Did You Hear About The Morgans?

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 18, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

Plot 411: Separated couple Meryl and Paul Morgan witness a murder and are put into the witness protection program.

Review: Meryl (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Paul (Hugh Grant) are a high-power New York couple who have been separated for several months due to Paul's one night stand. He has tried to win Meryl back but has been unsuccessful. After a night out where they an attempt to patch things up, the couple witness the murder of one of Meryl's clients. They are temporarily placed in protective custody in Ray, Wyoming until separate accommodations can be arranged. Here they are forced to work out their marital problems. This sounds like the plot of a murder mystery or suspense thriller, but it's really a rom com in disguise . . . or not. Parker is pretty much revisiting her character from Sex In The City - a sophisticated New Yorker who is an optimist when it comes to love. Grant reprises his role again (and yes, I do me "role" singularly). Has he ever played someone other than the funny and slightly awkward British dude? If you can overlook this, the movie is pretty much par for the course. I mean, it's not belly-aching funny but it has its moments. This is mostly due to Grant. Perfect characters in this film are Emma (Mary Steenburgen) and Clay (Sam Elliott), the law enforcement officers who look after Paul and Meryl in Wyoming. They are superbly cast. I love them in these roles.

Watch It: But don't expect too much from it. It's just a mediocre rom com.

Skip It: And watch Something's Gotta Give for a more mature rom com that's twice as funny and definitely got a better script.

Two Weeks Notice

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 20, 2002

DVD Release Date: April 29, 2003

Plot 411: When Lucy becomes a corporate lawyer to save her beloved community center she discovers a whole new world of superficiality in George.

Review: Environmental lawyer Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is hired by rich real estate developr George (Hugh Grant) with the understanding that if she works has his chief counsel he will stop the destruction of Coney Island Community Center. She quickly finds out that George is hopelessly unable to make decisions on his own. She becomes not only his lawyer but his personal assistant in every matter in his life. Thoroughly fed up with his behavior, she puts in her resignation notice and agrees to train her replacement. This comes in the form of a inexperienced but beautiful June (Alicia Witt). During this time, both Lucy and George realize just how much they really enjoy each others company. But with the development of the community center back on, will they be able to reconcile with each other? The movie is a breezy comedy in which Bullock and Grant have great chemistry. She plays the girl-next-door character and he plays the zaney Brit. In general, this is a movie made at probably the height of both of their careers during a time when everything they touched turned into gold. That should be enough of a description to know what it's about and how things'll end.

Watch It: For great, but very predictable, comedic beats.

Skip It: Because it's just another conventional romantic comedy.

Maurice

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: September 18, 1987

DVD Release Date: February 24, 2004

Plot 411: A young man confronts, indulges and accepts his homosexuality in early 1900 England.

Review: Based on a book of the same name by E.M. Forster, this movie follows a young man's journey into adulthood and his gradual acceptance of his sexuality. It is amazing to me that Forster wrote this book in about 1913 and that, I must assume, it depicts homosexuality of that time accurately. To be gay and be so confined and restrained due to society and laws is almost unthinkable today. Yes, there may still be people whose views of sexuality in general mimic those of the early 20th century, but for the most part society accepts people of all shapes, sizes, colors and lifestyles. This movie really puts a face on people who lived 100 years ago and of the strict structure in England. James Wilby plays the title role while Hugh Grant and Rupert Graves support. The emotional turmoil the characters feel is quite evident in the actors' faces despite the prim and proper way of life during this time. Overall, I thought the plot was really engaging and that there should be more coming-of-age films like this one - gay and straight.

Watch It: For a British period piece that deals with 20th century social qualms.

Skip It: If frontal nudity and same-sex kissing upsets you. There seems to be more kissing in this one than in Brokeback Mountain, however, it's less intense.

Trailer:

Love Actually

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 7, 2003

DVD Release Date: April 27, 2004

Plot 411: A vignette of every possible situation in which love occurs.

Review: This is my all-time favorite romantic comedy because the movie touches on so many different versions and meanings of love. As in life, not every story ends happily. Some are bittersweet. Some are downright sad. It's one of the most realistic rom coms out there. Also, this movie is truly made up of an ensemble cast:

Colin Firth - His awkwardness plays well in this film and seems to be amplified somehow.
Laura Linney - She is so, so good in this film that she'll make you cry.
Hugh Grant - Despite playing the prime minister, he somehow manages to still be the same goofy guy he is in every movie. Most people would fault him for this but I adore him still.
Emma Thompson - Her storyline is difficult but there's such a great song tied to her. It's heart-wrenchingly melancholy.
Liam Neeson - He plays a single father of a child that is not his. Tough, tough role but does a great job.
Kiera Knightley - Although I don't care for her much, some of you might. The storyline involving her is so romantic and bittersweet that it breaks my heart every time I watch the movie.
Rodrigo Santoro - One word: HOT! And no, he doesn't look like he did in 300.

Watch It: For a vastly different sort of romantic comedy than you're used to.

Skip It: If multiple storylines confuse you. Everyone is related to someone else in this film.

Trailer: