Thought it was about time to bring back one of my favorite columns… Movie Monday. And I have my dear friend JohnJohn (and this weekend’s storm) to thank for today’s movie pick. Stuck in Love.

I will be honest. Judging on title alone, I would have passed on this one but I am so grateful I didn’t. This delightful little film traces the story of a family : John and Erika Borgens (played by Greg Kinnear and Jennifer Connolly) who have separated but still seem to love one another; Sam, the promiscuous daughter (played by Lily Collins) who has just received news that her manuscript will be published and Rusty, the loving son (played by Nat Wolff) who is a bit awkward and looking for self and love himself.

Greg Kinnear’s character is an accomplished novelist and thus his dialogue weaves in excerpts from some of his favorite works. The one that stuck with me most is the following: “I’m not sure what it is that compels a person to continue to play make-believe even after they are an adult. My favorite book is a collection of short stories by Raymond Carver, called “What We Talk about When We Talk about Love.” And in the closing line of the title story, Carver says, “I could hear my heart beating. I could hear everyone’s heart. I could hear the human noise we sat there making. Not one of us moved. Not even when the room went dark.” And I think, that is what writing is. It’s listening for that beating heart and when we heard it. It’s your job to decipher it to the best of our abilities.”

This movie reminded me of what it takes to make any relationship, whether parent/child, sibling, or lover, work. If you are looking for an easy, not-too-complicated plot line, I’d highly recommend Stuck in Love. Will restore your faith in relationships too, I promise!