Movie/TV Show Being Reviewed:
Love Happens

Reviewer:
Cheryl Wolf

Genre:
Drama

Movies/TV Shows:
Movie

Suggested Age Range:
Parental Guidance

Age Range Explained:
Rated PG-13 for some language, including sexual references

Subject Headings:
Grief & loss, Spiritual journey

Review:
"Love Happens" is the story of self-help author Dr. Burke Ryan (Aaron Eckhart) and his journey to help others deal with grief. Unfortunately, he does not take his own advice in dealing with the death of his wife; when he visits Seattle for another week-long workshop, he runs into more than he expected. While he pushes others to work through their losses, he is confronted with the ghosts of his own past. This movie weaves together the struggles of Burke’s workshop participants as well as his own. His romantic interest, Eloise Chandler (Jennifer Anniston), seems to be the push Ryan needs to face his demons and come clean with his secrets.

Whereas this movie is light-hearted and interlaced with a budding romance between Burke and Eloise, and business dealings with multimedia publishers, there are valuable clips that can be highlighted in discussing the grief process in a counselor education classroom or directly with clients. Burke’s father-in-law struggles with the death of his daughter and the lost connection with his son-in-law; Walter, a workshop participant works through the compounding effects of the death of his son, resolution of his marriage, and the loss of his career; and Burke grapples with the events surrounding his own wife’s death. As each character deals with their hurt, they learn that being honest with themselves and letting go of the past will help them move forward and find happiness again. Although death can be devastating, each finds the hope and strength to start healing.