I went to this movie expecting my sides to hurt from laughing by the conclusion. Instead I had to fight the temptation to simply walk out. I have no idea how such a top-notch cast and A-list director can create such a train-wreck of a film. I'll tell you right now, the only performance that is any fun to watch is the extremely minor one by Queen Latifah. By my count she appears in all of three scenes and completely steals them.
Everything in the movie is totally predictable and it contains some of the most stilted acting I have seen in a long time. Everything Vince Vaughn does seems completely improvised as if Howard just decided to roll the camera and tell Vince to just do "Vince stuff." If you love Vaughn, you'll enjoy this. But if you've ever seen any other movie in which he stars, you'll feel as if you're watching a re-make. His bromantic partner, Kevin James, just huffs and puffs and fumes through the film without ever actually being the least bit funny. Jennifer Connelly at least gives a believable performance, but has never looked more overly made up and anorexic in any other film she's done.
Lastly, poor Winona Ryder! She is supposed to be a rather unappealing presence in the film, and she succeeds more than I think they ever imagined would be possible. She whines continually and contorts her face in ways I didn't know was humanly possible. I suppose this is good casting, but she is so distracting that it's hard to suspend your disbelief in any of her scenes so that you might enjoy the few entertaining moments in this horrible waste of time and talent.
A major disappointment, especially since my hopes were so high. Pass on this one until it's on DVD, and only then take a look if you can't find anything even remotely better.
Everything in the movie is totally predictable and it contains some of the most stilted acting I have seen in a long time. Everything Vince Vaughn does seems completely improvised as if Howard just decided to roll the camera and tell Vince to just do "Vince stuff." If you love Vaughn, you'll enjoy this. But if you've ever seen any other movie in which he stars, you'll feel as if you're watching a re-make. His bromantic partner, Kevin James, just huffs and puffs and fumes through the film without ever actually being the least bit funny. Jennifer Connelly at least gives a believable performance, but has never looked more overly made up and anorexic in any other film she's done.
Lastly, poor Winona Ryder! She is supposed to be a rather unappealing presence in the film, and she succeeds more than I think they ever imagined would be possible. She whines continually and contorts her face in ways I didn't know was humanly possible. I suppose this is good casting, but she is so distracting that it's hard to suspend your disbelief in any of her scenes so that you might enjoy the few entertaining moments in this horrible waste of time and talent.
A major disappointment, especially since my hopes were so high. Pass on this one until it's on DVD, and only then take a look if you can't find anything even remotely better.