By Hanna McGuire
Managing Editor
Everyone knows that stealing is morally wrong. But taking someone’s thoughts and ideas and portraying them as your own takes stealing to a whole new level. With its twists and turns, “The Words” explores how plagiarizing can be life-defining in a very impactful manner.
Directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal creatively examine the difficultly of making it in the literary world. The audience is introduced to seemingly unrelated characters but later discover that their relationships are hugely important and paralleled. Despite causing some plot confusion, these vague relationships ultimately leave the film’s viewers wanting to see more.
Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper) has always dreamed of writing the perfect novel. While on his honeymoon with his wife Dora (Zoe Saldana), he comes across a briefcase with a worn-down, unpublished novel. After being turned away from every publishing house and relying on his parents for financial support, Rory decides to re-type the story he found in the briefcase.
When Dora reads the novel and insists that he send it to his publisher, Rory’s life changes dramatically. The novel, “The Window Tears,” is a success. Rory doesn’t realize that he is being watched by the man (Jeremy Irons) who actually wrote the book.
Cooper and Saldana bring “The Words” to life. Their relationship is not only believable, but relatable as well. The audience can appreciate how the couple remains strong, despite financial struggles in Rory’s career. The film builds up their relationship, then forces the audience to interpret how the two end up, which is both frustrating and interesting.
After playing a troubled writer in “Limitless,” Cooper is a natural in showing the publishing world as competitive and self-depreciating. The viewers end up going on this emotional rollercoaster with Rory as he fails to find success in his writing but gains notoriety from a novel that isn’t his.
Some of the only downsides to “The Words” is the confusing plot, the overwhelming characters and the strange relationships, making the viewer out of place.
For example, the relationship between novelist Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) and Daniella (Olivia Wilde), an intelligent graduate student, seems wrong throughout the entire film. There is a large age difference, making their interactions seem strange to the viewer. Hammond could have easily been played by a younger, more appropriate actor.
Besides some confusion, “The Words” offers an interesting perspective on the life of a writer. Cooper and Saldana give excellent performances, giving the audience a reason to root for them.
“The Words” is an enjoyable film that will constantly force the audience to question what is reality and what is fiction.
“The Words” is rated PG-13 and is playing in theaters across the nation.
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