Warm,witty, inspiring,well done and has a Beautiful rythem💛

This film is fundamentally about how to cope with painful truths; escape with distractions, bottle it up for years, only show the good side of ourselves, blame others for our own failings or what's out of our control, or face it and transmute it into something that's helpful and kind. Every character grapples with this, even the child, and traverses their own story arc without staying stuck in one dimension. They each make mistakes and grow from them. It's so relatable that, by the end, it feels like you're just another friend in the room with these very real-seeming people.

I'm a fan of every actor and they each create a story that engaged my heart from the beginning. I felt along with each of them, so they did a wonderful job. Garner managed to express the bitter side of grief in a way that humanized her character without vilifying her. There were plenty of moments when her character could have been played a touch too low or too grasping, but Garner's vulnerability kept the character grounded and lovable. Juliette Lewis was just perfect. Olyphant's character seems to be written as a cartoon cutout at first, but he quickly displays an electric presence that gives the guy interest, self-awareness, and depth. Olyphant consistently steals the show; you just want to see what he's going to do next. The love scenes have a focus on the story being told rather than just exposing the actors' bodies. More is said without words, which makes the story more stimulating.

***SPOILERS*** The scene in the kitchen when Gray runs to hide just when Fritz is about to express his feelings is mostly well executed, but I wish the frame had pulled back enough to show the gesture Olyphant made with his hand when Garner pulled back. He reached for her in a silent "don't go" that was only partially visible. That movement contributed more to the unspoken conversation, so it really shouldn't have been cropped. The storage room scene where Olyphant played Fritz's self-defense with pained humor felt like a real break-up, and the shadow of disillusioned resolve that crossed his eyes looked like he was living it rather than acting it. Olyphant is consistently magnetic and fun to watch. ***/SPOILERS***

This is one of my favorite Timothy Olyphant movies that just so happens to have an excellent ensemble cast, all around. He is truly a romantic lead. This film is a Chick Flick, a Rom-Com, folks. It's not based on a great literary read. But it does takes a heavy subject, the unexpected loss of a loved one, and explores the different ways the loss is experienced by each character of the ensemble cast. And it doesn't necessarily show them all in their best light.

The way the deceased's fiancee, Gray (Jennifer Garner), and his LA party buddy Fritz (Olyphant) meet in the beginning of the film shows the two to be about as polar opposite as two people can be. Then, you have the deceased's business partner, Dennis (Sam Jaeger), falling for Garner's character at such an inappropriate time. Fionna Shaw is excellent casting as the grief stricken mother. The comedy standouts have to be the deceased's good friend, Sam (Kevin Smith is surprisingly excellent) and Maureen (played by the incomparable Juliette Lewis who is a jewel in everything she touches).

Garner and Olyphant have serious chemistry going on that translates over the screen. Garner is able to demonstrate a full range of emotions as she progresses through the stages of grief, while Olyphant is the cool, handsome, seemingly superficial Fritz who hits all the right notes opposite Garner's evolving character. There is a kiss between these two that is one of the hottest I've ever seen in the movies.

This film is a road picture, a jaunt. It's mindless and heartwarming fun, against a heavy backdrop. Not to be taken too seriously. Have you ever seen David Duchovny and Minnie Driver in 'Return to Me?' A Chick Flick, Rom-Com against the serious subject of a heart transplant? These two films are similar in that way and tone; however, 'Catch and Release' has a younger ensemble cast and is set in a different city. And I found the chemistry between Garner and Olyphant to be more combustable than I did between Duchovny and Driver.

Gray (Jennifer Garner) thought that she and her fiance Grady would be getting married this weekend, but instead she's attending his funeral. Already destroyed at the loss of what could have been, she's devastated to learn that Grady had a secret life that he kept from her including a million dollar estate and a toddler love child. When the mother of said child comes looking for Grady, she must confront the past in order to have a future. Juliette Lewis gives her all as the slightly trampy quasi-Earth mother.

As Gray comes to terms with his betrayal, she turns to his roommates for solace and a place to stay since she can no longer afford the house they were renting. Through this quasi-extended family, she discovers the Grady she never knew, as well as the Gray that she is now becoming, and finds herself getting closer to his lothario friend Fritz (Timothy Olyphant), as friends Sam and Dennis also experience difficulty dealing with the loss of their friend.

Writer/director Susannah Grant, best known as the scribe behind "Erin Brokovich" and "In Her Shoes," has created a poignant story of love, loss, and forgiveness. Kevin Smith shows a serious side as well as provides comic relief as Sam, the inspirational comment writer (okay, typist) for "Constant Comment Teas." Veteran British actress Fiona Shaw, hysterical as the horny headmistress of the tony boarding school in "Three Men and a Little Lady," dons an American accent and gives a heartwarming performance of a mother who just wants her son back. And Juliette Lewis is a bit chiched in the role of flighty masseuse Maureen, who apparently doesn't own a pair of flat shoes.

Though some might find the romance between Gray and Fritz develop a little too quickly, I thought it was handled tastefully given the love-hate relationship between them and how thin the line between the two can be (though the ending was a bit rushed). Missing from the film was Grady himself - a couple flashbacks with him would have added depth to the relationship between Gray and Grady and given us a chance to find out what made him such a touchstone for the five lead characters.

The disc's special features are minimal - just lots of movie trailers and commentary - nothing to write home about.

A very powerful story about understanding, sympathy, and getting to know ones-self. Jennifer Garner's movements portray a woman who slowly starts living again, not as a woman defined by perfection, but by understanding where she can be mature and where she can have fun and learn to be herself. Timothy Olymphant starts as the loyal "bro" of his recently deceased friend and in the end reveals himself to be a sensitive, caring man who has to give the best kiss in the world!

It's not going to be a movie with tons of comedy; it starts out at a funeral! It's meant for those who understand the strength needed to pick yourself back up after life knocks you down, more than once. The main character isn't the deceased fiance; you're not meant to pity him or think bad of Jennifer Garner's character for what she does, you're meant to grow as she does, finding value in the life she now has.

If I could give this movie more than 5 stars, I would in a heartbeat. The amount of emotionally mature and emotionally difficult themes that this film bravely tackles is wonderful.

Good story on loss of a fiance', there is no perfect way to cope or get that feeling of being over it. Just the happy endings for each character brings the life status to a quality happiness level, truly endearing! Timothy Olyphant is outstanding and be honest, you can not take your eyes away on his screen time! Jennifer Gardner is amazing as her character is under an ambush of revealed secrets while making her fearless presence " I am not going anywhere" stance known. Exposing a woman's strengths when she is easily expected to be unable to cope and move on. So yes, loved it.

My kind of movie I guess, Loved it, and watched it more than once. They sure make a cute couple and loved both their personalities, Fritz and Gray. AND it even has a happy ending. Had to return and make one comment, Sam doesn't think that Persephone is either smart or funny, but he thinks that Maureen is some kind of "brain trust?" I mean, he asks her "you ever heard of the power of suggestion" and she answers, "it is some kind of workshop." Talk about stupid.....and a bimbo on top of it. I love this movie, but I sure wish they had made her a very small part of this movie....every time she appears I have to fast forward.....I really do not like her. character. And she is right, SHE Is a terrible Mother

I can see how this movie can either lead to disappointment or just purely entertainment. I think we all expect movies have a "fantasy" end in which the characters are good, in loved, and in everything goes exactly as expected. This movie breaks all those rules leaving us rather with something more realistic. Life is messy and complicated, and that is what this movie represents. Things are almost never as they seem and life doesn't go according to plan. Overall, I think is a good entertaining movie and Jennifer does an incredible acting job.