

We see it from Joline's point-of-view, as Krueger makes us privy to Joline's thoughts and therefore her motivations, which puts a decided perspective on the events as they unfold. Her characters are very real people, with all the wants, needs and imperfections that make up the human condition a rich and eclectic bunch through which she tells her story. And Krueger presents it all extremely well, delivering a film that is engaging and entertaining. There's a touch of humor, a touch of romance, and some insights into human nature in this quirky film that is more about characterization and character than plot. For Joline, it's a journey of discovery, during which she learns a lot about Carl, but even more about herself.
THE COMMITTED DRIVER
And while she watches and waits, her life is anything but dull, as she encounters a young woman named Carmen (Patricia Velazquez), a waitress at one of the local eateries Carmen's `Grampy,' (Alfonso Arau), who is something of a mystic T-Bo (Mark Ruffalo), a truck driver who has issues concerning Carl and Neil (Goran Visnjic) an artist who makes pinatas and takes a fancy to her. She considers Carl as being in a `spiritual coma,' and it's her job to keep a `spiritual vigil' over him until he comes to his senses. But once she knows where he is, she keeps her distance, giving him his `space' and not even letting him know she's there. Regardless, she leaves their home in New York City and sets off to find him, which she does- in El Paso, Texas, of all places. Maybe it's because of that `clay' she's made of. When Joline realizes he's not coming back, she refuses to give up on him, or their marriage. The only problem is, someone forgot to tell Carl- and 597 days into the marriage, he's gone off to `find' himself and figure it all out. And when she marries Carl (Luke Wilson), it's forever. She's a woman of her word who sticks by it no matter what.

Admittedly, Joline has always been a committed person in work, relationships, in life in general. Her name is Joline, and this is her story. Who knows? Who knows what it takes to make things- life- work? Writer/director Lisa Krueger takes a shot at it, using a light approach to examine that thin line between being committed- and how one `gets' committed- and obsession, in `Committed,' starring Heather Graham as a young woman who is adamant, committed, obsessive and maybe just a little bit crazy, too. Some people are just plain crazy, though- and maybe that's the way you have to be to live among the masses. But we're all different, `Made of different clay,' as one of the characters in this film puts it, which is what makes life so interesting. Some people drift through life, moving from one thing or one person to the next without batting an eye others latch on to a cause, another person or a principle and remain adamant, committed to whatever it is- and figuratively or literally they give their word and stand by it.
