Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones in a scene from “Like Crazy.” The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures)
What if the one person you truly loved was thousands of miles and an entire ocean away, barred from entering your country due to a simple violation of one’s Visa? That’s exactly the question Drake Doremus’s newest movie, “Like Crazy” explores.
“Like Crazy” follows two college-aged lovers, Jacob and Anna, through the ups and downs of their long distance relationship. The two begin their relationship after Anna leaves her TA, Jacob, a note on his car. From there, the two fall head over heels for each other spending their last moments of college by each other’s side dreading the impending expiration of Anna’s Visa.
When that day finally comes, Anna makes the bold (and eventually damning) decision to stay in the United States for the summer and continue her relationship with Jacob.
By every means, Jacob and Anna’s relationship is charming.
The two are seemingly perfect for each other as they bond over everything from Paul Simon to good whiskey. However, when Anna reveals that she wants to stay in the U.S. for the summer and defy her Visa, one can only sense the troubles waiting for the couple.
After learning that she is no longer welcome in the U.S., Anna returns to the U.K. thinking that the minor problem will quickly be resolved.
Oh how wrong Anna was.
The rest of “Like Crazy” follows Anna and Jacob as they deal with the repercussions of Anna’s decision. Through quick trips, text messages and tearful phone calls, the two try their hardest to make their long distance relationship work.
Through a series of other relationships, and even a marriage proposal for Anna, the two find their way back to each other’s arms.
With a movie that could so easily have been ruined by melancholy undertones, “Like Crazy” manages to stay light while still telling a heavy story.
The movie’s lead actors, Felicity Jones as Anna and Anton Yelchin as Jacob, are both superbly fit for their roll as love-drunk collegiates. Jones in particular shines on screen. Relatively unknown before “Like Crazy,” Felicity’s take as Anna is honest and makes you feel as if you are watching someone’s diary unfold on screen.
Much credit is due to the director of “Like Crazy,” Drake Doremus. Doremus manages to tell the story in a simplistic manner that relies mainly on the actor’s talents, not fancy camera direction.
As a whole, “Like Crazy” is a compelling feature film that shows just how far people will push themselves to make love work.
