Review: Not Much Chemistry in 'Chemical Hearts'

Actor turned writer/director Richard Tanne's sophomore film "Chemical Hearts" is a rather pedestrian teenage dramedy about unrequited love.�Adapted from Krystal Sutherland's�novel of the same name, it's the story of 17-year-old�high school student Henry Page, who is a cross between a bookish nerd and a hopeless romantic.�He is also a virgin who has never even dated, but that is about to all change.

This is his final year at school, and he is ambitious to become�the editor of the school's newspaper. However, the teacher in charge appoints him a joint editor, along with a very reluctant Grace Town, who has just transferred from another school.

She is, to put it mildly, a woman of mystery, and it takes time and patience for Henry to discover what it is about her past that has shaped the way she is today.�As he gets closer to her, she very slowly lets her guard down and Henry falls for her hook, line, and sinker.

They make an odd pair.�Henry stumbles over his words when he speaks, but he has no problem explaining his feelings when he writes them down.�Grace is the exact opposite.

This predictable teenage romance will at least appeal to other high school students, but probably not many other people. However, it should be acknowledged for the fact that now there are gay couples in these storylines, and their very presence doesn't raise a single eyebrow.�That's progress we can applaud.