The title of this post is the title of a movie I finished watching on DVD last night. The Princess had chosen it. Which in itself is odd, because she truly does not like comedies.
This comedy, however, isn't anything like the gross-out humor flicks that have been coming out lately. This comedy has a heart, it knows where yours is and it will tug on it.
Without giving the story away, just keep in mind that first impressions aren't always correct. It's not a girl meets older man, December - May romance thing. Ick. It's a wonderful, quirky friendship that evolves and blossoms, in spite of the two main characters and their flaws.
Albert Brooks plays Randall, dubbed "R" by Jennifer (known as "J"), played by Leelee Sobieski. Brooks is an excellent comedic actor, choosing to get his humor across subtly, without sight gags and always with a humble dignity. Sobieski's goth, pierced she-creature is wholly believable. You find yourself liking her immediately, even though your eyes tell you to run the other way.
Carol Kane is J's mother. She's perky, flighty and frightened to death of her daughter and what she might really think. Yet she desperately wants to be a part of her daughter's life and choses to ignore the rude way she's often treated.
Christine Lahti directed the film and did a great job. The first few scenes have some hysterical computer-generated effects, based on J's point-of-view of her world. Throughout the movie, you'll find yourself laughing, wincing, crying and saying "aww....".
Go rent it, buy it, borrow it — whatever you have to do. Just see it. All the characters will remind you of someone you know in your life... and they'll also remind you of why you love them so.
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