Watch Dedication

The 2007 romantic comedy-drama Dedication stars Billy Crudup, Mandy Moore, and Tom Wilkinson in leading roles. The film, directed by Justin Theroux and written by David Bromberg, follows the story of Henry Roth (Billy Crudup), a misanthropic children's book author who struggles to find meaning and purpose in his life after his writing partner and best friend, Rudy (Tom Wilkinson), suddenly dies.

Henry's life takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to work with Lucy (Mandy Moore), a struggling illustrative artist with whom he has a love-hate relationship. Initially, Henry is skeptical of Lucy's talents and finds her presence annoying. However, as they begin to collaborate on a children's book, the two of them develop an flirtatious and endearing bond, which blossoms into a romantic relationship.

As the story unfolds, Dedication takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of Henry and Lucy's journey. Despite his initial reluctance, Henry begins to find new life in the work he does with Lucy, and he slowly regains the inspiration and passion that he had lost after Rudy's death. Along the way, Lucy's challenging journey to become a successful artist is also explored, and we get glimpses of the dark and difficult parts of her past that have shaped her into the person she is today.

Throughout the movie, the performances of the three lead actors shine through, with Billy Crudup's portrayal of Henry being a standout performance. Crudup expertly captures the character's quirkiness, snarkiness, and vulnerability throughout the film. Mandy Moore also delivers a strong performance as Lucy, finding the right balance between sweetness and edginess in her character. Tom Wilkinson's portrayal of Rudy provides a heartfelt and poignant performance that cements his important role in the film's story.

Beyond the strong performances, the cinematography and directing in Dedication are also noteworthy. Particularly impressive are the segments that blend reality with animation, which really bring the children's book characters to life in a touching and engaging way. Additionally, the movie's score, composed by Ed Shearmur, effectively heightens the emotions of the film's most important moments.

Overall, Dedication is a well-executed romantic comedy-drama that provides heartwarming moments while still exploring the deeper themes of loss, purpose, and redemption. The film strikes the right balance between drama and laughs, providing defining and endearing characters that make it worth watching. With its touching storyline, expertly crafted performances, and standout cinematography, it is a film that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.

Dedication is a 2007 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 50.