Any experienced moviegoer can tell you that labels can often be deceiving and that is unwise to make preconceptions about certain films based on taglines or the names involved. One of such examples could be found in the project that was in its essence nothing more than one of the most despised products of 1990s Hollywood – "high concept" romantic comedy. The name of the film is Only You, and it was directed in 1994 by Norman Jewison.
The plot deals with Faith Corwatch (played by Marisa Tomei), young schoolteacher who is just about to get married to boring pediatrician. However, long time ago, while she was 11, Faith consulted ouija board about her true soul mate and discovered that his name is "Damon Bradley". Afterwards, she heard the same name while visiting fortune teller. But only when she hears that name for the third time - in a telephone message for her fiance - she decides to act and find him. "Damon Bradley" is supposed to fly to Venice and Faith rushes to airport, but the plane is already gone. Faith is not discouraged and decides to follow mysterious stranger to Italy, accompanied by her sister-in-law Kate (played by Bonnie Hunt). Two of them are traveling through exotic locations of Italy until Faith finally meets a charming stranger (played by Robert Downey Jr.) claiming to be Damon Bradley in flesh.
Only You is not the film that is going to be remembered by proclaiming some universal truths or creating salvos of laughter, but its plot and genre limitations are -somewhat compensated with its fairy tale atmosphere, light-heartedness and old fashioned romantic values that seem refreshing in this cynical day and age. "Oscar" winning Marisa Tomei again shows a great deal of comedic potential, this time by playing character very different from the one portrayed in My Cousin Vinny. The rest of acting team is also good - Robert Downey Jr. is convincing as Tomei's romantic partner, Bonnie Hunt shows great talent in supporting role, and Billy Zane is great in small cameo. Exotic Italian locations, captured by Sven Nykvist's camera, are as attractive as characters in a movie, while Rachel Portman's music score provides more than adequate background. All in all, Only You is an entertaining little film that would restore viewers' fate in the concept of romantic comedy.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on August 5th 2002)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/9058-only-you?language=en-US
Critic: AA