I don't know... for me, this movie will always be known as the film Chris Columbus directed instead of THE FANTASTIC FOUR. And that told me that the man that wrote GREMLINS surely must be dead. How one could choose a touching drama about love and family over a film about four superpowered heroes fighting Dr Doom.... And it wasn't like he didn't have a great script, dammit that Michael France draft kicked ass all up and down the street. The Sam Hamm draft is good, but it felt like a budget draft where they were cutting showcases. NOTE TO PRODUCERS AND STUDIOS: If you aren't going to make the Fantastic Four do FANTASTIC things... what's the point in making the damn movie. I'm tired of crap like this. WHen is a studio going to grow a ball-sack and get the nerve to make a great SUPERHERO movie? One that stays true to it's sources, that does the things we've never seen before... oh...dammit, I forgot, I'm writing an intro to a STEPMOM review... sigh... there are spoilers below that could ruin a major plot twist in the film, so know this, she loved the film. That's all you really need to know, but here's the review for those of you that don't mind being spoiled....
I was able to see an advance copy of "Stepmom" last night, and I didn't see any reviews of it on your site, so I thought I'd drop you a quick line about it.
I was scared it was going to be one of those movies whose good, emotional moments are all in the trailer, so by the time you see them in the actual film they've lost all "oomph." But that wasn't the case; it was a wonderful, heart-wrenching, funny look at a family.
The movie is basically a showcase for Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's great to see two wonderful actresses up on the screen interacting. This was Julia Roberts' best part in years, maybe ever. While she was funny in "My Best Friends' Wedding," there was an annoying part of her that kept the viewer from really identifying with her character. Here, she finally has a complete, mature adult character. She is not Supermom, but she's definitely a competent adult who really cares about her fiance's kids and has certain talents with them. Susan Sarandon also has a great part: the mom who can do anything and can't understand it when other people can't. Neither character is the good or bad one--they're both good people who have very different approaches to life. And neither of them is afraid to stand their ground, which makes for some *great* exchanges.
And though, yes, Susan's character gets terminal cancer, there's not a false emotional note. This isn't just a three-hanky weeper; it's more about trying to resolve everything while you can and coming to terms with not being able to participate in your children's future.
The daughter's character was annoying, the boy was cute, Ed Harris was just fine, but it's mostly a movie about Julia and Susan, and they don't disappoint.
If you use this, you may call me Svetty.
