Columbia Pictures Corporation, Gracie Films, Road Rebel
Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Kathryn Hahn, Mark Linn-Baker, Shelley Conn, Lenny Venito, Molly Price, John Tormey, Teyonah Parris, Tony Shalhoub, Dean Norris
All-Star player on Team USA softball, Lisa (Reese Witherspoon) is getting older and has just been cut from the team by her coach. This makes her feel pretty bad about herself and wonder about her life and her boy friend Matty who is a playboy pro baseball pitcher who’s idea of life is at about a 14 year old level. Meanwhile, corporate executive George (Paul Rudd) is served with a subpoena. It seems the Feds are after him about something he knows nothing about. Everything falls apart quickly and he’s faced with a difficult problem. Tell the truth and send his dad (Jack Nicholson) to jail for the rest of his life, or take the fall and put in an easy 3 years or so. But George meets Lisa and sets them both down a path of making difficult decisions together.
This is a pretty fair romantic comedy, although there’s not a great many huge laughs, it is light and easy while at the same time dealing with very tough problems. Naturally it follows the formula, but it a lot of ways is pretty unique in the way it deals with them. I am torn in how to recommend this movie. I enjoyed it a lot, but at the same time, I think a lot of people may not. It’s very subtle in the way the story develops and it’s possible to completely miss the point. The last 10 seconds of the final shot wraps up the story perfectly, but I suspect many people will be left with a final “Hunh?”
Both Paul and Reese are charming in this film with just the right mix of neurosis and charm to be lovable while they’re falling apart. At the same time, this movie is driven by wonderful supporting characters. Owen Wilson is really good as a playboy pro baseball pitcher who has the idea that life is a long line of beautiful girls. He really likes Lisa, but he can’t seem to get it right. Jack Nicholson is not in a big role, but every moment he’s on screen is really great. He’s a lovable jerk. You can’t help but love him and hate him at the same time. Paul’s pregnant assistant Annie (Kathryn Hahn) is also very good in a small role. She wants to support George and really cares about him, but has been warned not to disclose anything that’s going on. She fills a very important role in the film too. I enjoyed watching this a lot, and enjoyed the sport background but it’s not really a sports film. But the fact they are both athletes adds another level to the story. If you’re a fan of the Romantic Comedy genre, this one isn’t bad at all!
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