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Rating: 6/10 (15 July 2005)

My date picked this movie. When we left the theater I said to her, "from now on I'll pick the movies." She said, "that's probably a good idea."
Mr. & Mrs. Smith was supposed to be a campy, action packed, big-star studded War of The Roses on steroids sort of film. I guess it was a lot of those things. It just didn't work. It was campy, but in a disingenuous sort of way because Jolie and Pitt come across as if they are really just playing themselves, giving us a wink and nod that this is a movie made primarily so we can get a good look at them. It was action packed, but in an absurd sort of way. It had big stars, but the bigger the star does not mean the better the actor. And it was sort of like the War of The Roses on steroids, but Brad and Angelina are not Michael and Kathleen. This script was amateur compared with Roses, and the plot was just too flimsy.
Usually a weak script and plot are enough for me to dislike about a movie, but my least favorite thing about M&M Smith is that entirety is so strongly anchored to the looks of Pitt and Jolie. OKAY, WE GET IT, THEY ARE GOOD LOOKING, but this is not porn, and movies can't get by on looks alone.
Off the screen Pitt does seem like a nice guy who is humble and means well, and that's worthy of respect. And he is handsome, pretty...insert whatever good looking adjective you like. But he is a mediocre actor. I have yet to see him take on a role that called for substantial acting talent. He is safe relying on looks, but I'd like to see how he fares taking on a little risk. Maybe he has the potential, but the way I see it he has not developed that potential, nor a range, and most definitely not in this movie.
The same is true of Jolie, except she adds the unpleasant dimension of shamelessly reminding you in every scene that she is a very pretty, sexy...insert whatever good looking adjective you like. She doesn't do this by getting into the role as an actor, trusting that her looks will shine brighter if she allows a little humility to guide them. Instead she delivers these arrogant "everybody's looking at me" smirks. That's fine for the hot looking woman sitting in the bar who likes that kind of superficial attention--can't even tell you how many times it's gotten my attention, but that's not what I'm looking for when I see a movie. But I guess a lot of people are. You will see Brad Pitt in a badly fitting pair of boxers, and Angelina exercise her ego, and this was an annoyance to me, and my date.
In my opinion you are better off staring at a magazine cover for 90 minutes. It would be a cheaper way to get your fix of two attractive people, and you would not be nearly as disappointed when you put it down.
One last note: this movie was fairly violent, lots of language, and sexual innuendo. It's not for young kids