
Failure to Entertain
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.
As far as saccharine, formulaic, ending-wrapped-up-in-a-little-bow romantic comedies go, this one isn't completely unbearable. Matthew McWhateverhisname always gives a great performance, even in trite scripts like this. Sarah Jessica Parker is somewhat bearable, and she seems to have managed some control over her face, so it isn't distracting you for the entire film.
But what really saved this film were unexpected performances from Terry Bradshaw (yes, THAT Terry Bradshaw) and Zooey Deschanel, both of whom deserve leading roles in their next films. Also, Kathy Bates is her usual sparky, snappy self - always very alive and interesting in her roles.
The plot isn't terribly original, and the tension is only mildly felt; also, chemistry has taken a holiday for this film - Matt and Sarah go together like two metaphorical things that don't go together at all.
Then again, besides the unbelievable plot, Sarah Jessica Parker's inability to act, and the recycled emotions borrowed from every other romantic comedy ever made, the film isn't so bad. There are some very humorous moments, and some interesting subplots that would have easily made a better movie than the main storyline.
But, in the end, the film is what it is: a romantic comedy, doomed to tell an old story in the same old way. Yes, there are funny moments, but most men will excuse themselves from the living room before the movie is halfway over rather than succumb to the urge to strangle someone (or themselves) after sitting through the whole thing.
On the other hand, all of the women I know enjoyed it. Some descriptive terms they used in our friendly arguments about the film were: cute, fun, romantic, silly, and entertaining.
Obviously I have a different take on entertainment than the women in my life.
Review ID: 10000000001395647

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