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I Could Never Be Your Woman
Grade: M=3; F=2
This straight to video offering was written by Amy Heckerling
and stars Paul Rudd and Michelle Pfeiffer. Considering the absolute crap love
stories I have seen in theatres over the last couple of months, I am baffled by the decision to send this movie straight to
video. It is not a fantastic movie, but it is a sweet movie none the less.
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Rosie, a 40 year old television writer of a teen soap opera on prime time television. A single mother raising the spawn of Jon Lovitz (hooray!), she acts more like the
best friend of her daughter Izzie (Saoirse Ronan) than her mother. While casting
for an episode of her show she meets 27 year old Adam (Paul Rudd) and is instantly smitten by his sense of humor.
Let’s be honest, what woman hasn’t been instantly smitten by Paul Rudd’s sense of humor? Yeah I thought so. So right away one can believe Rosie falling
for Adam. What this movie does, and it is something that Heckerling has always
done well, is to show why two people are attracted to one another. Even better
still, Heckerling managed to write a believable and enviable relationship between Rosie and Adam. The two are childish and loving. Stupid fights that would
end almost any movie relationship are mere footnotes in this one. It is a wonderful,
loving relationship and one of the best I have seen in years in the film arena.
Unfortunately the movie failed to bowl me over. Though I loved Rosie,
Adam, Izzie, and Jon, and they did make me laugh, the movie never quite fully clicks into full gear. It is amusing and fun and you really can fall in love with the characters, but there is still something
missing. Perhaps that was why it was never released to theatres. Still, this romantic comedy was one of the most likeable ones I have seen in a while.
What did I like best? The DVD is worth the rental for Paul Rudd’s
dancing alone. In fact, I may have to own this movie just so I can watch his
dance sequence on days where I am feeling a bit down. I also loved seeing Jon
Lovitz. In anything. Ditto with
Michelle Pfeiffer. I have always been a fan of Pfeiffer and it was nice to see
her in something light and cute and most importantly, to see here look like she was having a lot of fun. That was the key here. Everyone looked like they were having
fun.
The only thing that didn’t click for me was Mother Nature played by Tracey Ullman. Now, I love me some Ullman. I watched her TV show faithfully
every week as a child. I still think about her bustop musical skit with absolute
adoration. However, her part did not work for me in this movie. I can see why the device of this character was used, but it came across like a leftover section to a whole
different script. Like it was part of the first draft and only made it to the
final script because of Heckerling’s fondness for the part. I can definitely
see the draw to the character and what it brings to the movie. However, it just
doesn’t work in the final script. I would have liked to see a different
way for Pfeiffer to work through her issues with aging.
Overall a really enjoyable pick for DVD. It is not a laugh riot by any
means, but it is pleasant way to pass the afternoon on a weekend. For younger
girls, I would like them to see this movie if only to see what a functional and decent relationship looks like. Never mind the fact that such a relationship is virtually impossible to have with an actor. Still, it is nice to see a romantic relationship on screen that makes me feel hopeful about being single
rather than just feeling lucky to still be single.
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Definitely, Maybe
Grade: M=3, F=2
In so many ways I should not like Ryan Reynolds. Yet here I am, movie after movie, liking the guy. Even though
he basically plays various versions of himself, there is something kind of likeable about him.
And that was kind of how I felt about this movie: I shouldn’t like it, but the people in it are just so darn
likeable.
Pre-show: After passing some
random scantily clad girls in the hallway promoting the release of “10,000 B.C.” I was beginning to wonder if
I had missed my theatre. Noting that “Rambo” was playing next door
to the ladies, I followed the small groups of middle aged woman and sure enough, found the right theatre. I knew the work week had taken its toll on me, but much like Homer Simpson’s loss of doorbell recognition,
I apparently lost the knowledge of how to navigate a multiplex at some point this week.
Safely settled alone in a seat between two snuggly couples, I was ready for the Valentine’s Day movie of the
week.
Movie: “Definitely,
Maybe” is the story of Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) who is about to sign his divorce papers and who must relive his romantic
life at his daughter’s insistence. Since Will adores his daughter Maya
(Abigail Breslin) and because she refuses to let it go, Will agrees to tell her the story of his romantic history. However, much like “Dragnet” the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The innocent being the ears of a child in this instance. The
flashbacks are punctuated with moments in the present where Maya quizzes her father for answers and tries to figure out which
woman in the story is her real life mother. It actually flows rather smoothly,
if predictably.
The best part about the movie by a mile is the cast. The characters are
nothing truly spectacular but the cast brings such a sweetness and charm that it was hard not to enjoy the movie on some level. Will seems to have a nice chemistry with all the women, but it is precisely that chemistry
that telegraphs how each woman will actually fit into his life in the present. Though
predictable, it never really felt all that hokey.
Though the story moves along nicely and is never too overly sentimental, that is not to say that it was really well
written. The dialogue was rarely memorable and the story went on longer than
it should have. However, the script definitely gets points for realism, flow,
and interest. I think if there had been any other cast in the roles that this
movie would have been a much tougher sale on the script and story alone. The
actors make the scenes and they make the movie.
Isla Fisher is just lovely here. At times her character borders on annoying
but it is Fisher that makes the character so sweet and likeable despite her quirks.
The same can be said about an animated Rachel Weisz and a subdued Elizabeth Banks.
Reynolds makes a believable father, although not necessarily of Breslin. Still,
Reynolds clearly has a nice bond with the actress and it shows on screen. My
favorite role was probably that of Kevin Kline as Hampton Roth. Of course when
Kline is in a movie, it is hard for him to not be one’s favorite. On paper
the character is a bit over the top, but Kline seems to ground him and make him interesting.
Although this movie was kind of mediocre, it still held my interest for most of the show, and I found that I actually
really enjoyed the evening. If for no other reason than it made me nostalgic
for New York City. When you live in a city like New York, you are living so close
to other people that there is a kind of forced kinship. It is rare in movies
to see that kinship and sort of nice side to New York. I’m not saying it
is a happy go lucky town, but not everybody starts the day off at the bagel shop there hearing, “You want lox on that? No? Well fuck you!” In this movie there seemed to be a little bit more of a realistic portrayal of what it is like to live
in New York. I mean, for a movie. Anyway,
I kind of dug that. It made me homesick for the East Coast.
Overall this movie was actually rather pleasant. It appears to be a comedy
in the trailers, but do not let that fool you. This is more of a drama than anything. It is a sweet love story told without a lot of bells and whistles, without a lot of
swelling music, and without a lot of overly romantic gestures and speeches. Well,
the last bit was kept to a minimum at least. For someone like me who seems to
have an allergy to schmaltz, that was a nice surprise. Maybe not a theatre kind
of pick, but I would definitely recommend it for DVD or cable.
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The Hammer
Grade: M= 3, F=2
Though I am often times disappointed with the romantic comedy genre, when it
works, it is a comforting and pleasant way to cheer you up. I personally enjoy
reviewing romantic comedies because when they are good it is something very special. When
they are bad, well, bad romantic comedies are the most fun movies to write about.
Pre-show: “The Hammer”
stars Adam Carolla (with a story by credit) as a carpenter who accidentally stumbles back into boxing after a 21 year absence. I was lucky enough to go to a screening with a Q & A with Adam Carolla before
the show started. Adam, charming and self deprecating as ever, fielded a few
questions about the movie and dancing. He didn’t stay long, but considering
his main goal at every moment of the day is to go home as soon as possible, I don’t really exhibit any surprise. Not to mention his work schedule of promoting a movie, doing a morning radio show,
dance practice, and spending time with his 2 year old twins has made him a little punchy lately from the lack of sleep. Interestingly enough, his schedule at the time the movie was made was when he just
started doing his radio show and the twins had just been born. Considering he
must have been as sleep deprived then and thinking about how freaking funny his radio show has been as of late due to sleep
deprivation, apparently when Adam gets punchy, comedy seems to win.
Movie: Believe it or not this
is a romantic comedy. Even more unbelievable, it is really good. Bordering on the insane but true area, I will tell you that this was one of the best romantic comedies
that I have seen in a long time. Why? For
starters, the love story isn’t too gooey or center stage. It is a sweet
courtship that is at once believable and too convenient. Secondly, the real love
story is with the main character Jerry and boxing. Jerry is the first one to
dismiss himself and his boxing, but if anyone else puts him down, that is when he totally embraces himself and who he is.
As you may have guessed, I am a big fan of Carolla’s. His radio
show is always the best part of my morning, and it really puts me in a fantastic mood before I get to work. On top of that, I actually started watching “Dancing with the Stars” this season because he
was going to be on it. Seriously. However,
even if I were not a fan of Adam, this would still get high marks all across the board from me. It is sweet and simple, and there really is not much to dislike about the characters and story. Adam turns in a surprisingly subtle and solid performance as Jerry Ferro.
Jerry has been as beat up by life as he has been in the ring, and it is interesting underdog story. As a former boxer himself, Carolla looks pretty good and fast in the ring, which helps since the Olympics
storyline is a bit of a stretch. Still, Carolla not only makes the story work
with his performance, but also really gives you someone to root for.
Though only in limited release, this movie is definitely worth seeking out. There
are quite a few laughs and sweet moments without spilling into saccharine and melodrama.
As an added bonus, for those of you curious about what the San Fernando Valley is like, here you go. If nothing else, it is one of the more realistic movie settings I have seen in a long while. That could be because I live near all the exterior shots of this movie, but also because it is not often
that you get to see believable lower class living in movies and television shows set in Los Angeles. Regardless, this is a fantastic romantic comedy worth a look. There
is something for both men and women and for once, it is a good romantic comedy date movie that everyone can enjoy.
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