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The Detroit News
May 13, 2005
Jane and Jen ready for a showdown
Fonda and Lopez offer up laughs in 'Monster,' an amiable, simple and wholly mediocre film.
By Tom Long
SPOILERS!
'Monster-in-Law'
GRADE: B-
Rated PG-13 for sex references and language
Running time: 102 minutes
Expectations will certainly be met with "Monster-in-Law," the funny-enough romantic comedy that signals Jane Fonda's return to the big screen. The good news is, if you've seen the previews or even just know the premise, the movie delivers precisely what it promises. The bad news -- which isn't really all that bad -- is it delivers not one ounce more.
Things start out a bit clumsy, with Jennifer Lopez playing Charlotte, a young lady who can't seem to settle on either an occupation or a love life. Then she meets the perfect guy, Kevin (Michael Vartan), a doctor who falls head over heels for her, despite the fact that her primary job is dog-walker.
The problem at the beginning is Lopez -- who exudes sexuality, confidence and something at least resembling street cred -- doesn't quite cut it playing a dewy-eyed innocent. Luckily, she doesn't have to play one for long. Because in storms Fonda as Viola, only-son Kevin's overprotective and peerlessly powerful mother.
A veteran TV newswoman (think Barbara Walters) who has just been put out to pasture by the network, Viola is looking for some project to build back her confidence and take out her frustration. When she finds out Kevin intends to marry Charlotte, she makes their breakup her mission.
You can pretty much get all this from any TV commercial and tell where things are going to go. Viola tries to drive Charlotte away by taking over the wedding plans. She tries to embarrass her in front of rich and famous people. When those ploys don't work, Viola fakes illness to gain sympathy. And like any good son, Kevin asks Charlotte to accommodate his mom.
Of course, Kevin has to go on a business trip and leave Viola convalescing at home with Charlotte. And of course Charlotte catches on to her conniving ways. And then they go to war.
"Monster-in-Law" is one of those high-concept projects where the entirety of the enterprise is pretty much summed up in the title and premise, and the plot could easily be boiled down to sitcom length. What makes the movie work is the chemistry between the suddenly feisty Lopez and the downright imperious Fonda, who also has enough sense to let herself go when the time is right.
In fact, Fonda couldn't have asked for a better re-entry project than this. Coming back with some heavy drama would have seemed too sanctimonious. In "Monster" she gets to ridicule her own powerful, iron-woman presence and skewer any hint of self-inflation. She's funny throughout the film; and yes, she looks fabulous and fully her age.
Lopez again shows she was born to make better movies than she makes, including this one. Vartan, from TV's "Alias," has little to do beyond look dreamy and sympathetic; and Wanda Sykes, playing Viola's long-suffering assistant, adds consistent spark, although her delivery is always better than the line she's delivering.
And that's pretty much the all-around case with "Monster-in-Law." Amiably directed by Robert Luketic ("Legally Blonde"), the film's parts are far better than the whole, which is utterly predictable fluff. Still, fluff has it's place, and it's awfully good to see feel-the-burn Jane back in action, unrepentant and laughing at herself and the world.
You can reach Tom Long at tlong@detnews.com. And join him for Reel Talk, a movie preview and discussion, monthly at the Star Southfield Theatre. To register call (313) 222-1457, (313) 222-1458, or go online at www.detnews.com/entertainment.
© The Detroit News 2005
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