Entanglement | Film Review

It took all of sixty seconds for me to fall in love with Entanglement. It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for films that make your heart ache for its main character. Although I knew exactly where Ben’s story was heading, I still found myself enraptured in delight till the final moments. The characters are charming in a way that makes you feel warm inside, and the story offers hints of philosophy to add a bit of intelligence. It was a pleasant surprise that definitely left a smile on my face.

Ben (Thomas Middleditch) has hit rock bottom, as evidenced by his multiple failed attempts at suicide in the opening moments. He’s been through a bad breakup and feels that relationship was his last chance for love. While wallowing in self-pity, he learns from his family that he “almost” had an adopted sister. He becomes obsessed with meeting this woman. In his mind, she will help give meaning to his life somehow. During his search, he meets Hanna (Jess Weixler), a polar opposite from Ben’s awkward, introverted self. The two hit it off almost immediately. They’re a perfect match in that “opposites attract” kind of way. Then things start to get weird. As luck would have it, Hanna may or may not be Ben’s long lost “almost” sister. Thus begins a moral dilemma for him, especially since his therapist and best friend disapprove of his newfound relationship.

Although the finale was heavily telegraphed for me, it never impeded my enjoyment. The characters were fascinating, which is attributed to the performances by Middleditch and Weixler. Both were enormously happy in the presence of the other, which was a stark comparison to the Ben we met at the beginning. Story beats aside, this is entertaining just to watch the chemistry between these two. Sometimes it’s about the journey instead of the destination, and Entanglement offered that for me. That’s not to say I didn’t appreciate the ending. Perhaps I watch too many movies and spend too much time focusing on figuring out plot elements before they happen. Just because I saw it coming doesn’t mean that everyone else will.

The performances were complemented by a very bright visual style that made the film a very easy watch. Ben may be an awkward character, but the cinematography was anything but. Additionally, the dialogue was equally snappy and quirky that made me feel a part of something special. Ben and Hanna feel like real people falling in love in a manner that comes across less Hollywood and more true to life. Director Jason James expertly captures the essence of quirky love by mixing the perfect amount of whimsy to his characters.

“Entanglement” Final Verdict

I fully admit that Entanglement hits most of my personal checklists when it comes to this genre. Even though you may not be sucker for emotionally distraught male characters like me, there’s plenty of charm to be had here. It’s a shot in the arm for romantic movies that feels sorely needed and definitely not your cookie-cutter romantic comedy. While the film may not fall under the category of “perfect date movie”, it could be considered “a thinking man’s romance”. And that’s a fresh take that anyone should appreciate.