Ricci's leadenness simply a fatal flaw (contains minor spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (16 February 2004)

Perhaps I am in the distinct minority when I say that this movie fell flat on its face, due to Ricci's flat-footed "interpretation" of her role (if you can call her complete lack of nuance an interpretation at all). Ricci seems incapable of grasping the concept of the lipstick lesbian, much less the purely vulnerable, unreasoning drive for protection, acceptance, and safe haven. There is one desperate scene of "untamed passion" in which Theron drastically overacts, apparently in a desperate attempt to get some sort of reaction from Ricci. Instead Ricci just giggles uncomfortably and peeps "I thought you weren't into women".
Who could believe any straight woman would be attracted to the leaden Ricci, much less attempt major life changes to assume a role as her protector? Although Theron's performance is a valiant effort given the extreme limitations she has to deal with, it ultimately fails. The terribly misguided casting of Ricci is the fatal flaw that makes what would otherwise be qualified as a difficult (but illuminating) film, into an unwatchable one.