My love for film often goes way beyond that of the typical moviegoer. I can get into a sappy romance, a puerile comedy, documentaries, or a totally gross out horror with equal enjoyment. I just enjoy them on different levels. The bottom line for me is that the movie just has to be good. So for me to say that I liked "The Lake House" shouldn’t surprise anyone, but I do have a few nitpicks. "The Lake House", for those who might have missed it, reunites Keanu Reeves with Sandra Bullock as time-crossed lovers. Based on the Korean film Siworae, "The Lake House" has a rather unusual premise. Bullock stars as a doctor who has been living in a rental house by a lake. Being a rather pleasant type of person, she decides to leave a little welcome note in the mailbox for the next tenant.

Reeves plays an architect who moves in and finds the note. However the note is dated 2006, and being that it is still 2004 figures it's some kind of joke. Amused, he decides to write back and his note is then found by Bullock's character who has decided to hang her hat at the lake house again. So begins a pen pal relationship in which both accept the fact that they are living their lives two years apart.

As far as movies go, the fact that the plot is so odd is really what keeps it alive. I cannot give much credit to Reeves, who plays the part like he plays every other… a wooden soldier in need of some animation. Bullock pretty much 'drives the bus' as it were, much as it was when the pair last shared the screen in the action thriller "Speed." I do wish the producers had chosen an actor with more charisma and talent, if for no other reason but to draw the audience's attention away from and eventually accept the 'magical' foundation of the story.

Obviously this is what the filmmakers intended, as the characters too easily accept the fact that it is possible to communicate from two different times. We are supposed to accept the fact as well, because it is never explained. A stronger leading actor would have made an easier distraction, causing the audience to care more for the character's dilemma than the circumstances under which they are living. For the sake of the story though, I am glad that they chose not to explain away the how's and why's, because honestly I believe anything they would have come up with would have taken more away from the more important aspect of the script, which was the relationship.

Warner Brothers is releasing "The Lake House" on DVD this month and I have to commend them on the transfer. Since the movie is first and foremost a romance, the wonderful cinematography involving the surrounding area around the house has a very romantic feel to it. There is an annoyingly small amount of extra features though. We get only a handful of deleted scenes and outtakes. No commentary by the director. Even though commentaries aren't always my favorite feature, those times that a director is well spoken makes for a wonderful additional experience to seeing a film.

"The Lake House" might have gotten a stronger recommendation from me if there were a stronger lead actor and/or some better special features. But as it is, I'd suggest it more as a rental than a keeper. I will add that it would make a great Saturday night date movie.

Directed by: Alejandro Agresti
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dylan Walsh, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Christopher Plummer
Extras: Additional Scenes and Outtakes, Trailer
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 9/26/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG (Some Language and a Disturbing Image)
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We'll give The Lake House a C.