Monster In Law

Maybe if you are looking for a film that you can watch while doing something else and occasionally glancing at the film, then maybe you would enjoy it. I, needless to say, did not. the actors where wrongly chosen and the script was predictable. For such a...., longing of a word, small short film it had too many scenes but still easy to follow because of the predictableness. I wouldn't recommend this if you are looking for a good 'sit down and enjoy film' then Monster in Law is not for you.

Fonda making a come back to the screen in Monster In Law, does it very well, and working across to Jennifer Lopez makes her acting stand out, as she is the perfect person to play the mother in this film. One of the funniest films I've seen this year.

Monster In Law is predictable and very boring. Fonda's absence from the acting scene is easy to explain here. She has aged quite badly and adds no depth to the character, which in anothers hands could have been realistic and funny. But her poor performance cannot hide Lopez's lack of charm and warmth to the picture. Thank goodness she did not sing!

Overall, a very poor cousin to Meet the Parents. Save your money for Star Wars.

Monster-in-Law is a film that tastes sweet and is easy to swallow. With plenty of rom in this com, its easy to be taken in by the simple characters and the simple plot. Of course, its simplicity and its desire to be nothing but a mediocre and unimaginative film are Monster-in-Law's failings, although the return of Jane Fonda to the screen (as the monster Viola) after a fifteen year absence and her chemistry with Wanda Sykes as her long-suffering maid Ruby puts the icing on a mostly flavourless yet fulfilling cake.

The story begins as Charlotte (Jennifer Lopez) and Kevin (Michael Vartan) meet for the first time. More screen time is spent on Charlotte's relationship with the dogs she walks than her love affair with Kevin, and thus the film's entire set-up is disappointingly flaccid. Very little happens between the two lovers other than some tickling, mild groping and a wedding proposal. With such a weak bond, it seems completely unbelievable that Barbarella would not be capable of splitting them apart, yet the audience soon learns that Charlotte is willing to put more time into getting revenge on Viola than she is her wedding preparations - such is the state of modern marriage.

Nonetheless, the warfare between Charlotte and Viola is enjoyable to behold, although it is not the situations that have the audience laughing so much as the actresses themselves: Viola falling unconscious into her dinner is a rip tickling clich . Yet, it seems very possible that without Fonda in the role of the mother-in-law (she certainly deserves a title role) the comedy in the film could well have been lacking. Although she certainly aids the comedic moments, it is Wanda Sykes as Ruby who steals the show (more so than Elaine Strich's cameo which is not nearly as triumphant as director Robert Luketic thinks it is). Sykes, who embodies a clone of the role she plays in Curb Your Enthusiasm, is a great background player, supporting the rest of the cast as they tackle the film's unchallenging dramatic moments. Ruby's dry humour and relationship with Viola keeps the pace moving, such is her comic capability in the hilarious 'nut in the gravy' scene.

Whilst its comedy is successful, there is little else to add any depth to this film. Luketic tries nothing new with the genre and the final scene, although admittedly quite touching, is an abrupt turnaround that reflects the shallow nature of the newly wed couple's relationship. Monster-in-Law is far from perfect, but everyone involved puts in enough effort to make this an enjoyable ninety minutes of cinema. Simplistic but sweet.

Rating: 3/5

By Josh Morrall