“Catch and Release”
Rated PG-13
Now playing
**

THE STORY: On her wedding day, Gray Wheeler (Jennifer Garner) has a much more daunting task: attend her fiance’s funeral. But, Wheeler’s trauma doesn’t end there. As she tries to cope with her heartache, Wheeler uncovers the truth about Douglas’ past.

ENDEARING MOMENTS: “Catch and Release” has many small, comedic moments that will warm the hearts of romantics. You’ll laugh at the sight of a sleeping Wheeler being dropped on the floor by her friends, and of Wheeler getting a full-body massage by quirky, spiritual Maureen (Juliette Lewis). But these moments are overpowered by the gravity of the scenes that follow.

(Photo: Timothy Olyphant, left, and Jennifer Garner star in "Catch and Release." Credit: Doug Curran -- Columbia Pictures)

TWISTS AND TURNS: I expected a light-hearted comedy, but “Catch and Release” instead tries to be a more meaningful look at death. This is the first twist.

But, once you regain your senses from this initial shock, a convoluted plot begins to unfold:

Turn No. 1: Wheeler’s fiancé was apparently a millionaire. Turn No. 2: The fiancé's mistress appears with her 4-year-old son. Turn No. 3: One of Wheeler’s best friends loves her. Turn No. 4: Wheeler loves one of her fiancé's best friends.

Although these plot twists catch your attention, they definitely don’t hold it. The one detail that does capture your attention is the fact that a picture of Wheeler’s fiancé doesn’t show up in the entire movie. You’re distracted from the movie by thoughts of “What does he look like?” and “Why does he have such an ugly fishing hat?”

THE BOTTOM LINE: The movie might “catch” your attention, but it will definitely “release” it a few minutes later.

-- Jasmine Ta, Milpitas High