I don't know why I like this movie. I think it's just because of how crazy funny Julia Roberts starts acting when she finds out her best friend is getting married. Kind of reminds me of some of my crazy ex's.

Heard of the 80/20 rule? Okay, let's park that til later then...

Julia Roberts was as big a female star as we'd seen back in 1997. That was her decade. From Pretty Woman to Notting Hill, she was the world's sweetheart. She had some stickers along the way but nobody held them against her. She was untouchable.

The best evidence of that is this film. She plays an absolutely atrocious bitch in it - yet... it's deemed fine because it's her.

Every decade has an actress who tries to out-do Katharine Hepburn. The sparkle of Bringing Up Baby is what the editor of this film is looking to capture. Roberts is gorgeous in that girl-next-door-with-a-million-watt-smile way. And Dermot Mulroney provides that handsome but dumb male lead that all good rom-coms cast.

The problem watching 20 years after the fact is that the character Julia Roberts plays is a grade A bitch. First round draft pick bitch. And it's impossible to forgive her for her actions.she spends 80% of the running time being atrocious and the final 20% is spent accepting her actions and allowing redemption - with completely out of character reactions to her terrible deeds. Believability = zero.

The film has some positive points - a crowd pleasing rendition of Say A Little Prayer (one of life's perfect songs). And the standout high point of the movie by a clear margin, Rupert Everett's portrayal. The saving grace of this film without question.

At its release I loved this film for its witty take on a romcom. Watching now is a tough task.


6/10

**I've seen much better romantic comedies.**

I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, but I recognize their value and quality. There are a number of very good romantic comedies, in fact, but I'm sorry to say this isn't one of the brightest.

Watching the movie, I felt that a lot of its success or failure depends on how much each viewer likes the main character... and I didn't really feel like I sympathize with her. This character's personality is non-existent... to the point of only discovering that she is in love with her best friend when she is on the verge of seeing him in the arms of another girl. Is it really that difficult to know your own feelings and understand when you love someone?

The script, by the way, is basically based on this premise, and the subsequent struggle to prevent him from actually getting married. It should be mentioned that the two characters had an agreement to marry if they reached the age of 28, which brings us back to that worn out “old spinster” cliché. And of course, there is a homosexual in the middle of this story: a very blatant and stereotypical gay, which should sound offensive to any legitimate homosexual (I believe).

Julia Roberts has shown us her talent many times, and there are several films of hers that I could recommend if asked. However, the actress doesn't do a good job here. I don't know how far this could have been a consequence of poor direction and a pathetic conception of her character, but the actress didn't do well, even though she tries to be nice. For anyone who wants to see her in great shape in a good romantic comedy, there are better movies available. On the other hand, Cameron Diaz reasonably gets rid of what he has in his hands, but he is not in a film that allows him to shine more. Rupert Everett is disappointing and one-dimensional, and Dermot Mulroney doesn't do more than the bare minimum.