Jackie & Ryan (2014) Reviews

• Fascinating world of street music and great actors

  supermaggie2016-06-07

  If you expect a Nicholas Sparks romance you will be disappointed. If you expect a movie about a couple who have to fight conflicting circumstances and arguments with parents/ex-partners etc. you will be disappointed. But if you do not see it as a romantic comedy but go with the flow of the story that takes you into the world of train-riding street musicians (and single mothers), you will have a good time. And I was impressed by the actors musical skills. If you shy away because of the music style: I myself am not much of a Country music fan, but the music is rather melancholic ballads like (the main song reminded me extremely of) Red Hot Chili Peppers' Road Tripping. I must admit I am a bit prejudiced since I've liked Katherine Heigl a lot from/since Roswell (hated Grey's anatomy, though, silly love stories and mean comments in the face of human tragedies - disgusting) and Ben Barnes from/since Bigga than Ben, but the director is so great, I am sure you will be charmed by the movie even if you are not big fans of the actors. I was glad the romance was kept to a minimum and did not expect the movie to have so much atmosphere. Well-done!

• My Kind of Movie About Reality Today

  successexpress2015-07-28

  I've read the other reviews and agree to a point but this is a great movie based on human experiences that we can all relate to. Aren't you all tired of movies about rich people going through different dramas? I know I am. This is a "Down to Earth" reality check for a lot of us struggling to survive in this debt ridden society. Humans will survive this storm of servitude. We will finally come to realize that life is so precious and the people we care about are the only reason why we have a reason to wake up in the morning. This is an example for other movie studios to follow. Relate to your audience or just be another wanna be hit. Just my thoughts.

• Pretty good, but the screenplay is a bit weak

  BasicLogic2015-07-03

  I don't think this film is a great one but somehow it's a good one; good enough to allow you to sit through to the end. Ben Barnes played the Ryan role and performed it with depth. Katherine Heigl played Jackie, also did a good job. But both of them were blocked to be great just because the screenplay (the storyline, the scenario, the plot) was too weak to be evolved into a greater movie and allowed them to become more memorable. Heigl also looked a bit older than Ryan in this film, but since she already got a daughter and under lot of stress to dissolve her marriage, looking older was acceptable. All the songs in this film were not bad but same as the script, all fell short for deeper, more moving and more touching songs. Those lyrics and melodies were also a bit vague and monotonous, short of passion. Ben indeed played guitar well, but his voice was not great, too thin and too narrow without depth and resonance either. This is a watchable but not great film. I gave it 7 just because I like Ben Barnes a lot. If he could find better scripts and better roles, he could be great. By the way, the girl who played Jackie's daughter was a cute little button, very lovely.

• A True Reflection of Reality

  tinlok-573322015-08-11

  This is my first time to write a review (This movie makes me do so). Most people find this movie boring and without memorable scenes, but I was impressed by how the movie brings out the bitterness of life. Jackie and Ryan both pursued their music dream (Jackie used to be), but they took totally different paths. Ryan keeps perusing his music dream as a street singer while Jackie chose to get married and gave birth to her lovely daughter. The story is about how they met and how they supported each other during hard times and how their relationship grew. Although there are no special and memorable scenes like other movies do, it told us something important and I was impressed and love this movie so much. No matter what choice you have made, there is no right or wrong and most importantly, life goes on. There is no "what if" in life and we gotta go forward. We only look back when we wanna know how much progresses we made. There are always regrets and darkness in our lifetime, but we still gotta move forward and finally, we see hope.

• Genuine

  SaarahN2016-05-22

  Love me like you do follows two individuals, Jackie and Ryan, as they deal with the struggles of life. Jackie tends to reflect on her life, her past, what brought her there and the choices she has made, whilst Ryan is all about going forward, where next? Ryan is the good-natured, young, traveller. Jackie is a stuck-at-home single mother. They both share a passion for music, Jackie has lived the dream, it didn't go well. Ryan has yet to pursue his, he's patiently seeking it out. What happens when their paths cross? Simple, they help each other. They believe and inspire one another: Jackie inspires Ryan to write his own songs, to be an original. Ryan helps Jackie to move on, and to believe in herself. This was another thing I liked, as well as how the characters are able to be independent of one another- there is none of that all too common mourning, clinging behaviour. They are accepting of one another, especially in the case of Jackie- she understands Ryan and his travelling, train hopping habits. She is strong, she can survive without him. This is a powerful message, which Katherine delivered exceptionally. Do Jackie and Ryan fall in love? That, I'm afraid, is an answer best left to interpretation. I'd like to think they do but, just as easily, they could be passers by in one another's lives, a friendly encounter. This film is so very endearing, Katherine Heigl has always been a favourite of mine, she's such a great actress, her smile, alone, can win her any part. She was very fitting for this role, and there was definitely on screen chemistry between her character and Ryan. A good pair, but I felt their relationship (on-screen) would be better off platonic. The casting choices were a success, even the child actress (played by Emily Alyn Lind) was far from the usual irritating, annoying, cheerful child. It was real, and I loved it. The country themed music (my favourite genre) was beautifully reflective. Before watching this film, I had some reservations- in the end, I watched it because of Katherine Heigl (of course!). Initially, I had thought this would be a romantic comedy, I'm not against those at all, but it was still a pleasant surprise to discover this was different. It wasn't very drama filled, nor was it comedic (at all), I'd have to say it was one of those self discovery type of films, it was very similar to Before we go (starring Chris Evans) I wouldn't watch it again, but only because I feel as though the novelty of the film would no longer exist. Now for what I didn't like: Jackie was portrayed to be sensible in the rest of the film, but she invites a stranger into her home, said home also houses her child and her mother. It was a ridiculous idea, he may have helped her but that doesn't make him any less of a stranger. Another thing is that Jackie was fighting to maintain parental custody of her child, this is a difficult fight for her but it's not too clear if she succeeds. There is no celebration and it did seem a lost case but...I don't like this being left to interpretation. Another thing I didn't like was Jackie's prior romantic relationship (with her soon to be ex husband) as there was no explanation for its failure. I suppose I like knowing everything, my curiosity was unsatisfied, that's all.