Have you ever watched a romantic comedy so hilarious that you laughed to the point of blinking tears? And, when you were just about to claim this flick would be your TOP 10 favorite romantic comedies, BANG! there came a twist so bad you shouted “what?” reflexively and you were still in shock after its closing credit was rolled out.
Rebound is such a movie. Everything was funny for the first 70 minute. The story certainly fulfills many women’s fantasy: a cute 24 years old guy falls in love with a newly separated 40 years old woman. Their first encounter is comical. The guy is witty, gentle and the woman’s two kids adore him. He is perfect except for one flaw—he is naive and still lives with his rich parents. The flaw is overlooked when the love affair is still pink and hot. But, as demanded by all the romance stories, their love must be tested. What’s the obstacle? An unexpected pregnancy (“I almost always pulled out,” said the guy – erh? why not use a condom?) which leads to break-ups because the woman realizes how immature her lover is. Of course, being a romantic comedy, the guy will prove he has grown up and the two can live happily after. And, it is where the movie goes wrong.
The heart-broken guy goes on a soul-searching travel around the world, does volunteer work, hugs underprivileged kids, and goes back home with tanned skin and thoughtful eyes. Then, the pair runs into each other in a fancy restaurant. The guy mentions he has travelled around the world to impress the woman. Then, since maturity needs more than that to prove and the movie is running short of time, a dark-skin boy runs to the guy and calls him dad. Yes! To prove he is mature and responsible, he adopts a kid! A kid! From the third world! How pretentious that is.
Because movie watching is a way to escape from reality, I don’t think all characters in the movie lives affluently unreasonable. Neither do I find picturing voluntary work as a mean of finding your life’s purpose in exotic countries inappropriate. At least it helps recruitment. But, isn’t it over the top to indicate adopting a kid from the third world can be a proof of maturity. Parenthood does not necessarily make someone a better or responsible person. So, how can children adoption prove a man knows how to be responsible for his own life? It was just horrifying to see how the movie portrays a human life as if it is an accessory for showing who its owner is.
I like to watch a frivolous movie on a holiday because I am too lazy to work my brain muscle. However, a movie too frivolous can also force its audience to race their little grey cells.