MV5BMmQ2OTA0ZjQtYzg1YS00MDdiLWE1ZjgtNTIzMmI2MGZkZjFjXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMzQzNDgxMw@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_THE BOOK OF LOVE
Director Bill Purple
Run time 107 min

Starring Jessica Biel, Maisie Williams, and Jason Sudekis, THE BOOK OF LOVE centers on the grieving process and how we all cope with love and loss. After a horrible accident, Sudekis befriends a young girl (Williams) who is trying to build a seaworthy raft with garbage she finds around the neighborhood. As they build the ship together, they also begin to help one another rebuild their lives.

Shot and premiering in New Orleans, this film was a charming and heartfelt look at loss and the rebuilding of hope. Sudekis is simultaneously funny and heart wrenching as he progresses through the film. Showing a depth of character and not pulling any emotional punches, he proves himself to be a master of making us see through the character’s eyes.

As Bill Purple’s first feature film, I think it shows great potential for his future career. The movie was visually enthralling, emotionally engrossing, and brilliantly unique. It had a few moments of cliché, but when taken as a part of the film as a whole, they are forgivable lapses in what was otherwise an excellent film. Combined with some excellent cameos and moments of comedic genius.

I truly look forward to this director’s next film and fervently hope that Sudekis continues to take challenging roles such as these. He has a gravitas the Bill Purple captured better than any director Sudekis has worked with in the past. I also have to give a shout out to Justin Timberlake, who created all the music for the film. It added a beautiful dimension to the overall film.
-Bryan VanMeter