RRP: £12.99
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One of the worst films I've ever seen
Review date: 2008-05-30 Rating: 2 out of 10
I rarely bother to write reviews about films I don't like, preferring to celebrate those that I do. However I make an exception for this film because I think people should be warned.
Dull, cheesy, nauseous tripe. Unlikeable characters (even Sandra Bullock), no humour and zero chemistry between the leads. I have to stress that this is not a romcom, it is a tragic tale of ghastly people, the heroine is a doormat and the hero a stalker.
You would have to pay me a considerable amount of money even to watch it again, never mind give the dvd house room.
If you are of an extremely (stress extremely) sentimental disposition, you might enjoy some of it. But if you have an iota of cynicism, or like your romance light, or if you've just had a meal and want to keep it, then I beg you to avoid this film for your own good.
From very early on Justin tries to woo her (with a lot of unsubtle hints from her mother).
It's Birdee's story and follows her as she deals with the aftermath of her marriage collapsing. It's also about Birdee's relationships with her family (especially her mother and her daughter) and others.
What I loved about the film was the fact that it was character driven and the characters are 3 dimensional (at least the main ones are). The whole thing feels real and, therefore, is more touching. I had tears rolling down my cheeks watching it.
Birdie takes their daughter, Bernice, and leaves her husband, returning to her small town roots in Smithville, Texas, where her mom, an eccentric but lovely lady, wonderfully played by Gena Rowlands, still lives. As a teenager, Birdie had been a big fish in a small pond, a popular high school cheerleader who had ended up marrying the high school star quarterback, Queen of Corn three years running, and the envy of most of the young women with whom she grew up. She now finds herself returning home with her tail between her legs, her fairy tale life having taken a decided nosedive.
While home, some of those who remember her manage to get their digs in. One person, however, a sensitive and sensual good ol' boy, Justin Matisse, played to sexy perfection by Harry Connick, Jr., remembers her with fond affection, as he has loved her since they were in high school. He is there, just waiting to pick up the pieces.
Birdie takes their daughter, Bernice, and leaves her husband, returning to her small town roots in Smithville, Texas, where her mom, an eccentric but lovely lady, wonderfully played by Gena Rowlands, still lives. As a teenager, Birdie had been a big fish in a small pond, a popular high school cheerleader who had ended up marrying the high school star quarterback, Queen of Corn three years running, and the envy of most of the young women with whom she grew up. She now finds herself returning home with her tail between her legs, her fairy tale life having taken a decided nosedive.
While home, some of those who remember her manage to get their digs in. One person, however, a sensitive and sensual good ol' boy, Justin Matisse, played to sexy perfection by Harry Connick, Jr., remembers her with fond affection, as he has loved her since they were in high school. He is just there waiting to pick up the pieces.
This is a very enjoyable movie with strong performances by the entire cast.