As I may have mentioned in previous reviews, I feel chills up and down my spine when the official wife of this movie reviewer picks up a disc and says “This looks good!”  As an eternal lover of formulatic movies (especially rom-coms), the official wife’s tastes are diametrically different than mine. 

Worst part is, this movie stars two of my least favourite actors in the world.  Sarah Jessica Parker (she of the huge head) always seems to play high strung, loud and needy characters.  I avoid these people like the plague in real life.  And although Hugh Grant appears to be a genial sort, is there any discernable difference between any of the different characters he has played in a number of different rom-coms?

So, in reviewing this movie, I had a few challenges in front of me.  I needed to watch the whole movie, stay awake, go in to it with an open mind, and not loudly predict what was going to happen (or face censure from the official wife). 

Film

This is a below average rom-com, and hence earns a below average grade.

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker play Paul and Meryl Morgan, an upwardly mobile New York couple.  However, they are currently in the middle of a separation, caused by Paul having a one-time affair while away on business.  Although Paul is looking for ways to try and keep their marriage together, Meryl appears to be ready to throw in the towel.

When leaving a restaurant together, they witness a client of Meryl’s being murdered.  And of course, the killer has to make himself implausibly yet explicitly visible so that our protagonists have a need to go into witness protection.

I’ve never really thought of someone trying to murder others in cold blood as particularly humorous, but at least it provides us with the “fish out of water” story we need by sending New Yorkers to Wyoming.  In Wyoming, we get to see every sort of country/western/rural stereotype there is, such as guns, bears, horses, small-town living, bear spray, multi-meat breakfasts, and a Costco-like store.  And of course we wonder, “Do you think this experience will get them back together?” like we don’t know the answer.

After watching the movie for some time, one strangely finds themselves siding with the hitman.  Meryl is a perfect example of a self-absorbed high-strung Type A personality career woman, while Paul is a eunuch-like sissified excuse for a man.  Not only does it become difficult to root for these characters, I found myself rooting against them (or at least wishing Paul would get away from Meryl with some shred of masculinity still intact).  At least if the hitman got them, the movie would thankfully be over.

The only highlight of the movie was the Morgans’ hosts.  Sam Elliot plays fully to character as Marshall Clay Wheeler, while the ever-lovely Mary Steenburgen plays his wife Emma, also a Marshall.  Both have a worldly charm and likeability to them, and only further contrasts how needy, self-absorbed, and soft both Meryl and Paul are.    

In all fairness to the film, there are some funny scenes, though most involve Hugh Grant being injured.  However, the other creepy scenes (like being stalked by a relentless hitman) sort of take the air out of even the funny bits.  The ending was also a bit surprising – I’ve never seen a “fish out of water” movie where the characters don’t decide to stay wherever it is that they are.

Video

Despite the tepid and treacly nature of the movie, I would have difficulty in criticizing the transfer.  I found the picture to be sharp and natural looking with appropriate grain throughout the movie.  Lighting was used well – even the scene shot in the Costco-like store had Costco-like lighting.

Importantly, dark scenes did not swim in excess grain nor show signs of unwanted noise.  In fact, I do not recall seeing any video issues such as black crush or macroblocking throughout the movie.  Outside scenes were vibrant with color, and looked very nice.

Although this is not a reference-level disc (the material simply isn’t challenging enough) the quality of the transfer was admirable, and should make most video enthusiasts happy.

Audio

Like most rom-coms, this movie is very talky, and will not maximize the full potential of your home theatre system.  As expected, the mix is very front-heavy.

However, there were some disappointments with the soundtrack.  Dynamic levels were not well managed – Sam Elliot came through regularly at a higher volume than the other actors, and varying centre levels had me reaching for the remote.

Surround speakers are also an afterthought; there is so little information going to the surrounds that they become distracting when something clearly is there.  A great example of this is when the Morgans go to the local rodeo and someone starts clapping in the previously silent surround right channel; it is enough to make you jump out of your seat.

Generally, this is just an average audio presentation, and does not match the quality of the video presentation. 

Special Features

The special features are at least in high definition.  Problem is, after watching the movie, it is difficult to imagine what of value could be lurking in here.

The commentary is actually not that bad, and at least has the Director and the two main stars in it.  It certainly does run out of steam early, but Hugh Grant attempts to to be wry and witty throughout, something he’s pretty good at.

The other features include deleted scenes (heck, delete half the movie!), outtakes (which are easily funnier than the scripted movie), three blah featurettes (a “making of”, a “more in depth” 8 minute look at the cast, and a short feature on the costumes), and the semi-interesting featurette on working with a trained wild bear.  There is also an “International Special”, which looks like the stock promotional stuff that is sent to entertainment shows.

If you’re hooked up to the Internet, you can also go to Sony’s Blu-ray portal, and use the Sony Movie IQ utility.

Not an overly bad set of extras, but not really impressive either. 

Final Thoughts

Although this is not a movie I will ever watch again, the official wife certainly enjoyed it, and gave it a hearty “not bad”.  In all fairness, this movie does deserve its “Fans only” rating; if you’re a fan of rom-coms, you’ll likely think this is “not bad”.   However, if you’re a fan of well-written and acted movies, and generally hate the rom-com genre, I’d stay far, far away.  

The cover states that this is “The Perfect Date Movie”.  I think it is, but only if you’re trying to get the other person to dump you.