"This is a smart movie, full of astonishing reverses and switchbacks, and it adroitly walks the thin line between too clever by half and not clever enough by three-quarters." Stephen Hunter WASHINGTON POST "What begins as a pleasantly utilitarian thriller gradually decays into a mediocre suspense drama and ends as an irritatingly feeble love story called Wicker Park..." Aaron Hillis PREMIERE MAGAZINE "The result is a mess, but it's fun to watch it explode." Geoff Pevere TORONTO STAR "While it's refreshing to see a thriller that doesn't fit the usual mold, a couple of actual thrills would have been nice." Loey Lockerby KANSAS CITY STAR

"a melancholy mess of a movie where attractive people act like idiots for a few hours, all the while performing as if they were in a murder mystery or a ghost story." Sean McBride, SEAN THE MOVIE GUY "Visually interesting enough to make up for several weak plot points." Scott Nash THREE MOVIE BUFFS "I am giving it thumbs up because of a very attractive cast and they do a wonderful job with what they got." Richard Roeper EBERT & ROEPER "Once we understand the principle [if not the details] of the plot, Wicker Park works because the actors invest their scenes with what is, under the circumstances, astonishing emotional realism." Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

At A Glance

"A romance that isn't romantic and a thriller lacking thrills." Roger Moore ORLANDO SENTINEL

"Oh dear, oh dear what have they done? Those who produced this dowdy film have not only outsmarted themselves but 99% of the audiences who take in "Wicker Park". Too many clever moves, too many switchbacks, too little chemistry. About the only saving graces for "Wicker Park" are Matthew Lillard and Rose Byrne. They can do precious little than swim with the tide of distraction." For the average cinema-goer that's the kindest description I can honestly give "Wicker Park". I could have used stronger words such as crap, timewaster, disaster or woeful, but these days I'm trying to string together my criticisms with a touch of style rather than a heavy handed oafish approach. Like "Wicker Park", let me just do a little switchback here (having warned off 'average joe' cinema-goer). Let me now concentrate on those who love this genre of convoluted, juxtaposed, 'arthouse' stylized production, which generates precious little box-office bucks, yet leaves those faithful few who patronize them gushing with praise and filled with a zelous desire to tell all and sundry how clever both the film was, and they are. "You'll love it!" But back to 'average joe', the box-office punter to whom every dollar is precious. Honestly guys, do you want to sit through just under two hours of rubbish in which the main character, played by Josh Hartnett, gets around with a doeful, strained look on his face as though his proctologist's finger is up his arse? No bloody way! Schmucks like me have to do it. But you don't! And please don't think that I am in any way belittling your ability to discern between a good film and a bad film. Both you and I know, even the best can get sucked in. Now if you want to have an each way bet, or you've seen everything else at the multiples or megaplex, at least have the common sense to take it in on the discount day. That way, when you leave the theatre, it won't seem as painful having parted with a smaller proportion of your salary. While the industry would like to see every theatre full at every session, in this case the old saying "bums on seats" could prompt some to say of "Wicker Park", "it's a pain in the arse!" Having explained away the 'the bad and the ugly' side of "Wicker Park" there are as I've pointed out some highlights buried amongst the mess. Australian actress Rose Byrne co-stars as Alex, a troubled young woman, whom it seems has some pressing [depressing] personal problems. Alex is involed with both Matthew [Hartnett's character] and Josh [Matthew Lillard's character]. Byrne, who first came to notice when "The Goddess of 1967" saw her awarded the 'Venice Film Festival' Best Actress Award, and who recently graced the epic "Troy", seems to always stand out no matter what she appears in. Often compared to an actress I believe is Australia's greatest export [and most accomplished screen actor] Cate Blanchett, Byrne is once again a pleasure to watch. Byrne is of the few things the production team got right about "Wicker Park". "Rose had been pointed out to me as a star on the rise, and we read her for "Wicker Park" very early on," says Producer Gary Lucchesi. "We always thought she had tremendous potential to infuse the character of Alex with something special." That may have been so , "But I never heard back from the producers or anyone," says Byrne, "so I put it out of my mind." The turning point came when Paul McGuigan came on board as the film's director. Byrne recalls that a few days after meeting with McGuigan "they called to tell me I got the part and gave me the start date. As for her character Alex, Byrne plays her cards close to her chest, citing the fact that to say too much world reveal too much. She did however admit, "I've never played anyone who lying constantly, so it's been quite a challenge." Her work in "Wicker Park" impressed me as it did McGuigan. "Rose has been a revelation to me," he explained adding, "and the rest of the world will soon feel the same." Also joining my 'the good' list is another young, up and coming talent, Matthew Lillard, better known to cinema audiences for his comedy roles. Most will spot Lillard as the face of Shaggy, in the comedy hit "Scooby-Doo" and "Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed" and more recently as Jerry Conlaine in yet another comedy, "Without A Paddle". It's a different Lillard this time round and it couldn't have come at a better time. "Coming off "Scooby-Doo", "Wicker Park" was a great opportunity for me to flex another kind of acting muscle," he said. Lillard says the film offers "another chance to do what's apealing about acting in the first place. It's the great thing about our jobs. We get to go from one extreme to the other. We get to play in different worlds and use our imaginations in different ways." And Lillard certainly accomplishes that in his role as Luke. The contribution he made wasn't lost on McGuigan. "Matthew is so funny, but he's also a great actor," McGuigan said. "He brought a really nice, light touch to his part." Lillard obviously enjoyed the experience of working with McGuigan saying, "Paul is one of the best directors I've ever worked with. He's so gifted." It's a pity then that, in the end, even being gifted can't save "Wicker Park". Crew Bytes "Wicker Park" is based on the French hit "Le Apartment. "Wicker Park" was .......
directed by Paul McGuigan ["The Reckoning", "Gangster No 1" and "The Acid House"]; screenplay by Brandon Boyce ["Aces", "Green and Black", "Serpentine" and "Backwater"]; original screenplay by Gilles Mimouni ["Le Apartment"]; costume design by Odette Gadoury ["Snake Eyes", "The Bone Collector", "Two Thousand and None" and "Secret Window"]; production design by BAFTA Award winner Richard Bridgland ["Swing", "Resident Evil", "Alien vs Predator" and "Richard III"]; edited by Andrew Hulme ["The Reckoning", "Gangster No 1", "The Acid House" and TV's "Lonely Planet"]; director of photograhpy Peter Sova ["Good Morning Vietnam", "Diner", "The Reckoning", "Tin Men" and "Gangster No 1"]; original music by Cliff Martinez ["King Of The Hill", "Gray's Anatomy", "The Limey" and "Traffic"] produced by Tom Rosenberg ["The Human Stain", "The Gift", "The Mothman Prophecies" and "Runaway Bride"], Gary Lucchesi ["Primal Fear", "Virtuosity", "The Mothman Prophecies" and "Underworld"], Andre Lamal ["200 Cigarettes", "The Human Stain", "Autumn In New York" and "Box Of Moonlight"] and Marcus Viscidi ["The Real Blonde", "The Hunted", "Double Whammy" and "Shop Girl"]. Casting About "Wicker Park" stars .......
Josh Hartnett ["The Faculty", "Pearl Harbor", "Black Hawk Down" and "Hollywood Homicide"]; Copa Volpi Award winner Rose Byrne ["Two Hands", "The Rage In Placid Lake", "I Capture The Castle", "Star Wars Episode II", and "Troy"]; Matthew Lillard ["Serial Mom", "Scream", "Scooby-Doo", "Wing Commander" and "Thirteen Ghosts"]; Jessica Paré ["Gorilla", "Dangerous Acquaintances", "Bollywood - Hollywood", "Napoleon", "Stardom" and "Lost and Delerious"] and Chopard Trophy winner Diane Kruge ["The Piano Player", "Michel Vaillant", "Mon Idol", "Troy" and "National Treasure"] as Lisa. The Story It's two years since Matthew last saw Lisa. It was a perfect relationship, or so it seemed. Then, on the day Matthew asks her to move in with him, she disappears. Now he has rebuilt his life and moved on. Or has he. He is about to be married. About to score his first major account after meeting with the head of a major Chinese business. But then something strange happens. He catches a glimpse of woman, a woman who looks like Lisa. Suddenly he is confused. He's supposed to be on a plane to China. It's his big break in life. But for Matthew there are questions unanswered. He begins a twisting, obsessive search for the woman he lost two years ago. The Verdict "If you didn't get "Solaris" then there's little hope that you'll fing "Wicker Park" all that exciting. Convoluted, uneven, wrenching from one moment to another there is little that is noteworthy for the average cinemagoer. Josh Harnett fails to make the cut and Diane Kruger [who showed in "National Security" that she can work with good material] fails miserably as Matthew's lost love Lisa. The saving grace for "Wicker Park" falls into the hands of Matthew Lillard and Australia's Rose Byrne whose characterisation of Luke and Alex adds meat to an otherwise dull, dismal, lack lustre film. Best left for those who like a juxtaposed, convulted film in 'the art-house' genre." The Cast

Josh Hartnett Rose Byrne Matthew Lillard Diane Kruger Christopher Cousins Jessica Paré Vlasta Vrana Amy Sobol Ted Whittall Isabel Dos Santos Joanna Noyes Kerrilyn Keith Mark Camacho Marcel Jeannin Stéfanie Buxton Stanley Hilaire Zhenhu Han Lu Ye Christian Paul Gillian Ferrabee Frank Fontaine

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Matthew Alex Luke Lisa Daniel Rebecca Jeweller Ellie Walter Chamber Maid Mary Female Customer Bartender Theater Director Ticket Agent Stage Manager Mr Hong Ms Hsia Orsino Robin Priest

The Crew Directed by Paul McGuigan A remake of the Gilles Mimouni film "L'Appartement" screenplay by Brandon Boyce Produced by Andre Lamal/Gary Lucchesi/Tom Rosenberg/Marcus Viscidi Original Music by Cliff Martinez Cinematography by Peter Sova Film Editing by Andrew Hulme & Peter Kwong Production Design by Richard Bridgland Costume Design by Odette Gadoury Run Time 114 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - 20th Century Fox & MGM/UA - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved