Plain Awful

Rating: 2/10 (29 August 2002)

If you think that among a bunch of dysfunctional families that the only normal happy one is the gay couple, is a clever comment on our society, then this movie is for you. If, however, you think that the message is too clever and smug, then you are in for a movie full of these stupid messages. From the ridiculous image of the plastic bag blowing around that is supposed to mean something to the cheap ending, this movie has something to annoy everyone. In the future, people will be asking what was the big deal about Kevin Spacey? He doesn't exactly have a screen presence. I've been asking the same thing about Annette Bening ever since her debut. And I'm bit saddened by Chris Cooper's part in this movie, hopefully it will be an aberration. As for the rest of the cast -- forgettable. As for the story itself, the message that living in the suburbs turns us all into soulless drones concerned only with material wealth and praise isn't a particularly new one and is a rather tired one. If you have only been watching movies from the last five years, then this one may seem powerful. To anyone else, the movie should seem like a first year film school student project.