a review of

Almost all 3 of these stars are for Jennifer Lawrence's bold performance; the movie only works (when it does) because she's as good as she is in it. There are a few moments with her and Robert Pattinson that really cook, so the remainder of those 3 stars are for him. (I don't think it would've worked as well at all, but there's a part of me that just wonders if there's a world where Kristen Stewart in the Lawrence role instead would've made those scenes sizzle. Like Leo and Kate doing Revolutionary Road after setting a table with Titanic, y'know?) Anyway, there are some story issues I have that hold me back from loving it. Maybe I'm supposed to have those issues, or maybe this just isn't for me.