REMEMBER ME - Pattinson Does James Dean

REMEMBER ME (romantic drama)
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, Tate Ellington, Ruby Jerins and Pierce Brosnan
Director: Allen Coulter
Screenplay: Will Fetters
Time: 112 mins

Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)

De Ravin and Pattinson in REMEMBER ME

PREAMBLE: What is a love story without a personal tragedy or two to jerk the tears or tug the heart strings? Now, how about three?

The third tragedy, however, comes in the shock ending.

The thrust of the movie is obvious. It is a vehicle for Twlight heart-throb Robert Pattinson whose teen idol status seems bound to fill the cinemas at least in the first few weeks.

THE SKINNY (Spoiler alert!) The movie opens at a New York subway station in 1991 where we see a tragic event involving 11-year-old Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin). Fast-forward to 2001 introduces Tyler Hawkins (Pattinson), who is days short of his 22nd birthday. Tyler is shown as a disturbed and rebellious kid, having dark thoughts about his older brother, Michael, who committed suicide six years ago.

Tyler meets Ally through his room-mate Aidan (Tate Ellington) and they hit it off even though the boy has a history with Ally's cop father (Chris Cooper). Their romance also involves Tyler's adoring younger sister, Caroline (Ruby Jerins), and his dad (Pierce Brosnan) whom Tyler has an axe to grind. And just when we thought things are going to be all right for everybody...

HITS & MISSES: Much of the movie's problems has to do with the banal scripting by first-timer Will Fetters. The dialogue is pedestrian and the characters, especially Ellington's Aidan, seem contrived. Pattinson's impersonation of James Dean may be appealing to his teenage fans but he has the charm of a rich-and-spoilt street urchin. Adults in the audience may find his tantrums over-contrived.

The only portrayal that is endearing is Emile de Ravin whose chemistry with Pattinson can be sparkling at times. Brosnan and Lena Olin, as Tyler's parents, are mainly forgettable cameos. The ending will either blow your mind or leave you numbed with embarrassment.

THE LOWDOWN: Strictly a Pattinson vehicle.