Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet play two lovable and charming characters with great chemistry in a movie that has all the ingredients needed to make a romantic comedy.

Fortunately, “A Lot Like Love” is not your typical chick-flick. Although the premise might seem a bit tired, it avoids annoying clichés or obnoxious over-acting.

“A Lot Like Love” follows the relationship of Oliver (Kutcher) and Emily (Peet) over a seven year span; starting from the first time they meet at an airport where they believe they could not be more wrong for each other. She is the offbeat free spirit with relationship problems and he is the guy straight out of college trying to get all his ducks in a row before he starts his “real” life.

The movie deals with an issue that everyone can relate to: liking someone at the wrong time or when the other is not ready to commit.

It is also a realistic look at how people struggle to get their lives in order. After seven years, Oliver is still struggling with success and Emily is still driving an old wreck for a car. Movie goers skeptical of this film will be pleasantly surprised by Kutcher’s sincere and likable performance. His Oliver shows a comedic range to offset such frights as “Dude, Where’s My Car” and “My Boss’s Daughter.” Peet, who has played quirky, endearing characters on the short-lived television show “Jack and Jill”, and movies including “The Whole Nine Yards” and “Something’s Gotta Give” is in her element trying to make Oliver realize that life isn’t about having everything all together. The smart, vibrant Peet outshines Kutcher who remains the same goofy, lovable character but with more brains and class than Kelso from “That 70s Show.”

The characters are real, never falling into a lifestyle that becomes impractical, making you want to ride along side the two in Emily’s car.

The acting was never over-the-top thanks to the pacing set by Kutcher, Peet and an eclectic supporting cast. The supporting cast is a fun mix including Kal Penn, from “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle”, and Kathryn Hahn, from “Crossing Jordan,” as side kicks to Peet and Kutcher.

At first the movie makes you wonder where it’s going to bring you next and it becomes a chore to watch. But by the end of the movie you root for the characters and hope for the best.

Overall, “A Lot Like Love” is enjoyable and a must see. It is a funny, heartwarming story about the possibilities of a great romance stemming from a friendship that has never played by the rules. “A Lot Like Love” is a lot like life.

We give this movie two paws up.

Bailey Porter can be reached at porterb@ulv.edu. Nila Priyambodo can be reached at npriyambodo@ulv.edu.