Video: Holley's Review

By: Holley Sinn

Verdict: Denied

There's no denying Zac Efron is adorable. His charm and intensely blue eyes are reminiscent of a young Tom Cruise...mischievous and clever. He's already demonstrated his acting chops with major roles in films like "Hairspray" and "17 Again", and there's no doubt in my mind that he will be Hollywood's next great young leading man. However, even the likes of Mr. Efron cannot save the patchwork, "Ghost Whisperer" wanna-be script that is "Charlie St. Cloud".

The title character, Charlie, is Zac Efron...an accomplished sailor who has a deep bond with his little brother, Sam, played by Charlie Tahan. When Sam and Charlie are involved in a car accident, both are pronounced dead at the scene, but Charlie is revived by a paramedic, played by Ray Liotta. Charlie forgoes a sailing scholarship to Stanford in an effort to honor a promise he made to his little brother...the two will meet daily at a designated spot to practice baseball. In this way, Charlie holds Sam in limbo, but the two can continue their relationship despite Sam's death.

Five years after the accident, Charlie becomes involved with a young sailor named Tess, played by Amanda Crew, and his bond with Sam begins to dissolve. Tess is involved in a sailing accident, after which, she and Charlie become very close, but when she discreetly follows Charlie to his sunset meeting with his brother, the relationship suddenly begins to unravel by way of an odd twist.

"Charlie St. Cloud" certainly looks lovely, and the prevailing themes of destiny and purpose are clearly delivered, if not heavy-handedly. But, there's a strange tone to the film, and an early emotional climax that makes for an uneasy movie-going experience. The chemistry between Efron and Crew is a little...well, wonky...and honestly, the whole film just feels like a J.Crew advertisement mixed with an episode of "Ghost Whisperer".

I'm denying "Charlie St. Cloud" though it might eventually make an acceptable rainy afternoon rental. However, if it's on your required viewing list, you should know that it is rated PG-13 for minimal language and some sexual content, and it is now showing in theaters all over the bay area.