Mother Knows Best?
Any guy who sees a mother this obsessive about marrying off her
daughter is sure to be scared away.
Diane
Keaton takes a turn as a neurotic mother.
By Dan Hudak
There’s a fine line
between innocent, play-the-field dating and being a two-timing slut.
Sadly, Because I Said So isn’t bold enough to explore where
that line begins and ends, instead opting for cheesy,
follow-your-heart contrivances rather than anything original. But
let’s face it: It’s asking a lot for a romantic comedy to bring
something new to its story, and just because the movie fails
completely in that regard doesn’t make it utterly worthless — just
trite, redundant and bland.
The (arguable) slut
in question is Milly (Mandy Moore), a sweet young caterer whose
overbearing mother, Daphne (Diane Keaton), is consumed with finding
her a husband. It doesn’t help that Milly’s two older sisters (Gilmore
Girl Lauren Graham and Piper Perabo) are already living happily
ever after, and that Daphne is alone, about to turn 60 and probably
facing a post-menopausal life crisis.
Wanting to help,
and genuinely believing it’s a good idea, Daphne posts a message on
an online dating Web site that will allow her to screen potential
suitors for her fair Milly. After the requisite montage of losers,
she happens upon Jason (Tom Everett Scott), an architect who seems
absolutely perfect. She also comes across a musician named Johnny
(Gabriel Macht), who’s intrigued by what she’s doing and wants to
meet her daughter anyway. Soon, Milly is dating both guys and can’t
decide which wonderful one she really wants.
Note to women: Any
guy who sees a mother this obsessive about marrying off her daughter
is sure to be scared away. Moms, really, you’re not helping, no
matter how good your intentions are.
Formulaic romantic
comedies can always be redeemed by humor, but there’s not much here
that’s funny. When nervous, Milly snorts while laughing. Ha. Daphne
takes a cake to the face thanks to a rambunctious kid. Ha ha. Daphne
kicks her in-car navigation system while driving on the highway.
Triple ha ha. It’s a shame, too, because Keaton makes the most of
what’s given to her, and Moore is growing into a passionate,
talented actress with real screen presence. Graham and Perabo are
effective in what amounts to sidekick roles with no substance; the
same could be said for male leads Macht and Scott.
Director Michael
Lehmann may be most famous for helming the ’80s cult hit Heathers,
but most of his work of late has been in television, and it shows in
the film’s episodic structure. As Milly bounces from one guy to the
next and chats with her sisters and overbearing mother, it feels as
though the script is dutifully moving us along without taking us
anywhere. In the end, nothing’s resolved that Candace Cameron didn’t
survive numerous times on Full House.
Yes, I’m a guy and
certainly can’t relate to the impact this movie can have on a mother
and daughter who see it together. Given that females of any age are
the target audience, if you do see the film, let’s hope your
relationship with your mother and/or daughter is just as loving as
the one portrayed here, but not nearly as dysfunctional.
Comments? E-mail
dhudak22@yahoo.com.
Because I Said So
**
Directed by Michael
Lehmann. Written by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson. Starring
Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Lauren Graham, Piper Perabo, Tom Everett
Scott, Gabriel Macht). Rated PG-13.
Also opening in
Miami-Dade County this Friday: The Messengers, Rogue.
-
A genuine
must-see: * * * *
-
Entertaining: *
* *
-
Mediocre but
not worthless: * * *
-
A wretched
waste of time: *
