Monster-in-Law

by

debbie lynn elias

Charlotte “Charlie” Cantilini has finally found Mr. Right. After years of one dating disaster after another, Charlie its it big when she meets Kevin Fields, Dr. Kevin Fields. Handsome, tall enough that she can wear heels, sexy, financially secure, (did I mention handsome?) And a doctor. A woman’s dream come true and almost every mother’s dream for their daughter. But what about every mother’s dream for their son? Charlie on the other hand is slightly dim-witted, gives new meaning to the term “dumb blonde” even though she’s not blonde, and has no direction or goal in her life whatsoever. A dog walker, a temp receptionist, wanna-be painter. . .all come in second to her main concern - finding a husband. (And I thought we were in the 21st century!) Overjoyed with her relationship and with her doctor boyfriend, you can just imagine Charlie’s absolutely blissful giddiness and glee when Kevin asks her to become “Mrs. Dr. Kevin Fields.” But wait a minute! Too much joy isn’t good - especially when the proposal comes in front of your future mother-in-law. And what a potential mother-in-law Charlie has - Viola Fields. A self-proclaimed Barbara Walters style journalist (and who can also be described as a psychotic lush), Viola has just been let go by her network in favor of a “more youthful demographic” reporter. She has also just left a recent stay in the looney bin following an “attempted murder” of a 17 year old Britney Spears look-alike during an interview in which the interviewee refers to Roe vs. Wade as being a boxing bout. Suffering the loss of her job (which was unjustifiable of course), Viola determines to not lose her son s well and sets out on a mission; to become the world’s worst mother-in-law. With the help of her trusted assistant Ruby, Viola embarks on a journey that helps make Cruella de Vil look like Mary Poppins!

Written by newcomer Anya Kochoff, a visible effort is made to emulate the haphazard comedic antics of weddings much along the lines of “Meet the Parents”, “Father of the Bride” and “The Philadelphia Story.” Sadly, the dialogue here lacks the crispness and freshness of similarly-themed predecessors and fails further with a glaring lack of diversified events on which to build comedic continuity. But all is not lost, and it is the work of Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes that carries this film, making it hysterically funny, over-the-top and down right enjoyable.

Marking her first screen appearance in 15 years, Fonda sparkles like the newest gem on the planet, Moissanite. With more brightness, clarity and fire than the Hope diamond, Fonda’s razor sharp timing and slapstick comedy makes Viola deliciously despicable. As funny as she was in “9 to 5", that’s nothing compared to her work here. Turning the destroy-future-daughter-in-law mission into a two woman tag team is Wanda Sykes as Viola’s assistant Ruby, who together with Fonda is beyond reproach. Not a big fan of Sykes with some of her one woman routines, paired with Fonda, she is beyond reproach. Unfortunately, we are also faced with Jennifer Lopez who, while she atones somewhat for “Gigli” and “Enough”, is nothing but an annoyance as the hapless cutesy husband seeker. Lacking in both timing and chemistry with co-star Michael Vartan who plays fiancee Charlie, it’s a blessing when the film concentrates on Fonda and Sykes who keep things energetic, fast-paced and even in the throws of lunacy - likeably laughable. At one point in the film, Lopez’ Charlie turns from cutesy to vengeful and rather than giving the character some mettle, only serves to make her even more unlikeable. Michael Vartan is a big disappointment, not only due to his lack of chemistry with Lopez, but also due to a vacuous character left with nothing to do, something I attribute to Kochoff’s script and not Vartan’s skills. An added plus to the project is an appearance by the legendary Elaine Stritch whose comedic skills add substance and style to the film, serving as a balance to Fonda’s Viola.

Although a good portion of the blame for the shallowness and inconsistency of this film falls to screenwriter Kochoff, director Robert Luketic shoulders part of that burden as well. Breaking onto the scene with “Legally Blonde!”, Luketic showed a keen directorial eye and feel for comedy. With “Monster-in-Law”, already languishing in the first third of the movie from the lack of chemistry between Vartan and Lopez and, let’s face it - the boring, over extended set-up of the relationship set up between the two, Luketic does nothing to try and “correct” the cliched one-joke-premise script deficiencies or make the vapid characters and scenes more interesting. Where he does excel, however, is when Fonda and Sykes let loose at which point it seems clear that camera work and editing get a boost of energy and pacing that follows the timing of these two dynamic women.

Despite its shortcomings (not the least of which is Lopez), “Monster-in-Law” is the first must-see film of the spring and summer thanks to Jane Fonda’s Viola. If anyone can hold their own against The Dark Side at the box office this summer, Fonda is the one to do it. “Monster in-Law” - for the monster, er - mother, in all of us.

Viola Fields: Jane Fonda Charlotte “Charlie” Cantilini: Jennifer Lopez Dr. Kevin Fields: Michael Vartan Ruby: Wanda Sykes

Directed by Robert Luketic. Written by Anya Kochoff. A New Line Cinema release. Rated PG-13. (102 min)