Monster-in-Law (2005)

            This old fashioned romantic comedy contains the basic ingredients that were in films of the 40s and 50s, a perfect couple discovers each other by accident and it's love at first sight, but there's an impossible obstacle.  For this story, the obstacle is Viola, Kevin's mother-in-law, played by Jane Fonda.  She dominates scenes in much the same way that Rosalind Russell did in Auntie Mame (1958).  The primary difference being that the scenes in Mame's New York apartment were a class of glitz one step more sophisticated than Viola's ostentatious nouveau riche mansion.

            The storyline made use of basic relationship facts to connect with the audience; men are drawn to women with characteristics like their mother; similar personalities can begin a relationship in conflict that ends in friendship; the instability of a triad relationship creates tension.  All of these factors fed comic scenes that were feasible, believable, outrageous and very funny.

            Jennifer Lopez plays Charlie, a medical receptionist, dog walker and wannabe artist.  The love affair begins the film when she sees Kevin several times in one day and is smitten.  Lopez has developed as an actress and she holds her own quite well sharing the spotlight with Fonda.  You know what their characters are thinking by their expressions more than their dialogue.

            Michael Vartan plays Kevin, a doctor and Charlie's love interest.  He is also smitten and for a doctor, is remarkably available.  In fact we never see him doctoring, but his role is really only that of an iconic love interest, so his character is never developed.  Vartan is basically a pretty face and a trim body.  He was born in France and began his career with a couple of French films in the early 90s.

            The secret weapon in this film is Wanda Sykes who plays Ruby, Viola's personal assistant.  She is terrific as both a "straight man" for Viola and a comedian with some wonderful throw-away lines.  With a BS from Hampton U., Sykes switched to stand-up comedy after a success in the Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C.

            Reviewed October 25, 2005                Copyright 2005 Charles T. Markee

            MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sex references and language.