Monster-In-Law

Ahhhh"¦. There's nothing like impending nuptials to ruin a perfectly content, pseudo happy family. Weddings some how manage to suddenly turn women completely insane and simultaneously are able to reduce men to ineffectual nothings. I watched my older sisters go through this gory process and since then I have sworn to never fall into the same trap. And, of course, thanks to "Four More Years!" and my friend in the White House, I'll probably have little difficulty sticking to that one particular resolution.

Monster-In-Law at first seems like the same old same old; Pitting new wife against old mother only with the twist that this time, it's the 80's aerobics queen vs. our own real life wedding drama queen, Jenny from the block. But you will be surprised by just how clever and enjoyable the film actually turns out to be.

Jennifer Lopez plays a struggling, multi-tasking artist (job1) who has always been unlucky in love and according to her friends, has not been plain laid in years! All of that of course changes when one morning, while walking five or six dogs for some extra cash, (job 2) she sees and connects with the perfect man – A shirtless, undeniably hot Michael Vartan. Later, while waitresing a private party (job 3), she finally meets the dashing doctor and their romance begins. Quickly cut to the proposal and the disapproving mother-in-law to be, played brilliantly by Jane Fonda, who is determined to do whatever it takes to put the breaks on their wedding plans.

Normally the rest of the plot fills itself in. Thankfully, the writers decided to take some twists and turns here and there that changed it up enough that it didn't feel like every other film in this genre. Focusing more on the relationship between Fonda and Lopez, the film really highlights the fact that when you marry the man, you also marry the mother.

The performances turned in by all of the cast were truly commendable. They all had a great energy and chemistry together that the audience could definitely feel. Wanda Sykes as Viola's (Jane Fonda) personal assistant never failed to bring a laugh to the crowd each and every time she appeared on screen. And Michael Vartan, while surprisingly absent from a great deal of the film, did a perfect job of playing the clueless groom who just wants to make his wife-to-be as happy as he can.

Another interesting and commendable character choice was that of Charlie's (J. Lo) friend Remy played by Adam Scott. Finally a gay character in a romantic comedy that is NOT immediately pegged as a raging stereotypical queen! It isn't until the end of the movie that the audience is even sure he's gay. (sorry for the minor spoiler, but this kind of thing HAD to be noted) I'm praying that this might set a trend

in Hollywood of having gay characters who are regular people, who just happen to realize that man on man sex is just better.

Overall I'm the last person to endorse a wedding movie, of any kind, but if you have to see one, this is a really good choice.

Movie Grade: B+