If you've read my reviews, you know it's not very often that I get to sit down with a chick flick unless everyone else in the house is either gone or asleep. But I had really wanted to watch Georgia Rule, so when I decided to rent it, it figures that everyone was at home and awake. Actually, come to find out my husband has been wanting to see it as well, so it was more a matter of sending the kids upstairs to play (it is rated R and highly mature), so we could sit down together and watch.

Georgia Rule

Rachel (Lindsay Lohan) is a teen with lots of attitude. Having recently been in trouble, her alcoholic mom, Lilly (Felicity Huffman), brings her to Idaho to live with her grandma, Georgia (Jane Fonda), for awhile. Georgia has as much attitude as Rachel and follows a strict schedule with set rules.

Due to sexual abuse, we get to watch a wife and mother come to grips with her role (or lack of) in the abuse, a daughter learn to attach to people for the right reasons and a grandmother trying to hold them both together.

The Cast

Lindsay Lohan as Rachel - Mean Girls, Just My Luck
Felicity Huffman as Lilly - Desperate Housewives, Transamerica
Jane Fonda as Georgia - Monster-In-Law, 9 to 5
Dermot Mulroney as Simon- My Best Friend's Wedding, The Family Stone
Cary Elwes as Arnold - The Princess Bride, Kiss the Girls
Garrett Hedland as Harlan - Friday Night Lights, Four Brothers

Directed by Garry Marshall - Raising Helen, Pretty Woman

My Thoughts

Georgia Rule was not what I thought it would be. I was expecting a fairly light hearted story about three generations of strong willed women. It was more a story of trauma, survival and three generations of strong willed women with trust issues. That's not to say I didn't like the film, it was just not what I had expected by watching the trailer.

This movie is highly sexual and when I say that I am not exaggerating. Much more so than I expected from Gary Marshall. But perhaps that is because the underlying topic of the whole movie is sexual in nature. But it's not without some humor and Gary does a fantastic job of making the movie much lighter than it could have been.

I am a big fan of Jane Fonda and was happy to see her acting. She was a good compliment to Felicity Huffman and Lindsay Lohan who meshed so well and have so many similar characteristics that they could easily be mistaken for mother and daughter in real life. The trio was easy to watch and made the dark subject matter flow well.

Another notable performance includes Dermot Mulroney as the local vet (who knew he was so musically inclined??) does a fantastic job. His role is pivotal in Rachel's growth and while he is a supporting actor, he helps accomplish the power needed for the viewers to believe Rachel might have actually learned something.

Overall, I think think Georgia Rule is a dark but good story told by great performances. If you are expecting the movie to resemble the trailer or if you have an aversion to topics sexual in nature, you might want to rent something else. This movie will enlighten you to the struggles families face when faced with sexual abuse but with true Gary Marshall flair it's done with a hint of comedy and a light feel that makes it palatable and even enjoyable to watch.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age