This movie has been accused of stereotyping its characters in some of the reviews I have read. "Fools Rush In," however, is anti-stereo- typical in a number of ways.
The movie concerns a one-night stand between a beautiful Latina photographer and an upwardly mobile young businessman from New York. They meet in Las Vegas, and the movie details the relationship that develops between them, since the one-night stand results in her pregnancy.
On one level, this is the story of what happens when two individuals with scarcely an idea of serious love and commitment are confronted with a relationship, in the pregnancy, that is more than they bargained for. That is not so unusual. There are many unplanned pregnancies that occur in the world. What is unusual is the way in which the movie handles this fairly conventional situation and the many unconventional issues it brings up.
The reversal of stereotypes begins when Isabel arrives at Alex's house and tells him she plans to keep her baby. This is after he tells her that he is pro-choice. When most people today say "pro-choice," they usually mean allowing for clinical abortion. They don't mean "I plan to keep this baby." Yet, this latter choice is also "pro-choice." This is just one of the ways in which this movie challenges the conventional stereo- types of our time.
There is another important way in which "Fools Rush In" challenges stereotypical thinking. It presents, as a very serious and viable option, the possibility of an intercultural or even interracial marriage. That is
a topic which may still disturb some people, but which should become
more accepted if we are really serious about welcoming a multicultural world and an end to racism.
The movie uses the Grand Canyon and its environment as a metaphor for this and I believe that the attitudes of Isabel's and Alex's family to their budding relationship are exaggerated for this reason: a kind of culture shock. I don't think the movie's director is interested in perpetuating conventional stereotypes.
"Fools Rush In" is charming and truly romantic because it shows how Isabel and Alex--against long-standing cultural opposition and even their own expectations--are inexorably, metaphysically drawn to spend the rest of their lives in love together.
This is an exceptionally strong role for Salma Hayek. She displays a kind of relational integrity in the role of Isabel that is independent of her supposed sex symbol status. She takes control in this movie. Of course, the attitudes and reactions of the other characters are credible, even if slightly caricatured.
In summary, "Fools Rush In" is nothing to rave about, but it is rare enough to award three stars. It is well worth watching!
