ground, Catherine Zeta – Jones reminds audiences that she is a very capable actor. Pursued by the younger Justin Bartha who portrays the slightly adrift Aram, The Rebound presents an almost believable romance punctuated by moments of charm and comedy in equal measure. Written and directed by Bart Freundlich, The Rebound is poised for a 2010 release in the United States.
Romantic Comedies in New York
A recent divorcee at the age of forty, Sandy, played by Catherine Zeta – Jones, becomes a single mother of two trying to piece her life back together. She lands a job at a sports network, finds an apartment above a coffee shop, and is then suggested by her friends that she needs a quick rebound relationship to get back on her feet. Justin Bartha’s character, the twenty – five year old Aram, also in the process of divorce, is underemployed at the coffee shop while failing to live up to his parent’s expectations. Through innocent beginnings, they eventually fall in love, though will they make it last?
The Rebound has several supporting characters, many of which are forgotten half way through the film. Aram’s parents play comic relief well, while Sandy’s children become scene stealers. The strengths of The Rebound are Aram’s interactions with Sandy’s children and Catherine Zeta – Jones discovering Aram’s charms. As Aram becomes the nanny for Sandy's children, their relationship blossoms, and while they touch the question of age differentials, the issue is never really explored. Aram has great interaction with the children, but the chemistry between the two main characters is somewhat lacking although they are both played charismatically.
The Rebound is Redundant
Uma Thurman’s movie vehicle Prime explored the same topic of an older woman dating a younger man several years ago denying The Rebound a feeling of novelty. Also, while on a night out with Aram’s young friends, the sequence plays like an old Sex in the City episode where Carrie also dates a man in his twenties. Despite this, The Rebound has a certain earnestness, and while a montage towards the end is a bit cloying, it also has a certain charm.
The Rebound is well – acted and there are several moments of well written subtle comedy. There are disappointments when the film plays too hard for laughs and literally makes use of toilet humor. The Rebound could have utilized more of the subtle humor used well by some characters instead of going for shock value comedy which is pervasive in many mainstream films today. Given the lack of enjoyable romantic comedies lately, The Rebound is enjoyable entertainment.
The Rebound was released internationally in 2009 and will be released in the United States in 2010.
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