Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
An acclaimed writer, his ex-wife, and their teenaged children come to terms with the complexities of love in all its forms over the course of one tumultuous year.
Stuck in Love is a warm, well-acted indie family drama that benefits from a charming ensemble (Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Collins, Nat Wolff) and an affectionate portrayal of a literary family navigating love and loss. The interwoven storylines — father pining for ex-wife, daughter guarding her heart, son chasing first love — are engaging but follow fairly familiar indie dramedy beats. The writing-world backdrop adds some texture but doesn't fully distinguish it from the crowded coming-of-age/dysfunctional-family genre. Cinematography is pleasant and adequately captures the beach house setting without being visually distinctive. The ending is satisfying and emotionally honest without being particularly surprising. A likable, competent film that doesn't quite transcend its genre conventions.