Review - The Life & Death of Charlie St. Cloud...

"Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backwards" - E. E. Cummings

Taking chances in life isn't always easy. Sometimes you have to let go of the things and people you love in order to do so. Charlie St Cloud is just that, a story about learning to let go, and learning to take chances.

Zac Efron plays Charlie St Cloud, a handsome sailing scholar about to attend Stanford who has an unbreakable endearing bond with his younger brother Sam (played by Charlie Tahan). Charlie, knowing the fatherless family cannot afford baseball camp for Sam offers to practice with him an hour everyday before he leaves for College on one condition; Sam must never be late. That evening the two brothers are involved in a fatal car accident, Sam dies but Charlie is bought back to life by paramedic (Ray Liotta). Consumed by grief and tormented by the loss of his brother, Charlie is unable to cope with the funeral and runs off into the woods. It is here we are reintroduced to Sam's ghost, who reminds Charlie of their deal to practice everyday at sunset.

5 years on, and Charlie has taken a job as the Graveyard caretaker to be closer to his brother. Sticking true to his word, he practices everyday with Sams ghost and all is well, until Charlie starts to fall for Amanda Crew (Tess Carrol), an attractive sailing aficionado, about to set sail round the world. Their budding relationship starts to threaten Charlies ability to keep his promise to Sam, and Amanda doesn't have long before she leaves. Charlie is left with the difficult decision of choosing between the two and learning that in order to move on, you have to let go.

I was neither moved to to tears by this movie, (although there are plenty of moving scenes) or tempted to leave half way through. Efron and his leading lady Crew carry this movie and hold it together well. Efron is brilliant as Charlie, he is sincere, real and truly believable and you will find yourself really connecting to his character throughout the movie. His acting ability is not the only reason to see Charlie St Cloud, his impeccably toned arms and divinely pretty face make this 99 minutes of pure pleasure to watch. Plenty of close ups, great settings, well written script, a few laughs and a very decent kissing scene make this movie a real treat. I was really taken aback by the twist, didn't have a clue. So ignore the harsh critical write ups, 'The Life and death of Charlie St Cloud ' is really pleasant and I recommend it for every Efron fan. This is not a chick flick, so boys don't worry if the girls want you to go, you may actually find yourself liking it.