We rented Monster-in-Law the other night and, scratched DVD aside (no extras), it was quite an enjoyable movie.
It is all based on a simple concept – Charlie (Charlotte) meets Kevin, who seems to be the perfect man – Surgeon, nice, notices things, etc etc. The problems begin when Charlie meets Kevin’s mother Viola. Viola has been through a number of husbands and has only Kevin left; she’s also been a famous TV presenter who’s just been kicked out of her job and replaced by a much younger model, so she’s not feeling in the best of mental health. Actually she’s just come out of psychiatric rehabilitation, and when she meets Charlie, she’s not impressed. (“She’s a temp!”) A battle royale ensues as they try to drive each other completely made, and eventually there’s a gooey ending in sight… possibly.
That’s really all there is to it. It is quite a funny film with one or two very funny moments, and Jennifer Lopez (Charlie) and Jane Fonda (Viola) do okay in their roles. Somehow I thought neither of them were really completely convincing and their timing wasn’t brilliant, but they still had one or two moments. (I have to confess that one of the main reasons I wanted to watch this film was to see the scene where J-Lo gets slapped, but even this was only vaguely satisfying!) Michael Vartan (Kevin) is given little to do except play the nice guy, and really I felt that the script was so-so, whereas the idea had a lot more potential than is realised here. In fact, without Wanda Sykes (Ruby, Viola’s long-time friend and – I think – employee), the film might have been a complete disaster. Her character is genuinely funny and Sykes has a perfect sense of comic timing. There were some decent performances in the supporting cast, with Adam Scott giving a pretty good performance as Charlie’s neighbour. His character is easily the most interesting in the film because he’s the only one you can’t read completely in the first scene they’re in. Elaine Stritch as Gertrude, one of Viola’s ex-mother-in-laws, completely steals the scene in her short time on screen.
The storyline is, on the whole, pretty mundane, with one or two good ideas but generally predictable. There is a fair bit of slapstick, some of which is funny, and there’s not really much humour in the dialogue. Just once or twice something genuinely amusing is said, but too much of the comedy element just relies on facial expressions.
Other than that, there’s really not a great deal to say about the film. The musical score was okay, the cinematography was up to the job, and the sets were well done. This is basically another case of a good idea not living up to its potential. I kind of enjoyed it but wouldn’t greatly recommend it, there are a lot of better romantic comedies out there.
Other Information
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sex references and language.
Runtime: 101 min
Jennifer Lopez was nominated for a Razzie award for her role in the film.
Quotes
Viola’s last interview:
(With a Britney Spears looakalike)
Viola Fields: What do you do for fun?
Pop Star: I love watching really old movies. They're my favorite.
Viola Fields: Really? Really? Which ones?
Pop Star: Well, "Grease" and "Grease II." Um, "Benji." I love "Benji." "Free Willy," um..."Legally Blonde," "The Little Mermaid."
-------
They were always destined to be good friends…
Viola Fields: Marriage is a sacred union which must only be entered with the utmost care.
Charlotte Cantilini: Weren't you married four times?
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