I'm going to refrain from commenting on Hallenbeck's earlier review of this film, but here comes an alternate viewpoint from Mr. Jenkins. Note that there are minor spoilers in this very positive review.
I just saw a preview screening of 6 DAYS/7 NIGHTS in New York and couldn't disagree with Hallenbach's review more. Ivan Reitman's new film is a throwback to the kinds of romantic comedies they don make anymore (think of THE AFRICAN QUEEN). Like those older films, it's cheesy and silly, strictly lightweight material. But it is well done, it is beautifully shot, and it is entertaining.
Anne Heche plays a New Yorker who works at a Vogue-like magazine who goes to the Polynesian islands with her boyfriend (played by David Schwimmer) on vacation. There they meet a scruffy, rough around the edges pilot (Harrison Ford) who flies them to the remote island where there hotel is. Along for the ride is his sometime girlfriend, Angelina.
Once they reach the hotel, Schwimmer proposes to Heche and she happily accepts. But she soon receives a call from her boss back in New York (a funny bit part played by Allison Janney), who tells her that she needs Heche to fly to Tahiti to oversee a last minute photo shoot for the magazine (apparently it was hard to get Evander Holyfield and Vendela in the same place at the same time). Heche has no choice but to pay Ford $700 to fly her to Tahiti. On the way there, they run into some bad weather and crash on a remote island. The rest of the film revolves around their attempts to get back to civilization, and, it goes without saying, they grow close while there. After an encounter with some pirates, they fly back to civilization. Once back, they go their separate ways, but Heche discovers that Schwimmer slept with Angelina during her absence. True to formula, her and Ford end up together in the end.
A formulaic plot with nothing surprising in it. But the two stars manage to transcend the material, making the dialogue sound like witty banter. It is funny, and there portrayals are endearing, especially Ms. Heche's, something I never thought I'd say (I hated everything about VOLCANO, thought she was the only drawback to DONNIE BRASCO, and was the weak link in WAG THE DOG). Here, however, she proves that she is good at comedy, yet holds her own against Harrison. As for Mr. Ford, he acquits himself admirably in a part that represents some much needed variety for him.
All in all, it ain't rocket science, and it won't change how you view the world, but it's not meant to be either of those things. It's a good time while it lasts.
