Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 15+
Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Red
Ages 13 - 17: Yellow
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal:
Green
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Yellow
Nudity: Green
Sex: Yellow
Review:
Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) has finally met the
man of her dreams. Kevin (Michael Vartan)
is a doctor and a caring, sensitive man. Things
seem perfect until Kevin takes Charlie to
meet his mother, Viola (Jane Fonda) who has
just been fired from her job as a world famous
celebrity interviewer. Viola, distraught and
near a breakdown, has just returned home when
Kevin brings Charlie for lunch and asks her
to marry him. Viola is horrified. She's lost
her job and now she fears losing her son to
another woman. Of course, she doesn't think
that Charlie is good enough for her son and
decides to be the worst future mother-in-law
possible to scare Charlie away. Her assistant,
Ruby (Wanda Sykes), is in on the plan. Charlie
is about to give up on Kevin, because of his
mother, when she realizes Viola's plan and
decides to play hard ball right back at her.
This makes for some funny situations with
both mother and fiancé trying to outdo
each other for Kevin's attention. Jane Fonda
turns in a terrific performance clutching
madly at her son. Jennifer Lopez also gives
a good performance as the fiancé. This
movie is very entertaining and amusing. There
are some sexual references and some language.
The couple lives together before they are
married. Viola uses alcohol to help with her
stress. They are not the picture of a perfect
family until everyone makes peace at the end.
This movie may not be appropriate for young
teen-agers. Adults and children 15+ should
enjoy it. Why is Viola hanging onto her son
so tenaciously? Does she really want his happiness
or her own?
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.
Linda has been a lover of movies
since she was a small child. This
love of film eventually brought
her to the point in life where
she is now, a film critic. She
was featured on WCCO radio for
three years on the “Dark
in the Morning” show with
Dark Star.
In December of 2001, Linda became
the film critic for the syndicated
“Ruth Koscielak Show”.
Linda sees over 150 movies a
year and has had the opportunity
to interview a number of directors
and actors when they are in town.
She has also appeared on a public
access show called the "Cinema
Judge" and has ventured into
writing for "Cinestar"
magazine in September 2002. The
Twin Cities movie magazine is
available, for free, at most local
Blockbuster's and local movie
cheaters.
As one of the few female reviewers
in the Twin Cities area, she brings
a unique point of view to her
reviews. Linda has raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and
knows what they like in movies
and what is appropriate. Hopefully,
her reviews will help your family
in choosing where to next spend
your movie-going dollar.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.