Love Happens

  • 2009
  • PG-13
  • 109m
movieMx RATING
5.8/10701
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
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Performance & Direction: Love Happens Review

Last updated: January 26, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Love Happens (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Love Happens features a noteworthy lineup led by Aaron Eckhart . Supported by the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Dan Fogler , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Love Happens (2009) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.8/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.

Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Love Happens stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: Love Happens

Quick Plot Summary: Love Happens is a Drama, Romance film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Dr. Burke Ryan is a successful self-help author and motivational speaker with a secret. While he helps thousands of people cope with tragedy and personal loss, he secretly is unable to overcome the death of his late wife. It's not until Burke meets a fiercely independent florist named Eloise that he is forced to face his past and overcome his demons. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: Love Happens

Ending Breakdown: Love Happens attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Love Happens reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Love Happens?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Drama films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: Love Happens

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $18.0M
Worldwide Gross $36.1M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Love Happens Budget

The estimated production budget for Love Happens is $18.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Love Happens

All Cast & Crew →
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer AnistonEloise Chandler
Martin Sheen
Martin SheenDonald, Burke's Father-in-Law
Deirdre Blades
Deirdre BladesShirley, Burke's Mother-in-Law
Frances Conroy
Frances ConroyEloise's Mom
Clyde Kusatsu
Clyde KusatsuCab Driver
Anne Marie DeLuise
Anne Marie DeLuiseUnicom Executive
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Where to Watch Love Happens Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

NetflixNetflix

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video

Love Happens Parents Guide & Age Rating

2009 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Love Happens age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Love Happens is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Love Happens is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, Love Happens is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for Love Happens. Rating: 5.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Love Happens worth watching?

Love Happens is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Love Happens parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Love Happens identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Love Happens?

The total duration of Love Happens is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked Love Happens

How Love Happens Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Love Happens

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🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.8
Love Happens
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/love-happens-25643" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 5.8</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">Love Happens</div></div></a>

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