Love at first sight, love that will stand trials and tribulations and love that flourishes over time, are all premises and plot points of "A Lot Like Love" starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peete. However, the movie fails to explain what is a lot like love.

Oliver (Kutcher) and Emily (Peete) have a chance meeting at an airport on their way from Los Angeles to New York. Emily is a former musician's girlfriend who is on her way to New York for unknown reasons at first, while Oliver is on his way to visit his older brother. The two seem to be drawn together by fate and run into each other in odd places.

When they finally have a sit down at a bar and have a meaningful discussion, Emily shares less than expected. Oliver is fresh out of college and trying to get his "ducks in a row." Emily doesn't believe him and so he gives her his phone number and says in six years to call and see where he is in his plan.

The number gets used before the due date and the two go from acquaintances to friends and more. However, it takes them seven years to decide what they are best suited for, friends or lovers. Through odd relationships and job problems, the two figure out that they can spend months or years apart, and still catch up pretty quickly.

But is this what a lot like love means? Is Emily and Oliver's relationship a lot like love, but lacking in the real love department? The phrase 'a lot like love' is mentioned in passing once, but otherwise it is mystifying as to why the movie earned its title.

The focus of the movie is love, of course, but it's not much different from the several romantic comedies released each year. The writers gave it a broader scope with the relationship that needs to blossom between Emily and Oliver. Throughout the film it felt like the writers just couldn't choose what kind of love to focus on so they chose to draw out the relationship even though the ending is obvious.

There are standout scenes in "Like Love" and most include comedy — obviously since it has Ashton Kutcher. There is a long restaurant scene which lacks anything audible except background music, but the action in the scene will bring a smile to your face.

Kutcher, in his second romantic comedy released in the last two months, is adorable as Oliver. He's apt at controlling his comedic side and can be pretty convincing as the confused, yet lovable boyfriend type. His portrayal as Oliver makes you root for him. Peete's Emily, on the other hand, is technically the "star" of the movie, but she doesn't have the same likeability factor as Kutcher's Oliver. Peete does the character justice, but the writers are the ones who disappoint.

The best character in the movie, however, was Oliver's older brother, Graham, who happens to be a deaf lawyer, played by new-comer Tyrone Giordano. He steals each of his scenes. Kutcher, who converses with him the most, does so by sign language — which is not usually seen in movies.

But Kutcher should learn one thing from this movie: never sing again.

Grade: C

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 21 2005.