Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield PG-13 |
COMEDY-DRAMA
"Sometimes good people do bad things," says Ethan (John Krasinski), summing up how perpetual doormat Rachel (Goodwin) could betray her vapid, selfish best friend Darcy (Hudson) with Darcy's fiance, Dex (Egglesfield). That's right: The good girl is cheating with the bad girl's guy. If that sounds complicated, it's because Something Borrowed, based on Emily Giffin's bestseller, aims for something deeper than the generic rom-com. We root for the cosmically meant-to-be Dex and Rachel while hating their deception. It's not all heavy, though. Goodwin and Egglesfield have real chemistry, while Hudson, Krasinski and Steve Howey (as Dex's waggish buddy Marcus) are hilarious. Besides, it's nice to see a film put as much emphasis on a female friendship as it does on their love lives.
Jumping the Broom
Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Angela Bassett | PG-13 |
COMEDY
As an African-American newlywed, I'm relieved to see a wedding movie with people of color that (mostly) gets it right. Drama threatens Jason (Alonso) and Sabrina's (Patton) nuptials at her pad on Martha's Vineyard: Her wealthy parents (Bassett and Brian Stokes Mitchell) are bickering, his postal worker mom (Loretta Devine) hates rich people, and the wedding planner (the fantastically funny Julie Bowen) is a mess. To top it off, Jason and Sabrina haven't made it past third base, thanks to Sabrina's pact with God. The religious talk is a bit heavy (Bishop T.D. Jakes is a producer), but never gets in the way of a good joke. And Jumping has plenty, even as it tackles class issues bubbling up like champagne.
The Beaver
Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin PG-13 |
DRAMA
Forget his real life. In this movie, Gibson has a puppet that's funny, cocky and talks like Michael Caine-and that's plenty to chew on. Suicidally depressed, Walter (Gibson) uses his "therapy puppet" to interact with the world. But why does the world put up with it? Walter's wife (Foster, who also directed) never even calls his doctor. (How director Foster made actress Foster do a love scene with Gibson and the beaver, I'll never know.) That said, the film is boldly original. Gibson delivers in a tricky, tragicomic role, and Yelchin shines as Walter's miserable son.
As Ethan, Rachel's (Goodwin) confidant since childhood and Something Borrowed's voice of reason, Krasinski is so forthright and funny it's easy to forget he isn't actually in the center of the film's crazy love triangle. Plus, his scenes with Ashley Williams's unabashedly lovesick Claire are a study in comic timing.
WHAT I Love THIS WEEK
NO STRINGS ATTACHED
ON DVD
The supporting cast is as funny as stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher in this raunchy rom-com.
CHRIS 'LUDACRIS' BRIDGES
IN FAST FIVE
Let others drive. Bridges and costar Tyrese Gibson deliver the comedy.
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
IN MEEK'S CUTOFF AND BLUE VALENTINE
See her gutsy work onscreen in the Oregon Trail period piece or at home in her Oscar-nominated relationship drama. It's a win/win.
TOP MOVIE WEDDINGS
FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
Such a funny concept about how people have to behave at a wedding. I love Andie MacDowell.
THE BEST MAN
As a black woman, it's great to have a movie you can claim with pride. In the end, everyone could connect to it.
RUNAWAY BRIDE
Julia Roberts is the ultimate romantic comedy actress!
Foster, who has stood by her longtime pal through his troubles, says the edgy role was very personal for Gibson. "The most beautiful part of Mel, I think, is onscreen," she says. "People will see what an incredibly deep performance he gives, and hopefully they'll have some insight into who Mel is as a human being."
CHRIS HEMSWORTH
The Aussie actor, 27, got ripped to play the Norse god and comic-book hero.
FIRST THING'S FIRST: HOW HEAVY IS THOR'S HAMMER?
I don't have the exact weight, but it needed to have some weight to it to dictate more powerful movements. Let's just say 200 lbs. to make me sound cool.
EITHER WAY, YOU'RE IN INSANE SHAPE.
I tracked down a great trainer, Duffy Gaver, who trained Brad Pitt in Troy. And every hour or two something was being consumed-and not pizza and hamburgers and fun stuff.
HOW DID YOU UNWIND AFTER?
I went to Indonesia and had lots of nasi goreng, which is like fried rice, and Bintang beer.
DID YOUR WIFE, FAST FIVE'S ELSA PATAKY, GO?
I went a few times and she came once. We like to stay active, and the surfing there is the biggest attraction.
DOES SHE ASK YOU TO LIFT MORE NOW?
If there's work to be done, she'd say, "Let's put that body to work!" [laughs] No. That sounds ridiculous.
