Full Stop

Comedy unfare

by Kumkum J

Cover girl and Oscar winner Julia Roberts is Kiki Harrison, the sister and assistant of spoiled movie diva Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones). Kiki finds herself entangled in her sister’s tantrums. The task of keeping the peace between Gwen and her husband Eddie Thomas (Cusack), once known as America’s Sweethearts, falls on Kiki and Lee Phillips (Crystal), a veteran studio publicist. Eddie Thomas and Gwen Harrison split up after Eddie discovers that she had an affair with one of her co-stars (Hank Azaria). However, it is up to Lee Phillips who is a former studio publicist to keep them together while promoting their last movie. If he succeeds he is promised to be given his job back. Having had nine super hit movies before Gwen and Eddie split up, it is Lee’s job to ensure that this one too gets good publicity and becomes a box office success. For this he has to bring Gwen and Eddie together.

Eddie is still in love with Gwen but at the same time a little nervous at the thought of meeting her. On the other hand Gwen is getting their divorce papers ready. She uses Kiki to get her messages across to Eddie. Kiki on the other hand has a yen for her brother-in-law. Eddie is also attracted to Kiki and realises that she is the right woman for him. The movie is rather ineptly directed by former Disney studio chief Joe Roth. As a result, you can sense the performers are straining to make the material funnier, though Zeta-Jones sometimes tries too hard. Of the bunch, the only one who comes close to being likeable is Roberts’ Kiki.

With Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hank Azaria, “America’s Sweethearts” looks like a can’t-miss at the box office. However, it is a badly attempted comedy.

Movie: America’s Sweethearts

Starring: Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal

Director: Joe Roth

Producer: Billy Crystal, Susan Arnold and Donna Roth.