Purely Joyful Movie!

Fresh and Exciting

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

At the age of eleven, little Faith trusts a Ouija board to give her the name of the man destined to love and cherish her, her soul-mate, her Charming Prince, her alpha-male and omega. A few years later, she goes to a fortune teller and the name pops up again, this time, there can't be any coincidence. I saw the film almost twenty years ago and I never forgot the mysterious and unreachable 'Damon Bradley' less a name than a powerful MacGuffin on which Norman Jewison hang countless gags but also some surprisingly powerful moments that would have been remembered a little more if 1994 wasn't such an exceptional year for films.But let's get back to that Damon Bradley guy, a Keyser Soze of rom-com, whoever he is, the name plays almost like a ticket for Faith' heart, which would be silly if it wasn't played with such tenderness and let's drop the word, romantic way. And there's just something about Marisa Tomei's childish smile and innocent idealism that is immune to cynical comments, when she smiles, we want to pinch her cheeks, when she cries, we just want to hug her. She's too cute for words and when we see her for the first time and when we see her for the first time, as a young teacher about to marry a podiatrist, the film makes it clear that a Damon Bradley, he isn't and happy, she is but it's not all fireworks and moonlights. But while she's trying her wedding dress with her friend Kate (Bonnie Hunt), a mysterious caller announces that he won't come to the wedding, guess his name?The temptation is too big to resist, Faith has the name and of all the places to have an appointment, it had to be Venice. Faith is convinced that destiny is on march, she takes her first plane to Venice, looking for Damon Bradley, surely destiny won't defeat her this time. Again, the film contains one of the craziest premises at first stance but who ever said romantic comedies had to be dependent on logic or common sense, as long as the players convey enough sympathy and charm to make us for long for the inevitable and definite kiss. But it will be a long way to that kiss and it will be paved by many encounters, and not the least being a cute American played by Robert Downey Jr. Downey, the perfect co-player with Tomei, cute and quirky, you can't believe these two guys aren't meant for each other, especially since he says he's Damon Bradley.We know it can be true or false but the trick of romantic comedies is that they rely on the unpredictability of both humor and emotions, but humor is something that appeals to the intellect, more than emotions. As a viewer, we're torn between the childishness of Faith who wants everything to happen according to what she believes in and the moments where her faith is shaken and she seems more entrapped than exhilarated in her 'idealistic' persona, the same premise can either be a source of gags or sadness. In other words, the film is funny and makes you think, not that it has any sophisticated pretension or make any statement but it powerfully distorts this notion of 'destiny' and our obsession with finding 'signs' everywhere.Not all the gags and sad moments work the same, there's also a subplot involving Kate's relationship with her husband and a little affair she has with an Italian played by Joaquim de Almeida, and a nice role for Billy Zane before he was that bastard from "Titanic", but "Only You" is another occasion to marvel at the Italian landscape and its propensity to awake the most intense feelings. The film doesn't make a nod, it is a beautiful tribute to "Roman Holiday" and offers a nice twist on the iconic hand-biting scene and also the Cinderella moment where Audrey Hepburn loses her show. "Only You" resuscitates the charm of these old Hollywood romantic comedies where a clever and sensitive script played the part of destiny and all we had to do was to succumb to the charm of a leading couple, coming from the director "Moonstruck", I'm not surprised.In the end, it's not much about Damon Bradley, we all have a Damon Bradley, a mark in the treasure map of our life, a goal that define and determine us, but maybe real destiny is whatever happens to us when we're seeking this, and maybe it'll lead to more valuable treasures. "Only You" is a real little treat to savor as if you were tasting nipples from Venice, it's light and tasty, and if it hasn't the perfect plot or story it has at least the perfect casting and the perfect setting, that's enough.

There's not really that much to say about this film. The highlights: Marisa Tomei is adorable, as is Bonnie Hunt. RDJ is his charming self, and he picks out some flowers and picks out accessories and shoes for Marisa. The lowlights: pretty much everything else.

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. There are comparisons to "Roman Holiday," sure, and not without reason. And yes, the plot stretches the limits of credibility. And there are some plot holes big enough to steer a gondola through. But forget all of that. Every once in a while you need a sweet, fun romantic comedy, and this is one of them. But it isn't the top billed stars, Robert Downey, Jr. and Marisa Tomei, or even the Italian scenery, that make this film worth watching. The real scene stealer, and the best reason to watch "Only You," is the wonderful, and woefully under-appreciated, Bonnie Hunt. She shines in what in lesser hands would have been a throwaway role as the "understanding sister-in-law/best friend/voice of reason" (the kind of role that the major studios keep handing her). She steals practically every film she's in without even trying to. Now that takes real talent, and Miss Hunt has it. (And I defy anybody to see her in another film that doesn't get talked about much lately, "Loggerheads," where she turned in an incredibly moving dramatic performance, and not be affected by her. One of these days, she's going to get another role that will really let her shine.) So do yourself a favor. Get this DVD, a bottle of Chianti, and see this with someone you love, or would like to. And then watch it again, just to see why Bonnie Hunt's name should have received top billing. You won't regret it.

I first caught this movie late one night on TV. I fell in love with the characters and the beautiful Italian setting immediately! Marisa Tomei is on fine form as the beautiful Faith, convinced that everyone has a soulmate and that destiny will bring them together in the end. Bonnie Hunt plays a wonderful supporting role as her sister-in-law Kate, who stands by her friend and follows her to Italy when Faith becomes obsessed with finding her "true soulmate", Damon Bradley, after receiving a call from him in which he told her he would not be able to attend her upcoming wedding to her fiancée. A young Faith had been told by both an Ouija Board and a fortune teller that "Damon Bradley" was her soulmate. When searching for Damon in Italy, Faith (literally) bumps into Peter Wright (Downey Jr) a shoe salesman, who becomes instantly enamored by Faith and tells her that he is Damon. They spend a wonderfully romantic evening together, before he confesses that he is not who he claimed to be. She is disgusted, and immediately goes back to her search for Damon. The rest of the film involves Faith on a mission to find Damon Bradley with Kate and Peter's help, and takes them all on a journey they never expected. This is a gorgeous, romantic little movie and well worth a look. I can't recommend it enough.