Reviews (2)

How Will It Compare to Perfection?
"Shall We Dance?" (2004) is a remake of the superb Japanese musical dance comedy which was released in the U.S. in 1997. This new version stars Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Stanley Tucci. There's not a chance in the universe that this new version will be better than the Japanese classic, which was just about as perfect as any film has ever been, ever. But I'll definitely go to see the new one, only because it probably will be very enjoyable to compare the two versions, and any dance film is better than none. Plus I think I'll really enjoy the new one--it's just that I KNOW it could never approach the Japanese original, for many reasons. Sure, they'll try to adapt the screenplay to American customs and vernaculars, but many charming nuances of the original will be lost because it will not take place in Japan, and the original was really about how the Japanese are relating to something very Western and alien, ballroom dance. If you want, you can go to Hollywood.com and watch the preview to the new version. Just type in Shall We Dance? in the Search field. The preview is pretty good. I will enjoy the film, but I strongly urge you to buy a copy of the original "Shall We Dance?" here on Amazon, and also go to the "Shall We Dance?"(Japan) Amazon DVD page and vote to have it released on DVD. It's a crime this hasn't happened yet! (I gave this American version 4 stars, because I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, also based on the preview I saw).

Potentially A Great Movie!!
This is a potentially a great movie about a bored Chicagolawyer(Richard Gere)who takes ballroom dancing lessons with his instructor (Jennifer Lopez), whose wife (Susan Sarandon)suspects him cheating on her.This movie's plot is similar to the superb original Japanese version made a few years ago.It should be very well watching,when it's released!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Caught between the purest of intentions and unimaginative shortcuts tosentimentality, The Mighty is nevertheless rewarding enough to make itworth seeing. Kieran Culkin stars as Kevin, a terminally ill but spiritedyoung boy who befriends a healthy but illiterate social outcast, Maxwell(Elden Henson). They realize that together they are a stronger, braver forcethan they are as individuals, and the various opportunities they have toconfront persecutors and memories of their bad fathers are handled veryeffectively by director Peter Chelsom (a very original filmmaker who made theterrific Funny Bones). The curious adult casting includes Sharon Stone(a natural scene-stealer even when she doesn't intend it) as Kevin's saintlymother, and Gillian Anderson in a quite-unbelievable supporting role.Chelsom's lapses in judgment are not terribly significant (imaginaryappearances by Camelot-era knights on horseback are the most annoying), thoughone could argue that a plot to kidnap one of the boys is a cheesy way tounderscore the kids' redemptive loyalty to one another. Still, all in all, youcan laugh and cry at this tale of rare friendship, and admire the sensitive performances by Chelsom's younger players. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (109)

The Mighty(1998)
This movie is about two boys who become really good friends (Culkin & Ratliff) both have really wild imaginations. Both boys are different from each other and everyone else, but much like one another in many ways. This film is the only drama that didn't make me cry, because everything that happened was expected. Sharon Stone who plays Gwen Dillon (kevin's mother) did a fine job with her part. Gillian Anderson (scully from the X-FILES) fit her part very well as an ex-cons girlfriend, who gives max a helping hand. My favorite quote from this movie was said by Stone "Congratulations, you must be proud. You've just given birth to a healthy seven pound dictionary." I think this movie is much like "Simon Birch". Both Simon & Kevin were born with birth defects, and both found one very special friend who was always there for them. I think this movie was very good and so was the book. You should read the book first before you see the movie.

The Mighty(1998)
This movie is about two boys whobecome really good friends (Culkin & Ratliff) both have really wild imaginations. both boys are different from each other and everyone else, but much lie one another in many ways. This film is the only drama that didn't make me cry, because everything that happened was expected. Sharon Stone who plays Gwen Dillon (kevin's mother) did a fine job with her part. Gillian Anderson (scully from the X-FILES) fit her part very well as an ex-cauns girlfriend, who gives max a helping hand. My favorite quote from this movie was said by Stone "Congratulations, you must be proud. You've just given birth to a healthy seven pound dictionary." I think this movie is much like "Simon Birch". Both Simon & Kevin were born with birth defects, and both found one very special friend who was always there for them. I think this movie was very good and so was the book. You should read the book first before you see the movie.

The Mighty
I think that the movie THE MIGHTY was one of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. It followed the book pretty well which is good and the casting was very good. The book brought tears to my eyes and the movie did too. If you like drama, this is a touching story that is good for the whole family. I really enjoy watching it.

A Sweet Film
As of this writing, there are 108 reviews for this film, detailing the plot, the cast, and the plot. I'm not going to repeat any of that.

I'm just going to say that this film was very enjoyable to watch, and certainly worth an evening. This is more than a message film, that the least of us have worth, that good can triumph over evil, that one person's shortcomings can be filled by another's strength.

The Mighty is all of that, but it is entertaining as well. There are life lessons to be learned here, for sure, but the inventiveness and imagination of Kevin, the disabled boy, brings a touch of whimsy and light humor to the film that might be unexpected.

It may not follow the book (which I have not read) closely, but it stands on its own as a sweet film that doesn't lay a message on too heavily, but, with the help of an excellent cast, strikes just the right balance between humor, drama, and pathos.

Recommended.

For those who've ever felt different, inferior or left out!
Some folks like to "put down" movies that are obviously meant to make a person feel good. This movie really struck me deep down to the core. I was transported back to my own childhood to relive a little pain because I related so much to both of the main characters. With that little bit of pain, I also got to relive a whole bunch of joy, because I also related so much to their triumphs!!! Buy this movie and let yourself feel good. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Micky O'Neill (Adrian Dunbar) is a born salesman. As the booker of the local theater/dance hall, he is famous for hiring almost-celebrities like Franc Cinatra. When he is unable to tell his girlfriend (the beautiful Tara Fitzgerald) that he loves her, in so many words, she storms out of their bedroom. In order to win her back--and curry favor with her mother, not to mention keep his job--he decides to book famous tenor Joe Locke, who's wanted by the government for tax reasons and hasn't performed in decades. So begins Micky's quest to find the reclusive singer--and himself. The movie is so enthusiastically cheerful, it wins you over early on with its good-natured energy, and then never lets up. Hear My Song is like a rural British version of The Blues Brothers, with a tenor instead of a blues band, minus a whole lotta car wrecks, but a final performance surrounded by police. Really, how can you argue with that? --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Wow!! Maltin agrees with me!!
Hear My Song's plot has features loosely based on the true career of the Irish singer, tenor Josef Locke. Jo Locke is Irish (yes, IS), but is not the diddly diddly Irish Rovers type. His career filled music halls and ornate Victorian pubs and seaside resorts, and as one of Mickey O'Neill's staff says "There won't be a dry seat in the house." There are still websites devoted to the man and his music. This is a well-crafted movie, with great photography, and a lush soundtrack filled with Jo Locke ballads(sung by Vernon Midgely) and more traditional tunes by Patrick Street. Ned Beatty gives a nicely subdued performance, his lipsynching of Locke's(Midgely) music is well done, and unlike most American actors, his "Irish" accent comes across well. Adrian Dunbar is a gem as impresario Mickey O'Neill, Tara Fitzgerald is very fetching as Nancy, Mickey's love interest, and one of my favorites, James Nesbitt, is Mickey O'Neill's oldest friend, Fintan. Normally, I'd love to see Tara Fitzgerald naked, but the one scene here is out of place. That is one of two bones I'll pick with Hear My Song. The other is that in the credits, roles are listed for "Young Mickey", "Young Fintan", and "Mickey's Mum". These roles never crossed the Atlantic, because there are no scenes with these characters. (Since I originally posted this review, I went to Britain & picked up a copy of Hear My Song in PAL format on EbayUK. The omitted part deals with Mickey, Mickey's Mum, & Mickey's problems with love. A tiny piece that probably cost more to delete than to keep in) More's the pity, because whenever Hear My Song ends, I wish it were just a wee bit longer, like a pint of Guinness that's a few drams short. I can hardly wait for it to be released on DVD here in the colonies.

ATouch of Irish Charm
I had seen this film once and knew I had to have it. It has a charm and wit that goes with the Irish who dominate this picture. Ned Beatty is delightful, as is the rest of the cast. The end may strain one's credulity a little, but it's what we all wanted. Why Adrian Dunbar hasn't done more in pictures is a mystery to me. And, Tara Fitzgerald is fey throughout the movie.

Right On!
We all fall in line for love . . . it even brings the infamous Joe Locke back to England. A happy little low budget diversion that proves a good time doesn't require fancy sets or glamourous stars. The parts those two assistants play are the least physically attractive but the warmest in the movie.

'I WAS BORN IN PEACETIME...
...I haven't seen what you've seen...' So begins the oft-given speech by one Micky O'Neill (Adrian Dunbar) - not too bad a bloke, but a little short on sincerity, and having a very difficult time making his way in the world without occasionally scamming nearly everyone with whom he comes into contact. Micky is a theatre manager - and he's hanging on by his fingernails to a seedy-but-polished venue in an Irish neighborhood in a large UK city (Liverpool, I'm guessing). He has had one too many performer bail on him at the last minute, and the Ryans - the family of elderly women who own the building - are losing patience with him. To make matters worse, he has a VERY hard time saying the words 'I love you' to his gorgeous sweetheart, Nancy Doyle (portrayed by the stunning Tara Fitzgerald). Threatened with eviction by the Ryans - who aren't buying anymore of his BS - he books one Josef Locke, an Irish tenor who '...when he sings, women weep'. Locke is, unfortunately, a fugitive from Her Majesty's Tax Inspectors - he fled the UK in a bit of a hurry some 25 years previously, after having a fling with the newly-crowned Miss Dairy Goodness, who, to make matters worse (if that's possible) for Micky, just happens to be Nancy's mum. Deeper into misfortune sinks Micky - the Josef Locke he books turns out to be a fake. Not only does he break Kathleen's heart all over again, he's found out by the general populace. A near riot ensues, with people demanding their money back - and the Ryans evict Micky from the building. So far he's lost all of his money, his business, many of his friends and the girl he loves. If this is starting to sound like the things that a wonderful Irish comedy (albeit partially set in the UK) is made of, you're right.

Micky hies back to Ireland, hooking up with old pal - and theatrical agent in better standing than himself - Fintan O'Donnell, wonderfully portrayed by James Nesbitt (check out another great performance by this fellow as 'Pig' Finn in WAKING NED DIVINE). The two buddies travel off in search of the REAL Josef Locke (played excellently by Ned Beatty [and NO, he doesn't sing his own parts...]) - Micky is sure that if he can find him and tell him his story, he can convince him to come back to the UK and play the gig for him. It's the only way he can think of to right all of the wrongs he has committed, and to win back the heart of the girl he loves.

There are schtick Irish gags a-plenty in this film - but thanks to the fine acting by all concerned, and the gently funny script (by director Chelsom and actor Dunbar), it comes off very nicely indeed. It's not Shakespeare, but it'll make you laugh out loud, and feel good at the end to boot. Yeah - it's a little corny in places, but that's more than OK. I'd recommend this for the whole family, but there's a brief scene of nudity (just a few seconds, but probably not for the kiddies) - I'll say save this one for the adults who enjoy Irish humor. Too bad it's not available on DVD.

Bloody Marvelous!
You will beleive that women wept when Jo sang. ... Read more

Reviews (216)

A Gimmicky Love Movie Makes for a Not too Bad Flick!
O.K., Let me start off and say this movie is based on all the "coincidetal" parts in love movies that make females, and some males (I'm a MAN and can admit when I cry), cry.

Yes, this movie is very gimmicky, but that what makes this movie great also. It knows it's very gimmicky and that's what makes this movie, being it's the bases and not to include main plot points.

The story goes like so:

In one magical moment Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet unexpectedly and spend a romantic winter day together, although both are involved with other people. At the end of the night Sara decides they must let fate determine if they are meant to be together and disappears without giving Jonathan a way of reaching her. Ten years later, they are both engaged to others but cannot give up the dream that they will meet again. And so begins their journey to find one another worlds apart!

Like I said, very gimmicky, but that's what makes this movie work.

The DVD itself is nothing too special. It has a good anamorphic widscreen presentation, ok audio, and not too many extras besides a few deleted sensces(nothing to go crazy over here) and an On the Set feature.

The romantic comedy of the year!
Everything you've believed about fate may not change once you've seen "Serendipity," which uses just about every trick in destiny's book to its advantage, but that doesn't mean that you won't have a good time. For true romantics and firm believers in fate, this is a sure-fire hit, while those who have no faith in chance will sneer. If you happen to be like me, you will suspend disbelief and accept the movie's reliance on all things coincidental, and just enjoy the movie for what it is: a winning piece of romance, laughter, and warmth.

Underneath the destiny premise is a basic, by-the-numbers plot with trademark characters and subplots. Beginning on a fateful night in New York City (and yes, the Twin Towers have been removed), we are introduced to Sara (Kate Beckinsdale), and John (John Cusack), two single people who spend the evening getting to know one another as they share a dream date of ice skating and coffee at a small restaurant named (of all things) Serendipity.

Just when it looks as if our two smitten kittens have become enraptured with one another, Sara plays hard to get, suggesting that if they really are meant to be together, then fate will take its course in bringing them back to one another. He writes his name down on a five dollar bill, which she uses to buy breath mints; destiny, she explains, will determine whether she gets that five dollars back again or not. She then tells him that she will write her name and number in a book, then sell it to a used book store... you get the picture, and they part ways.

Skip ahead a few years, and our two star-crossed lovers have moved on in life: John is days away from being married, while Sara, who now lives in San Francisco, has just become engaged to a musician of the weirdest sort. Of course, John cannot help but take a peek at every bookstore he walks past, while Sara gives hopeful glances at lingering five dollar bills... you get the picture.

When asked if I liked this picture, I answered with a wholehearted yes. After a summer filled with dead-end blockbusters, stunning suspense tinglers, and fresh comedies, "Serendipity" offers its audience a chance to embrace predictability instead of turning away from it. Every aspect of the plot is easily seen ahead of time by those who know their romantic comedies, but this works in the movie's favor, allowing us to kick back and have a good time without any demands on our mind's thought processes.

This is all made extremely likeable by the charming performances from the two leads, who add a great deal of feeling to their characters. Cusack shows a good amount of emotional capacity, enough so that we are willing to go along with his struggle to find his destined soul mate. Beckinsdale, who is quite becoming of the film, plays Sara's change of heart about fate and destiny to perfection, and then one-ups herself when her character again changes her mind and decides to locate John.

As the movie becomes a will-they-or-won't-they-end-up-together romance, we find ourselves in an arena of familiarity. The story supplies Sara and John each a typical best friend, who provide emotional support, and both of whom play a small key role in bringing the two together. In their search for one another, Sara and John will have so many close calls and near-misses (at one point, Sara steps into a taxi just as John runs behind it) that it makes the whole film seem absurd and ludicrous.

The surprise is, however, that it isn't. "Serendipity" is a refreshing piece of fluff that plays by the rules in all the right ways. The predictability of the material is in the film's favor, making no demands on the audience to sort things out. The story is given a verve and tenacity that sparkles like the snows of the Big Apple, while there is humor and sheer whimsy in every aspect of this fantastic fairy tale of chance. Couple that with some strong, inviting leads, and you have a formula for the most successful romantic comedy of the year.

Serendipity and Stupidity
This premise of this movie is just plain idiotic. Sara poses an almost impossible probabalistic challenge for her lover, Jon, by writing her address in a to-be-sold book. If he succeeds in obtaining this book, "fate" has allegedly worked its magic. The problem with this is that we are living in a probabilistic universe. Just how much "fate" do you need, anyway? Is not the chance of them meeting in the first place a miracle of "fate" in itself? Jon should have, in response, proposed tossing Sara off a skyscraper, leaving to "fate" whether she lives or not. The chances of her having a parachute handy is only marginally more likely than Jon finding her book, and far more likely than her finding sanity.

Connect the dots
OK, so you know how this movie will end. A guy and a girl meet each other under weird circumstances, fall in love and meet years later because they are meant for each other. Like so often.

but it's not bad at all, the clues are very funny and even though it's too absurd it is still funny. A nice 'romantic comedy'.

There are some classic moments that couples must have done before or after seeing this movie. Like connecting the dots (freckles) on a girl's arm... sigh... do soulmates really exist?

I loved it!
This is the best romantic comedy I have ever seen! This is really a one to watch!
This is a movie that really gives you a lovely love feeling inside of you! With the jazz music at the background, and showing the beautiful romantic side of New York makes this the most lovely romantic movie for me! (And of course Kate Beckinsale) The extras on the DVD are very good to give you an inside look of making the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Oliver Platt and Jerry Lewis in a little known Black Comedy
"Funny Bones" is one of those movies that you have to be talked into viewing and then you wonder why you waited so long to check it out. Peter Chelsom's 1995 black comedy begins with a failed drug deal and a pair of feet washing up on shore. Tommy Fawkes, played by Oliver Platt, wants to be a successful standup comedian but his Las Vegas debut is a complete disaster, due in no small measure to the "help" provided by his father George, who was once a famous comedian himself and who is played by Jerry Lewis in what proves to be one of his best roles (stop with the jokes, the man is very good in this film). Because of the drug deal he flees back home to the English seaside town of Blackpool, a place that just happens to be full of retired music-hall performances (what we Yanks would call vaudevillians). Tommy needs better material or perhaps a partner. What he finds is Jack Parker (Lee Evans), who is pretty funny for someone who has, um, serious problems. Tommy and Jack have a series of comic misadventures involving Tommy's father, the mayor of Blackpool, an art collector, some French sailors, and in the end discover a secret that provides a rather unexpected bounced to the end of this film. "Funny Bones" is a nice little film with an excellent supporting cast that fails to be conventional. Check it out and pass the word along.

misrepresented film.
I found this movie to be quite good. Not a comedy as you might expect but Chaplin's comedies were not alway comedies either. I liked it, especially for Lee Evans.

If you saw Mouse Hunt with Nathan Lane you might remember the brother. That was Lee Evans. He does a very unusual, very funny bit, in this movie. Worth the price of the film.

Oliver Platt is the son of a famous comedian, played by Jerry Lewis, who fails as he tries to follow in his father's footsteps. To get inspiration he returns to the town his family had left when he was almost too young to remember. Revelations abound. If you approach this movie as a father - son relationship film and not as a comedy you should enjoy it. If you do not enjoy the Lee Evan's bit then you do not have a sense of humor and you should get yourself one.

A DARK FAMILY DRAMA (IT WAS'T *SUPPOSED* TO BE A COMEDY)
Just because a movie has Jerry Lewis and a title that includes "Funny" doesn't mean that it was supposed to be a comedy! The plot is a bit of a mix (about a stand-up legend and his failure of a son) and doesn't always work.

The main bit about the father and the son, and the secrets and desires around them, is all worth watching. But we get hit by these little loose strands about a mob boss and a stolen wax egg that never seem to fit in with the rest of the theme and are hence left to fizzle off half-baked.

Acting etc is all fine, but the script is doozy and the screenplay patchy, which may work for some (who like "different cinema") but it is not youe average comedy yarn. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could.

Comedy? Excuse me..
i'm a jerry lewis fan, so i was quite disepointed by this movie.
Having seen "king of comedy" recently, and some old jerry classics from the 60's. i was expecting and looking forward to alote of fun here! according to the cover, youre suposed to believe that jerry has one of the leading roles.. yeah right, more like a cameo. ok?
jerry has a short scene at the begining of the movie, then he doesnt show up untill near the end. (how 'bout that?) where he does a couple of quick shots. the movie's main stars are oliver platt and his psycho half brother, who beats a clown to death. very cruel and disturbing, yes. comedy? this isn't a comedy folks, its a drama with alote of cruel violence.
the movie starts off with a kid being slaughterd under a boat at sea. then you see oliver platt performing before an audience, being humiliated before a crowd sence they doesnt laugh at his jokes. jerry lewis is magnificent as his suporting father.
oliver platt though, the star of the movie, plays an ego who only cares about himself and acts like a.. well you know. and thats the guy who you gotta follow through the whole movie!
jerry lewis actally has only about 3 or 4 "real" scenes, the rest is just short cuts at him. sitting in an audience or something. so all in all, quite an annoying film with alote of disturbing scenes. love jerry though, catch him in some of his old classics, or "king of comedy" where he stars along with robert de niro, now thats an old masterpiece! one of my favorite movies. there are so many great movies in this amazon jungle, so take my advice and spend your money on something else.
the cover on this film is misleading, and when the cover is misleading.. well.. you know what that means.
but you can bet there are some good music in this movie!
blues legend john lee hooker boogies away on his hit "boogie chillen". so i suggest you buy the soundtrack and skip the movie.
i hope this review was helpful.

What would you trade for comedic talent?
This movie veers brilliantly between the joy of comedy and the pain that lies just beneath its surface. It gets messy at times, but only because it sets high expectations for itself. It's a movie that will pop into your mind later, both for its humor and its poignancy.

Oliver Platt and Lee Evans were new to me in this one, and give dead-on performances. Evans produces two of the best comedic scenes I've ever watched, and the movie has several glorious set pieces. Make no mistake, though: this is not a comedy overall. It is a character-driven drama with soaring moments of slapstick and vaudeville. The grim moments mentioned in other reviews are disturbing, but provide counterpoint to the humor. In tone, this movie is similar to the Coen brothers' movies- eclectic, moving, and funny. At ten bucks it's a fantastic bargain. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Funny Bones, directed by Peter Chelsom (Hear My Song), is a weird but intriguing comedy with a particularly dark edge. Oliver Platt plays a would-be comedian, the son of a major comedy star (Jerry Lewis); Dad's reputation even overshadows his son's Las Vegas debut. After that flop the son tries to go back to his roots and heads for his father's launch pad in Blackpool, England. There, he meets his previously unknown half-brother (Lee Evans), a bizarre comedy savant who teaches him a thing or two about taking risks to get laughs, and discovers a secret about how his father got started. Platt is likably lost and Lewis is perfectly overbearing, but the real find here is Evans, a rubber-faced, protean comic with always-surprising material. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Oliver Platt and Jerry Lewis in a little known Black Comedy
"Funny Bones" is one of those movies that you have to be talked into viewing and then you wonder why you waited so long to check it out. Peter Chelsom's 1995 black comedy begins with a failed drug deal and a pair of feet washing up on shore. Tommy Fawkes, played by Oliver Platt, wants to be a successful standup comedian but his Las Vegas debut is a complete disaster, due in no small measure to the "help" provided by his father George, who was once a famous comedian himself and who is played by Jerry Lewis in what proves to be one of his best roles (stop with the jokes, the man is very good in this film). Because of the drug deal he flees back home to the English seaside town of Blackpool, a place that just happens to be full of retired music-hall performances (what we Yanks would call vaudevillians). Tommy needs better material or perhaps a partner. What he finds is Jack Parker (Lee Evans), who is pretty funny for someone who has, um, serious problems. Tommy and Jack have a series of comic misadventures involving Tommy's father, the mayor of Blackpool, an art collector, some French sailors, and in the end discover a secret that provides a rather unexpected bounced to the end of this film. "Funny Bones" is a nice little film with an excellent supporting cast that fails to be conventional. Check it out and pass the word along.

misrepresented film.
I found this movie to be quite good. Not a comedy as you might expect but Chaplin's comedies were not alway comedies either. I liked it, especially for Lee Evans.

If you saw Mouse Hunt with Nathan Lane you might remember the brother. That was Lee Evans. He does a very unusual, very funny bit, in this movie. Worth the price of the film.

Oliver Platt is the son of a famous comedian, played by Jerry Lewis, who fails as he tries to follow in his father's footsteps. To get inspiration he returns to the town his family had left when he was almost too young to remember. Revelations abound. If you approach this movie as a father - son relationship film and not as a comedy you should enjoy it. If you do not enjoy the Lee Evan's bit then you do not have a sense of humor and you should get yourself one.

A DARK FAMILY DRAMA (IT WAS'T *SUPPOSED* TO BE A COMEDY)
Just because a movie has Jerry Lewis and a title that includes "Funny" doesn't mean that it was supposed to be a comedy! The plot is a bit of a mix (about a stand-up legend and his failure of a son) and doesn't always work.

The main bit about the father and the son, and the secrets and desires around them, is all worth watching. But we get hit by these little loose strands about a mob boss and a stolen wax egg that never seem to fit in with the rest of the theme and are hence left to fizzle off half-baked.

Acting etc is all fine, but the script is doozy and the screenplay patchy, which may work for some (who like "different cinema") but it is not youe average comedy yarn. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could.

Comedy? Excuse me..
i'm a jerry lewis fan, so i was quite disepointed by this movie.
Having seen "king of comedy" recently, and some old jerry classics from the 60's. i was expecting and looking forward to alote of fun here! according to the cover, youre suposed to believe that jerry has one of the leading roles.. yeah right, more like a cameo. ok?
jerry has a short scene at the begining of the movie, then he doesnt show up untill near the end. (how 'bout that?) where he does a couple of quick shots. the movie's main stars are oliver platt and his psycho half brother, who beats a clown to death. very cruel and disturbing, yes. comedy? this isn't a comedy folks, its a drama with alote of cruel violence.
the movie starts off with a kid being slaughterd under a boat at sea. then you see oliver platt performing before an audience, being humiliated before a crowd sence they doesnt laugh at his jokes. jerry lewis is magnificent as his suporting father.
oliver platt though, the star of the movie, plays an ego who only cares about himself and acts like a.. well you know. and thats the guy who you gotta follow through the whole movie!
jerry lewis actally has only about 3 or 4 "real" scenes, the rest is just short cuts at him. sitting in an audience or something. so all in all, quite an annoying film with alote of disturbing scenes. love jerry though, catch him in some of his old classics, or "king of comedy" where he stars along with robert de niro, now thats an old masterpiece! one of my favorite movies. there are so many great movies in this amazon jungle, so take my advice and spend your money on something else.
the cover on this film is misleading, and when the cover is misleading.. well.. you know what that means.
but you can bet there are some good music in this movie!
blues legend john lee hooker boogies away on his hit "boogie chillen". so i suggest you buy the soundtrack and skip the movie.
i hope this review was helpful.

What would you trade for comedic talent?
This movie veers brilliantly between the joy of comedy and the pain that lies just beneath its surface. It gets messy at times, but only because it sets high expectations for itself. It's a movie that will pop into your mind later, both for its humor and its poignancy.

Oliver Platt and Lee Evans were new to me in this one, and give dead-on performances. Evans produces two of the best comedic scenes I've ever watched, and the movie has several glorious set pieces. Make no mistake, though: this is not a comedy overall. It is a character-driven drama with soaring moments of slapstick and vaudeville. The grim moments mentioned in other reviews are disturbing, but provide counterpoint to the humor. In tone, this movie is similar to the Coen brothers' movies- eclectic, moving, and funny. At ten bucks it's a fantastic bargain. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Town and Country: A Tour de Force and a Breath of Fresh Air
Having seen Town and Country twice, I am very surprised by the negative reviews. Here is a film that offered a tour de force in ensemble acting, scenes that were deliciously subtle and laugh-out-loud hilarious, a plot that poked goodnatured fun at both human foibles and society's icons and still managed to address serious issues without somehow trivializing them.

For once you have mature characters (however flawed) played by mature actors, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Gary Shandling whose chemistry and respect for each other fuel the story with an unstoppable energy and generous spirit. The supporting cast with Natassia Kinski, Andie Macdowell, Genna Elfman and Charlton Heston play their roles to perfection.

Town and Country is partly a contemporary and very literate comedy of manners and partly a cautionary tale about taking the gifts we have for granted. Despite his fall from grace, as in any classic comedy, Warren Beatty's character has a chance at redemption and a chance to reclaim conjugal bliss. Regardless of the poor reviews, I predict that Town and Country will prove to be a sleeper classic.

All-star shambles wastes talent in all departments
If taken at face value, you'd expect TOWN AND COUNTRY to be an excellent movie: The script is written by Buck Henry, (co-creator with Mel Brooks of the classic TV comedy GET SMART), directed by Peter Chelsom who made the vastly underappreciated THE MIGHTY and featuring an all-star cast including Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Jenna Elfman, Nastassja Kinski, Andie MacDowell and Charlton Heston. You'd think TOWN AND COUNTRY would be pretty special, right? Wrong.
As soon as you read studio press hailing this as FIRST WIVES CLUB (which starred Keaton and Hawn) meets ANNIE HALL (which also starred Keaton), you just know you're not getting anything new.
Anyway the plot: Porter Stoddard (Beatty) has been happily married to Ellie (Keaton) for a quarter century. But when his best friend Griffin (Garry Shandling) tells him about an affair he had and how great it was; Porter decides to give it a go- by cheating on no less than four women at the same time. These include Mona (Goldie Hawn- still attractive, but obviously uses a double for her sex scene) sexy cellist Alex (Kinski) who plays music in the nude, as well as a ski-er (Andie MacDowell) and a shop owner (Jenna Elfman). Yep, so in a sledgehammer-subtle dig at his wild past, Clyde Barrow himself; toupe clad and wrinkly, every elderly spinster's fantasy man; plays a womaniser! Didn't see that one coming. Another surprise is Charlton Heston's role as MacDowell's dad who just happens to be ... a gun nut. No subtle nuances present in this movie.
TOWN AND COUNTRY veers uneasily between light romantic comedy and screwball farce and doesn't really suceed as either. When will film makers realize an all-star cast is usually a recipe for critical and box office disaster? It all starts with the STORY, people
In summation TOWN AND COUNTRY isn't a total failure, but its more a lumbering actors' showcase than the light entertainment you'd expect. Given the talent involved this is a huge disappointment. I was expecting better from Beatty after his brilliant satire BULWORTH. Watch that instead. And Chelsom should stop trying to be Robert Altman- 90% of the time HIS all-star efforts are garbage- and get back to what he's good at.

Not Worth It
Do not waste your time. In spite of the cast, this movie is a whopping dud. Meandering and unfulfiling. A shame. I'd give it zero stars, but the system won't let me.

One of the worst. movies we've ever tried to watch
This was one of the worst movies my husband and I ever tried to watch. We finally gave up and I threw our DVD away. We were looking forward to watching it because of the cast, but that just proves that you need more than very good actores to make a good movie. Nothing seemed funny to us; I find it strange that it got better reviews than "My Fellow Americans" and "Her Alibi." We enjoyed the first one and thought the second one was cute, but they got trounced. Which might also prove that you have to be an outspoken liberal to get a good review in Hollywood?

Bright and Funny
This film is a hoot. I can only describe it as a less intellectual, brighter form of a Woody Allen film. It's got beautiful shots of New York, it's got the neurotic "uptown" socialites, it's got the midlife crises situations (a re-curring theme in Allen's films), and it's got careless laugh out loud sight gags. A must see...a perfect "sunday afternoon movie." ... Read more

Reviews (216)

A Gimmicky Love Movie Makes for a Not too Bad Flick!
O.K., Let me start off and say this movie is based on all the "coincidetal" parts in love movies that make females, and some males (I'm a MAN and can admit when I cry), cry.

Yes, this movie is very gimmicky, but that what makes this movie great also. It knows it's very gimmicky and that's what makes this movie, being it's the bases and not to include main plot points.

The story goes like so:

In one magical moment Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) meet unexpectedly and spend a romantic winter day together, although both are involved with other people. At the end of the night Sara decides they must let fate determine if they are meant to be together and disappears without giving Jonathan a way of reaching her. Ten years later, they are both engaged to others but cannot give up the dream that they will meet again. And so begins their journey to find one another worlds apart!

Like I said, very gimmicky, but that's what makes this movie work.

The DVD itself is nothing too special. It has a good anamorphic widscreen presentation, ok audio, and not too many extras besides a few deleted sensces(nothing to go crazy over here) and an On the Set feature.

The romantic comedy of the year!
Everything you've believed about fate may not change once you've seen "Serendipity," which uses just about every trick in destiny's book to its advantage, but that doesn't mean that you won't have a good time. For true romantics and firm believers in fate, this is a sure-fire hit, while those who have no faith in chance will sneer. If you happen to be like me, you will suspend disbelief and accept the movie's reliance on all things coincidental, and just enjoy the movie for what it is: a winning piece of romance, laughter, and warmth.

Underneath the destiny premise is a basic, by-the-numbers plot with trademark characters and subplots. Beginning on a fateful night in New York City (and yes, the Twin Towers have been removed), we are introduced to Sara (Kate Beckinsdale), and John (John Cusack), two single people who spend the evening getting to know one another as they share a dream date of ice skating and coffee at a small restaurant named (of all things) Serendipity.

Just when it looks as if our two smitten kittens have become enraptured with one another, Sara plays hard to get, suggesting that if they really are meant to be together, then fate will take its course in bringing them back to one another. He writes his name down on a five dollar bill, which she uses to buy breath mints; destiny, she explains, will determine whether she gets that five dollars back again or not. She then tells him that she will write her name and number in a book, then sell it to a used book store... you get the picture, and they part ways.

Skip ahead a few years, and our two star-crossed lovers have moved on in life: John is days away from being married, while Sara, who now lives in San Francisco, has just become engaged to a musician of the weirdest sort. Of course, John cannot help but take a peek at every bookstore he walks past, while Sara gives hopeful glances at lingering five dollar bills... you get the picture.

When asked if I liked this picture, I answered with a wholehearted yes. After a summer filled with dead-end blockbusters, stunning suspense tinglers, and fresh comedies, "Serendipity" offers its audience a chance to embrace predictability instead of turning away from it. Every aspect of the plot is easily seen ahead of time by those who know their romantic comedies, but this works in the movie's favor, allowing us to kick back and have a good time without any demands on our mind's thought processes.

This is all made extremely likeable by the charming performances from the two leads, who add a great deal of feeling to their characters. Cusack shows a good amount of emotional capacity, enough so that we are willing to go along with his struggle to find his destined soul mate. Beckinsdale, who is quite becoming of the film, plays Sara's change of heart about fate and destiny to perfection, and then one-ups herself when her character again changes her mind and decides to locate John.

As the movie becomes a will-they-or-won't-they-end-up-together romance, we find ourselves in an arena of familiarity. The story supplies Sara and John each a typical best friend, who provide emotional support, and both of whom play a small key role in bringing the two together. In their search for one another, Sara and John will have so many close calls and near-misses (at one point, Sara steps into a taxi just as John runs behind it) that it makes the whole film seem absurd and ludicrous.

The surprise is, however, that it isn't. "Serendipity" is a refreshing piece of fluff that plays by the rules in all the right ways. The predictability of the material is in the film's favor, making no demands on the audience to sort things out. The story is given a verve and tenacity that sparkles like the snows of the Big Apple, while there is humor and sheer whimsy in every aspect of this fantastic fairy tale of chance. Couple that with some strong, inviting leads, and you have a formula for the most successful romantic comedy of the year.

Serendipity and Stupidity
This premise of this movie is just plain idiotic. Sara poses an almost impossible probabalistic challenge for her lover, Jon, by writing her address in a to-be-sold book. If he succeeds in obtaining this book, "fate" has allegedly worked its magic. The problem with this is that we are living in a probabilistic universe. Just how much "fate" do you need, anyway? Is not the chance of them meeting in the first place a miracle of "fate" in itself? Jon should have, in response, proposed tossing Sara off a skyscraper, leaving to "fate" whether she lives or not. The chances of her having a parachute handy is only marginally more likely than Jon finding her book, and far more likely than her finding sanity.

Connect the dots
OK, so you know how this movie will end. A guy and a girl meet each other under weird circumstances, fall in love and meet years later because they are meant for each other. Like so often.

but it's not bad at all, the clues are very funny and even though it's too absurd it is still funny. A nice 'romantic comedy'.

There are some classic moments that couples must have done before or after seeing this movie. Like connecting the dots (freckles) on a girl's arm... sigh... do soulmates really exist?

I loved it!
This is the best romantic comedy I have ever seen! This is really a one to watch!
This is a movie that really gives you a lovely love feeling inside of you! With the jazz music at the background, and showing the beautiful romantic side of New York makes this the most lovely romantic movie for me! (And of course Kate Beckinsale) The extras on the DVD are very good to give you an inside look of making the movie. ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Town and Country: A Tour de Force and a Breath of Fresh Air
Having seen Town and Country twice, I am very surprised by the negative reviews. Here is a film that offered a tour de force in ensemble acting, scenes that were deliciously subtle and laugh-out-loud hilarious, a plot that poked goodnatured fun at both human foibles and society's icons and still managed to address serious issues without somehow trivializing them.

For once you have mature characters (however flawed) played by mature actors, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Gary Shandling whose chemistry and respect for each other fuel the story with an unstoppable energy and generous spirit. The supporting cast with Natassia Kinski, Andie Macdowell, Genna Elfman and Charlton Heston play their roles to perfection.

Town and Country is partly a contemporary and very literate comedy of manners and partly a cautionary tale about taking the gifts we have for granted. Despite his fall from grace, as in any classic comedy, Warren Beatty's character has a chance at redemption and a chance to reclaim conjugal bliss. Regardless of the poor reviews, I predict that Town and Country will prove to be a sleeper classic.

All-star shambles wastes talent in all departments
If taken at face value, you'd expect TOWN AND COUNTRY to be an excellent movie: The script is written by Buck Henry, (co-creator with Mel Brooks of the classic TV comedy GET SMART), directed by Peter Chelsom who made the vastly underappreciated THE MIGHTY and featuring an all-star cast including Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Jenna Elfman, Nastassja Kinski, Andie MacDowell and Charlton Heston. You'd think TOWN AND COUNTRY would be pretty special, right? Wrong.
As soon as you read studio press hailing this as FIRST WIVES CLUB (which starred Keaton and Hawn) meets ANNIE HALL (which also starred Keaton), you just know you're not getting anything new.
Anyway the plot: Porter Stoddard (Beatty) has been happily married to Ellie (Keaton) for a quarter century. But when his best friend Griffin (Garry Shandling) tells him about an affair he had and how great it was; Porter decides to give it a go- by cheating on no less than four women at the same time. These include Mona (Goldie Hawn- still attractive, but obviously uses a double for her sex scene) sexy cellist Alex (Kinski) who plays music in the nude, as well as a ski-er (Andie MacDowell) and a shop owner (Jenna Elfman). Yep, so in a sledgehammer-subtle dig at his wild past, Clyde Barrow himself; toupe clad and wrinkly, every elderly spinster's fantasy man; plays a womaniser! Didn't see that one coming. Another surprise is Charlton Heston's role as MacDowell's dad who just happens to be ... a gun nut. No subtle nuances present in this movie.
TOWN AND COUNTRY veers uneasily between light romantic comedy and screwball farce and doesn't really suceed as either. When will film makers realize an all-star cast is usually a recipe for critical and box office disaster? It all starts with the STORY, people
In summation TOWN AND COUNTRY isn't a total failure, but its more a lumbering actors' showcase than the light entertainment you'd expect. Given the talent involved this is a huge disappointment. I was expecting better from Beatty after his brilliant satire BULWORTH. Watch that instead. And Chelsom should stop trying to be Robert Altman- 90% of the time HIS all-star efforts are garbage- and get back to what he's good at.

Not Worth It
Do not waste your time. In spite of the cast, this movie is a whopping dud. Meandering and unfulfiling. A shame. I'd give it zero stars, but the system won't let me.

One of the worst. movies we've ever tried to watch
This was one of the worst movies my husband and I ever tried to watch. We finally gave up and I threw our DVD away. We were looking forward to watching it because of the cast, but that just proves that you need more than very good actores to make a good movie. Nothing seemed funny to us; I find it strange that it got better reviews than "My Fellow Americans" and "Her Alibi." We enjoyed the first one and thought the second one was cute, but they got trounced. Which might also prove that you have to be an outspoken liberal to get a good review in Hollywood?

Bright and Funny
This film is a hoot. I can only describe it as a less intellectual, brighter form of a Woody Allen film. It's got beautiful shots of New York, it's got the neurotic "uptown" socialites, it's got the midlife crises situations (a re-curring theme in Allen's films), and it's got careless laugh out loud sight gags. A must see...a perfect "sunday afternoon movie." ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Town and Country: A Tour de Force and a Breath of Fresh Air
Having seen Town and Country twice, I am very surprised by the negative reviews. Here is a film that offered a tour de force in ensemble acting, scenes that were deliciously subtle and laugh-out-loud hilarious, a plot that poked goodnatured fun at both human foibles and society's icons and still managed to address serious issues without somehow trivializing them.

For once you have mature characters (however flawed) played by mature actors, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn and Gary Shandling whose chemistry and respect for each other fuel the story with an unstoppable energy and generous spirit. The supporting cast with Natassia Kinski, Andie Macdowell, Genna Elfman and Charlton Heston play their roles to perfection.

Town and Country is partly a contemporary and very literate comedy of manners and partly a cautionary tale about taking the gifts we have for granted. Despite his fall from grace, as in any classic comedy, Warren Beatty's character has a chance at redemption and a chance to reclaim conjugal bliss. Regardless of the poor reviews, I predict that Town and Country will prove to be a sleeper classic.

All-star shambles wastes talent in all departments
If taken at face value, you'd expect TOWN AND COUNTRY to be an excellent movie: The script is written by Buck Henry, (co-creator with Mel Brooks of the classic TV comedy GET SMART), directed by Peter Chelsom who made the vastly underappreciated THE MIGHTY and featuring an all-star cast including Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Jenna Elfman, Nastassja Kinski, Andie MacDowell and Charlton Heston. You'd think TOWN AND COUNTRY would be pretty special, right? Wrong.
As soon as you read studio press hailing this as FIRST WIVES CLUB (which starred Keaton and Hawn) meets ANNIE HALL (which also starred Keaton), you just know you're not getting anything new.
Anyway the plot: Porter Stoddard (Beatty) has been happily married to Ellie (Keaton) for a quarter century. But when his best friend Griffin (Garry Shandling) tells him about an affair he had and how great it was; Porter decides to give it a go- by cheating on no less than four women at the same time. These include Mona (Goldie Hawn- still attractive, but obviously uses a double for her sex scene) sexy cellist Alex (Kinski) who plays music in the nude, as well as a ski-er (Andie MacDowell) and a shop owner (Jenna Elfman). Yep, so in a sledgehammer-subtle dig at his wild past, Clyde Barrow himself; toupe clad and wrinkly, every elderly spinster's fantasy man; plays a womaniser! Didn't see that one coming. Another surprise is Charlton Heston's role as MacDowell's dad who just happens to be ... a gun nut. No subtle nuances present in this movie.
TOWN AND COUNTRY veers uneasily between light romantic comedy and screwball farce and doesn't really suceed as either. When will film makers realize an all-star cast is usually a recipe for critical and box office disaster? It all starts with the STORY, people
In summation TOWN AND COUNTRY isn't a total failure, but its more a lumbering actors' showcase than the light entertainment you'd expect. Given the talent involved this is a huge disappointment. I was expecting better from Beatty after his brilliant satire BULWORTH. Watch that instead. And Chelsom should stop trying to be Robert Altman- 90% of the time HIS all-star efforts are garbage- and get back to what he's good at.

Not Worth It
Do not waste your time. In spite of the cast, this movie is a whopping dud. Meandering and unfulfiling. A shame. I'd give it zero stars, but the system won't let me.

One of the worst. movies we've ever tried to watch
This was one of the worst movies my husband and I ever tried to watch. We finally gave up and I threw our DVD away. We were looking forward to watching it because of the cast, but that just proves that you need more than very good actores to make a good movie. Nothing seemed funny to us; I find it strange that it got better reviews than "My Fellow Americans" and "Her Alibi." We enjoyed the first one and thought the second one was cute, but they got trounced. Which might also prove that you have to be an outspoken liberal to get a good review in Hollywood?

Bright and Funny
This film is a hoot. I can only describe it as a less intellectual, brighter form of a Woody Allen film. It's got beautiful shots of New York, it's got the neurotic "uptown" socialites, it's got the midlife crises situations (a re-curring theme in Allen's films), and it's got careless laugh out loud sight gags. A must see...a perfect "sunday afternoon movie." ... Read more