Jennifer Lopez & Jane Fonda, not exactly the names I want to see in my movie credits. But some times I don't get to choose what movies I get to see, and I walked into the theater, looked at my date, and reluctantly said, "Two please." My expectations of this movie were low, so low that I sat in the very back of the theater. As the credits rolled I lay back in my seat and waited for that golden opportunity.
The opportunity never came, we were to busy enjoying the movie. Yes the jokes were old, the story line was predictable, and the ending convenient, but I laughed. And it wasn't a little laughter, it was a lot. It wasn't just us; the entire theater was cracking up. I don't know if we all had the same low expectations or what, but the movie was much better then I thought it would be.
The key to this movie wasn't so much in the lead roles. While J Lo and Fonda have to carry this movie, it wouldn't have been half as good with out the supporting roles of Ruby (played by Wanda Sykes) and Remy (Played by Adam Scott). These two characters almost drive the story line and are a much needed break between scenes with J Lo and Fonda. With out them this movie would have become old and stale in the first twenty minutes.
Now, remember, this is a chick flick, so while it's a little hard to believe a couple would get married after knowing each other for three month, it's necessary to the plot. Which made J Lo the perfect actor to play Charlie, who else in Hollywood has a record of shot gun weddings like she does?
Jane Fonda hasn't been in a movie since the early nineties, so to have a Hollywood legend come out of retirement for this film speaks volumes. The movie studio knew what they where doing, and did it this time almost to perfection.
I know it seems like I'm promoting this to be one of the best chick flicks ever made, but remember, when one is put in a situation where they need to be won over, the film usually false to do so. That wasn't true with Monster-In-Law, and it deserves credit for that. Since I have to own some just in-case movies anyway, I liked this one enough to consider buying it on DVD, which I would have never thought walking into the theater.
This is a great date movie! If you need to make up to a girl friend for some movie choice she was forced to go to, this is a good one to concede to. Besides that, this move can wait for one of the movie channels or DVD. None of the jokes will be lost, and there is nothing earth shattering about it. It's just good entertainment and worth the price of a movie ticket.
"Monster-in-Law" opens May 13, 2005 and is rated PG13. Comedy. Directed by Robert Luketic. Written by Anya Kochoff . Starring Jennifer Lopez, Will Arnett, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan, Wanda Sykes, Adam Scott, Annie Parisse.
