No people in Ohio like the Smiths

Rating: 7/10 (16 July 2005)

It takes awhile for the plot to get into high gear. To put it into retrospect, this is a film for gun nuts. Smith's secluded arsenal has more firepower than the Cleveland Swat Team. Automatic assault rifles, RPG, 9mm handguns, they got it all. During the cat and mouse foray in their grandiose house, some rounds fired by John hit the kitchen gas range and start it on fire. There's a brief silence then John says "Are you okay, Sweetheart"? I was so flabbergasted at that point I almost choked on my popcorn. Upon hearing the noise caused by the Smith's quarrel-turned-rumpus, a few neighbors came to the door asking "Is everything okay? We heard noises coming from your house". But near the end of the film when the house explodes into smithereens (pun), do the neighbors assemble in the street to watch? Nope. Maybe they all went to the country club for cocktails. After the smoke cleared, there was still one ponder able enigma to be resolved...where the hell was Chuck Norris? The scene where John fakes intoxication and starts kibitzing and ultimately gets a seat in a high-stakes, covert poker game was pretty clever I thought. Jane now, who has much clout and eminence at her detective agency, acts so nonchalant in the face of the formidable task she has undertaken- in contrast to the female adversaries in James Bond 007 films, who show more aggressiveness. In summary, if you like lots of surprises, Mr. & Mrs. Smith will make your cup runneth over. If you delight in the eloquent mannerisms of good thespians, go see another film.