You hear a title like “Love Happens” and you think to yourself, “Are they serious?” It sounds like some Family Guy spoof of a crappy Jennifer Aniston-starring romantic comedy. Of course little do you realize that Love Happens is actually just a crappy Jennifer Aniston-starring romantic comedy with a stupid name that sounds more like a place holder for the eventual title than an actual title. If the label Love Happens sounds terribly shallow and pedantic, then you should see the movie that it’s been so titled for. She’s unlucky in love; he’s trying to put his life back together after his wife died. What a conveniently mismatched pair suitable for cinematic romance.

Now I know, co-writer/director Brandon Camp has already proven himself as the creator of the short-lived FOX show John Doe about a man who’s “got all of the answers, except the most important one... who he is.” He also wrote the screenplay for the Kevin Costner not-scary near death romance Dragonfly, so you know he’s got some solid creds and an obvious untapped wealth of creative acumens. I certainly hope that Love Happens wasn’t his ace card though, because it was Mad Libs screenwriting dragged out over an excruciating two hours in what has to be the longest self-improvement seminar in the long, sad history of self-improvement seminars.

Already dripping with sarcasm, let’s move this review on to the plot synopsis. So Aaron Eckhart plays Burke, a man whose improbably named book “A-OKAY” is a national best seller and is helping people all over deal with their feelings of grief and loss. Surprise! Burke has yet to deal with his own feelings of grief and loss over the death of his wife three years earlier, and wouldn’t you know it, his next presentation is in Seattle. The Emerald City. Also known as the place that Burke’s wife died. Eloise (Aniston) also lives in Seattle and is the proprietor of a delightful little flower shop. Now Eloise is the type of woman who dates a musician who just constantly cheats on her with slutty groupies until one day she leaves in disgust and frustration. Naturally, these two are made for each other.

Actually, the burgeoning relationship between Burke and Eloise is handled in a way that highlights their hook-up as more problem-fraught than just having them fall for each other simply. That and the rather touching reconciliation between Burke and his father-in-law (played by Martin Sheen) actually save this movie from being a complete waste. But the main thrust of the film is the Burke-Eloise relationship which often swings wildly from being kind of cutesy-poo to being the demented courtship of two people trying to be in a relationship but probably shouldn’t. Burke is messed up, anyone can see that, and considering that during their first meeting Eloise feigned sign language and deafness rather than talk to the guy, you can’t help but think that she’s a few apples shy of a cart too.

There are the usual trappings in films like these, like the wacky best friends. The talented Judy Greer plays Eloise’s BFF Marty, a slam-poetry reading eccentric that seems only competent enough to be employed by her friend. Dan Fogler, whom I’m not sure how to handle when he’s not being loud and obnoxious, plays Burke’s friend and agent, who naturally has a big meeting with a multimedia company scheduled just as Burke’s hometown return spurns a very serious meltdown. And of course, all the plot points are resolved at the concluding session of Burke’s seminar, in front of all the people who Burke’s been feeding his hypocrisy to, and naturally they all applaud his reconciliation with his wife’s family rather than get pissed at what was basically a flim-flam. I could go on, but I’m just glad that I got out of this movie alive. Love Happens, but you don’t have to be there when it does.