Monster-in-Law (DVD, 2005, Platinum Series: 2-Disc Set)

"[T]he juxtaposition of Fonda with Lopez, now a star of comparable stature is shrewd..." Sight and Sound - Samuel Wigley (08/01/2005); I'll not agree with Wigley's critique because the balance between one hot long-standing star and one hot relatively new one could is not of comparable stature: J. Fo. steal the show!

I'm a big time Jane Fonda (J.Fo.) fan, the young lady who had to find her own way out from beneath her father's (Henry Fonda) gigantic shadow at a time when Hollywood was the valley of the dolls and drenched in drugs and liquor. "It's a hoot to watch Fonda cut loose and mix it up with J.Lo....Knockabout comic is just the latest incarnation in Fonda's life so far. Let her rip." Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (05/19/2005), seems to agree with me.

Who would have guessed that Jane Fonda would play her own age as mother-in-law so comically, when her acting history is not especially known for sharp witted comedy? J.Fo. you're still hot to trot! "Monster-in-Law" is Jane Fonda's ever so successful return to the big screen after a 14-year, well deserved, vacation.

The story line begins when waitress Charlie (J.Lo.) is searching for a nice guy to marry. She wants him to share her own wide variety of interests. Keith (Michael Vartan) seems to be her ideal match. Up to this point the story line is dull, unless you consider J.Lo. cute enough to make the story line something that doesn't matter; all too typical boy-meets-girl, marry, and breed like different-gender rabbits in a locked cage. Wanting to marry Charlie, Keith proposes. All too predictably dull.

However, his legendary television journalist mother, Viola (Jane Fonda, J.Fo.), who has an on-air breakdown after being replaced by a much younger woman, enters Keith's mind as a nightmare. Since her career is apparently over, for Viola, her energy is spent making the sun rise and set in Keith. All of her eggs in one son of a basket case.

Of course, with such high falutin standards of excellence combined with histrionic outbursts, Viola becomes determined to prove to Keith that Charlie is not of his caliber. Enter bluntly truthful Ruby (Wanda Sykes), Viola's assistant. And what we've got is a hilarious cauldron brewing to drive Charlie nuts.

Viola and Ruby use every antic any dubious mother-in-law has schemed, but she sorely underestimates Charlie's fight to let go of Keith and their future together.

I got stuck watching this movie while on an airplane - I couldn't sleep, forgot my book, and it was the only thing on the screen. Lets just say it wasn't the best flight - The movie was wildly over-the-top and, of course, came together in a tight & nifty cliche ending. But my real problem with the movie was Jennifer Lopez (j-lo) who I consider the worst mainstream actress in Hollywood. She has perfected the gentle baby voice and somehow arrives in the same roles over and over again (does this remind anyone of the Wedding Planner?). She begins to iritate me from the first instant she appears on screen.

Enough of my ranting because there were some funny parts of the movie. Jane Fonda is surprisingly funny (so is her absurdly tight face lift!). I also get a kick out of the timing of Fonda's press tour - this is her first movie in ages and it coincides nicely with her autobiography, a signing tour, and surely plenty of plastic surgery operations.

Jennifer Lopez does it again! I loved this movie, if you liked the Wedding Planner or Maid In Manhatten, you will love this one! There are plenty of funny scenes between Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda as well as some that will have you feeling like its De Ja Vu all over again with your own mother in law! My husband even liked the movie, and that's saying a lot for this war/action buff! I also loved the fact that there was no swearing and cuss words!

I just saw this movie last night and the plot is incredible. It shows in glaring light the differences between the rich and the poor and how the priorities of the rich can sometimes be ridiculous. One of the things that is obvious in the movie is that Viola, the mother in law character has absolutely nothing to do except shop on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy her four acre mansion because she made millions of dollars as a celebrity journalist and she is enjoying early retirement. On the other hand her daughter-in-law has about four jobs and has to put with Viola's issues on how a poor low class girl is not good enough for her brilliant son. I think the plot of the money is very interesting and sometimes funny. The ending is lousy and unrealistic but it is a comedy after all it has to have a happy ending. Jane Fonda is fantastic. Unfortunately, Jennifer Lopez does her worst acting to date, it's like she is doing a run through of the script for the first time. I don't know what she is doing but she is not acting. Michael Vartan also does not act with any conviction. He obviously supports his fiancee but he never comes to her defense in a serious way. All in all I think it is a movie worth renting but not buying unless your mother in law hates you, in that case it is a good study guide.

Pretty good if you like j.lo, not my cup of tea, but could be yours!!! Thanks for reading my opinion, and if you'ld like to check out my store, I am permitted by ebay to provide you a link here:
http://stores.ebay.com/SellsEveryTime

Yes, Lopez plays her same role. Poor Lonely Girl falling in love, but Hey she does it good. Besides, most of the movie is exactly what the title says. "Monster" In Law. It will have you laughing at parts, but honestly sometimes it does drag on. And you always know the ending......

I wouldn't advise young children to watch this. There is some name calling, but there is no nudity/cursing.

This is good for a girls night in, but I saw it with my Hunny, and HE actually bursted out laughing...

All of J-Lo's movies have similar themes, interchangeable plots and bad acting, but in her lastest flick to go to DVD, she gets lucky. Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes save the day! In a welcome return to acting, Ms. Fonda delivers a brilliant performance as Viola, the recently replaced, aging TV legend. Wanda Sykes is hysterical as Viola's assistant and the perfect foil for Ms. Fonda's character. Her comedic timing is dead-on and a thorough joy to watch.

Michael Vartan's acting was listless, but then his character was flat and boring. The directing was about par for this genre of film and the script was fast paced and fun, if predictable. My main problem was with the lead actress. Perhaps one day, someone will stop and recognize that Ms. Lopez couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Her inclusion in this movie made what could have been
an excellent romantic comedy into a real dud. She owes both Ms. Fonda and Ms. Sykes a bottle of Crystal for saving Monster-In-Law.

Kat One reviews

I LOVED this movie. Right from the start. It was funny in the first 2 minutes. I wasn't sure hubby was gonna like it because it has Jane Fonda in it & he is NOT a fan of hers. But he liked it and he watched the whole movie. He even rewound it in a couple of places so we could see that particular part again.
I got a great bargain on it & I would have gladly paid full price for it if I had too.
Jane Fonda is soooo mean in this movie. Jen Lopez has had enough and fights back. There's a scene in it where they are slapping each other in the face and it's a LONG scene. They really slapped each other silly.
They do mean stuff to each other in the whole movie. It's great!!!!!
It ranks close to the top of my favorite funny films.
I was very impressed. I'm glad I own it so I can watch it any time I want.

Monster-in-Law is very funny. We really enjoyed this movie and actually laughed out loud! Great acting and comedy. A good movie to add to your collection.

I loved this movie. Haven't seen Jane Fonda in anything lately; but, I see that she hasnt lost her touch. And Jennifer Lopez was brilliant also. A must see for any fan of JaLo and Fonda. Great acting. I give this a 2 thumbs up. You gotta see it.

Maryt101

This movies preveiws were more exciting than the movie, had me thinking I was going to see some real hatred or cat fight. For those of us who have mother in laws this movie will leave you still trying to get revenge, it doesnt do much for the craving of getting things out of your system. It was a cute story though but just a bit too predictable. Mrs fonda was great but needed a better supportive actress with better role to make her character pop. Maybe just a better writer? someone who knows first hand the cruel things you go through or want to do in this situation.

This was a good movie that showed the true side of many in-law situations. I liked how the mother-in-law to-be changed throughout the movie. It was a fairly predictable ending, but it was still good. I have not yet bought this DVD yet.

This movie was so funny. Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda were so great together. I laugher so hard I cried. I highly recommend this movie

First of all, I only watched this b/c Jennifer Lopez. She really does good in comedies. This movie is nothing campared to The Wedding Planner, but it does have it's moments. I disliked Jane Fonda, her screaming really got on my nerves, and screamed at the TV for Jennifer to slap that lady. Please shut her up!!!!!
Anyway, I bought this movie, because it does have laughs, and I juist simply love to watch Mrs.Jennifer Lopez. If you like Jlo, you will like this movie. Also her boyfriend on this movie so so good looking.

I thought this movie was hilarious. I would highly recommend this movie. I thought the feuding between Jlo and Jane was totally comedic. My favorite part is when Jlo's charactor switches the mother-in-law's pills and she falls asleep in her plate of food. I also like the part where Jane Fonda's charactor is confronted by her on monsterous mother-in-law. This movie is all around funny and I enjoyed it very much. Two thumbs up.

There were some funny parts. Jane Fonda Made this movie. The end was the best part of the movie. And Once again Jane Fonda saved the movie. Not the best but worth watching for a little comedy and down home entertainment.

Wanda Sykes steals the show as the behind the scenes avenger for Jane Fonda. She works with Jane to foil the engagement of Jennifer and Jane's son. However, his portrayal although not strong-minded to say the least, is very accurate of a mama's boy. Jane is a woman who has battled her way to the top of her industry(photojournalism) only to be forcibly retired. I think this is the main reason for her constant harrassment of Jennifer Lopez. I enjoyed this movie.

Jane Fonda goes over the top in this predicatable wedding planning movie. While J. Lo does her best to (again) play the bride-to-be [see "Wedding Planner", much better!] she must deal with an overly overbearing Mother-in-law.

But Jane Fonda goes too far in slap-stick ways. I won't give away the ending but I doubt you'll have any trouble figuring it out after the first half-hour. At that point I'll warn you... it doesn't get any better.

Don't waste your time with this movie. Plenty of better J. Lo and Jane Fonda movies out there.

While camping last weekend, I watched this movie on a DVD player in my tent. The movie is romantic and funny, not an Oscar winner ... but I don't think any of us expect it to be :-)

The premise of the movie pits a new fiance (J. Lo) against her mother-in-law-to-be (Jane Fonda). It begins with subtle manipulation by the mother but slowly and surely the tables are turned. The movie handles it all in a very light-hearted and funny way. I enjoy watching an underdog who is able to overcome and persevere!

The film is perfect your young ages as well, assuming you find the relationship subject matter suitable -- no swearing or nudity in this one (sorry guys).

The movie, Monster-in-law, was a cute,funny story. The plot-the mother, who feels no girl is good enough for her son- is great. The characters, Jolo & Jane Fonda performed spectacularly. The maid, added greatly to the movie. It was hilarious.

Cute movie about a bride to be and the nasty mother in law that stricks us all.
shows that we're not alone in the hate the mother in laws who are over-bearing.
too bad it's NEVER GONNA HAPPEN this way. but it is a cute movie and how the fights start between them. cute movie watch it once just to stay you did

I had forgotten how absolutely HILARIOUS this movie was! Jane Fonda is BRILLIANT and her chemistry with Jennifer Lopez is great. And the guy is great fun to look at too! I HIGHLY recommend this movie if you like to laugh!

Oh my goodness! I have no idea where to start with this one! This movie is so much better than I thought it was going to be. I could sit and watch this movie everyday. If you like movies that are funny but romantic at the same time this is the one for you!