London (2005)

How does it feel to be left by your girlfriend/boyfriend? What is the pain like? Have you ever tried to describe it? Are there different levels of pain? Is mine greater than yours? These are the questions posed by London, and makes for an interesting experience while trying to answer them.


Chris Evans portrays the shat upon boyfriend, who after six months of a break-up, is still having trouble dealing with the emotional pain. The story takes place mostly at his ex-girlfriends' going away party, which he decides to attend uninvited. He installs himself in the bathroom with Jason Stathams' character, a banker and part-time cocaine dealer, and they both consume vast amounts of drugs. We're led along the highs and lows of the relationship through a series of flashbacks and philosophical discussion.

Relationships are tough, they're never perfect. In several flashbacks we see the innocent, trodden boyfriend being a veritable jackass with his girlfriend while arguing on the topic faith/religion, in others we see him spoiling her with expensive gifts, unable to express himself otherwise. The two cocaine-addled minds revolving around this subject culminate in a "who suffers more" battle, which plays out interestingly. In the end, he emerges from the bathroom in an attempt once again to sway his beloved from leaving.

London succeeds in its relationship with the viewer, dealing with a subject most people can identify with. It suffocates the heart, brings waves of nostalgia for those who can relate, and makes an effort to use those cliché phrases we've all lived through. The message isn't uplifting, but in the end, a learning and thoughtful movie.