It's frustrating reviewing something like Two for the Road because I can absolutely see the positives here. This movie has wit and complexity and intelligence and a fantastic performance from Audrey Hepburn. And yet my praise can only go so far, because I wasn't particularly moved by any of it.
My main issue is the central relationship. I just can't find much chemistry or warmth in this couple. And while I can acknowledge that romcoms don't have to be sunshine and rainbows in order to be successful, this one veers a little too far in the other direction for my liking, to the point where you start to wonder what these two even see in one another. When that happens (especially in a way that doesn't feel intentional), it can make for both a dour comedy and a tedious drama.
And then there's the non-linear storytelling. I really want to praise this aspect, as it's both creative and often quite funny, but I think it ultimately does more harm than good. The narrative bounces around so frequently and arbitrarily that any sense of growth or progression is mostly lost. Maybe that's the point (relationships often stagnate, after all), but it only served to exacerbate my apathy.
Grade: C+
P.S. Another possible explanation for my not being a fan: Albert Finney's voice was like nails on a chalkboard to me. Can't say this was a familiar occurrence; I've never had a problem with the guy before. But I thought he was genuinely insufferable here.
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