Monster-in-Law

I had such a thrill watching the unsinkable Jane Fonda making a wonderful fool of herself that I've actually saw it twice. The second time with my thumb on the fast forward. I've watched Jane's Viola interview that Brittany Spears clone many, many times. It's outrageously close to the knuckle and Fonda goes for it, body and soul. The problem resides elsewhere. I hope Jennifer Lopez has someone around her who can tell her the truth. She is so bad that the film can't recover from the heaviness of her romantic turns. She is the iceberg to this particular titanic. There is not a moment of sincerity in her entire performance and the fact that she is standing opposite one of the most truthful of actresses in the history of acting makes her appearance all the more jarring. Jane please, gives as more, Jennifer, go back to school.

Jane and jen! Charlotte has found the perfect boyfriend, and starts planning the marriage. But the fiance comes with a controlling, overbearing, angry, stubborrn mother. Can they ever iron things out? Love the banter between the mom and her assistant... that's the best part. Some really fun co-stars... elaine stritch. Wanda sykes, who gets all the good one liners. The amazing jane fonda had already won two oscars, and this was probably a pretty lightweight role for her. Some funny bits, but very predictable. As soon as charlotte tells the mother in law what her allergies are.... we know what's coming next! The son refuses to believe his mother can be mean, and charlotte won't set her own boundaries. Directed by robert luketic. Story by anya kochoff, who also wrote the screenplay for mother's day...she has a lot to say about mothers.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Okay, so right off the bat I have to say that Monster In Law is bad. It's really dumb, cliché ridden, and common. It's not Showgirls bad but it is mediocre and I think I've had quite enough of mediocrity. I know many of you out there might be saying: "well what do you expect, Citizen Kane". Well, yes I do. At least the "Citizen Kane" of modern romantic comedies. Hell, I'll take an attempt at something unique or original; but to be honest I'm sick of settling and forgiving these films for their lack of creativity just because these movies are charming.

Set in the near future a space alien steals the DNA of…just kidding. Monster in Law is the story of the nicest girl ON THE PLANET (Jennifer Lopez) who meets the perfect man (Michael Vartan). When I say perfect I mean the dude is perfect; he's a surgeon, you see, and every time someone on his operating table dies he yells: "It…just… doesn't… get… any easier!!!" No, I'm kidding again. He is a surgeon, yes, but he's perfect so no one dies. Anyway, nicest girl, perfect man want to get married. Enter perfect man's mom (Jane Fonda). JaFo doesn't want MiVa to marry J.Lo. I wasn't quite sure of the reason why. I think it had to do with some sort socialite caste system. See, Jenny From The Block is merely a temp/dog walker and Hanoi Jane is a rich T.V, talk personality who drops names like a seagull at a statue. So obviously Lopez isn't good enough for Vaughn…I mean Vartan.

Over the course of the movies 90 minute running time you will be subjected to the following: Conspiracies to derail the wedding. The Clinging Mother who feigns anxiety attacks. The "Dogs attacking Prada/Gucci/Fendi" gag. The sleeping pill resulting in the face- in-the-worlds-worst-food/dish joke. And, if orange is the new black; allergy flare-ups in romantic comedies must be the new fart joke. Oh, and just when you think they couldn't possibly go there, the words: "You win, the wedding's off" actually are spoken thus giving us all the required rom-com conflict clichés.

There is something that I must concede. Wanda Sykes not only steals this movie from its two stars but she is so good that I would pay money to see her do it again (rental people rental). She is hilarious as Fonda's caustic quick-witted assistant. Sykes has made a career out of playing the sidekick and all her training has paid of beautifully. No one could've delivered the line: "I think I dislocated my vagina" as well as Sykes. She is the reason you won't ask for your money back at the end of Monster In Law.

Sykes aside Monster in Law has remained faithful to the unoriginal formula Hollywood has been recently churning out. I, for one am done forgiving talented people for being just good enough. You hear me Keanu! You make too much God Damned money to suck as often as you do. The same goes for Fonda and Lopez. Vartan gets a pass cause he's new.

After a fifteen-year retirement, Jane Fonda came back to Hollywood and starred in Monster-in-Law, a comedy about an overbearing mother who tries to interfere with her son's impending marriage because she feels his fiancé isn't good enough for him. Or, if you look at it another way, a loving mother feels her handsome doctor son could do better than a flaky, part-time dog walker, and she tries to help him come to his senses before they're married.

Michael Vartan plays Jane's son, and Jennifer Lopez is the impending daughter-in-law. All three are perfectly cast in their roles: Michael is weak, easily swayed, but sincere; Jenny is sweet but strong; and Jane is impeccable, uptight, and a force to be reckoned with. While it might be a bit of a shock for audiences who last saw Jane as a romantic lead in Stanley & Iris in 1990, she doesn't take the role as the mother-in-law to say, "I'm an old lady now." She's beautiful, vibrant, and able to compete toe-to-toe with the icon JLo. Jane even films a scene in her negligee; it's clear to her audience that she's nowhere near old age.

As to the movie itself, it's very entertaining and funny. Wanda Sykes costars as Jane's assistant and friend, and while everything out her mouth is supposed to a sarcastic aside to make the audience laugh, nothing she says is very funny. Jane and Jenny are the funny ones, and it's so easy to root for both of them, you'll find yourself changing sides every time you watch it! Keep a lookout for Elaine Stritch, Adam Scott, Monet Mazur and Will Arnett in smaller but memorable parts. This is a great movie to watch with your girlfriends or your mom—or if you have a great relationship with her, your mother-in-law. Pop the corn and champagne and get ready to giggle the night away.

Hilariously funny. Good script, great acting and nice to see Jane playing her age and doing it tongue in cheek. This is a sit back, relax and laugh your face off movie...don't over think it...it's entertainment.