The Daily Mirror (UK)
May 2005
Outlawed By the In-Laws
By David Edwards
SPOILERS!
Many thanks to Carol-Anne for the transcript!
4 stars out of 5... "See it"
Is your mother-in-law a bit of a dragon? Is she always nitpicking when she comes to stay? Does the old battleaxe leave you with the impression you'll never be good enough for her son/daughter? Well you ain't see nothing yet. In this hilarious black comedy, Jane Fonda pulls out all the stops to play a deranged, Martini-guzzling monster who'll do anything to prevent her son getting married. And the result - I kid you not - is the funniest movie I've seen since 'Meet The Parents'.
The object of Fonda's ire is Jennifer Lopez who plays Charlie, a sweet, downhome thirtysomething who's been holding out for the right man. When Mr. Right arrives in the shape of a hunky surgeon called Kevin (Michael Varton [sic]), the pair quickly start planning their wedding. But while Kevin is the man of Charlie's dreams, his mum, Voila, is the woman of her worst nightmares. After losing her job as a TV presenter, she's not about to let her precious little boy go so easily.
So, with the help of her scheming PA (the excellent Wanda Sykes), Viola tries every trick in the book to drive away 'that slut', feigning a breakdown so she can live with the couple and even trying to poison her future daughter-in-law. Fonda, making her movie comeback after 15 years, is just priceless as the alcoholic, deranged Viola, rolling her eyes in horror every time she sets eyes on Charlie. As for J-Lo, well, she never really convinces as a simple, happy-go-lucky ditz. That aside, this is a brilliantly black comedy that everybody will love. Apart from your mother-in-law.
The Reel Lowdown:
Best Quote: Viola: "At my age, if it ain't broke, you fix it before it is."
Best Bit: Viola has a mental breakdown while presenting her TV show.
Worst Bit: A predictably saccharine ending.
If You Liked... Meet the Parents, Guess Who... YOU'LL LIKE THIS.
© The Daily Mirror 2005
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