By Jamil Oakford/editor-in-chief
Top billing does not a movie make.
Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are back together for Serena after their incredibly successful performances in Silver Linings Playbook. But unfortunately, the spark doesn’t seem to be the same.
Photo courtesy Columbia Pictures
Serena centers on Pemberton, the head of a timber empire during the Depression era.
It’s not far into the movie when Serena, the blonde beauty majestically riding her horse through town, enters the picture. As soon as they’re married, he uses Serena’s knowledge of timber and incorporates her into his business.
The federal government’s push to shut down Pemberton’s logging location and convert it into a national park serves as the main conflict.
That is the first of many issues that emerge between Pemberton and his timber business and eventually between him and his new wife.
Serena isn’t a great movie. It’s just under two hours, but it feels as though it lasts longer.
Worse than how it lags, it lacks in a key area: the love story of Pemberton and Serena. Audience members hardly have time to understand their relationship before it’s confirmed they’re married and he’s allowing her to step into his business.
The scenes are beautifully shot, and the scenery itself can’t be beat.
This film is currently available for stream on Amazon Instant Video for $9.99 or for rent on Vudu at $10-13. But wait until Vudu puts it on sale or see if Amazon Instant Video offers a discount because it’s definitely not worth that much.
