Novel if you're 17

Rating: 5/10 (21 April 2005)

As other reviewers have said (presumably they are veteran movie watchers) this movie is predictable but tolerable. In short "rental" :) Will Smith skates by on his natural charm but just because an actor can do the role without acting doesn't make it particularly exciting for the audience. I was reminded of Serendipity (okay, you can pick probably a dozen or more romantic comedies from the last few years) not only because of the formulaic production but every time I saw Kevin James I wished it Jeremy Piven had been cast. In ten years this movie will only make the most detailed filmography of Smith's career and in 2 years you can buy the DVD at a garage sale for $2. I thought the movie was most hurt by how long it took to get to the conflict between Mendez's and Smith's characters. The trailers give you the allusion the conflict is the central theme of the movie but really it's just a plot device to spur the second act with the barest premise for drama. The movie is mainly letting Will be Will and for Kevin James to be the Everyman who is clumsy around women but is the best man for the Hot Chick if she could just see the real him. One scene which almost makes the movie worth seeing is Smith's and Mendez's take on the bar pick up. These actors finally get a chance to show their acting chops with witty dialog. Reminded me of the great repartee featured in the classic romantic comedies of the 30's and 40's.