Great cast, disappointingly draggy

Rating: 6/10 (29 October 2007)

This movie could have been so much better. THe problem is the script is DRAGGGY -- it plays like a Harlequin romance on video -- and the direction seems a bit ham-fisted. Astonishing to me that Nancy Myers, whose work I usually adore (BABY BOOM, WHAT WOMEN WANT, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE), directed and wrote. Too much multi-tasking?
For the first time that I've noticed it, Myers seems to be telescoping everything for the viewer. "Do you get it -- she's a hysterical woman down on love -- do you get it?" Give the viewer some credit, and things will move along at a brisker clip.
Perhaps interweaving three story lines was a bit too much -- a Driving-Miss-Daisy-meets-Baby-Boom-Meets-Something's-Gotta-Give. Two of the stories would have been challenging enough. It goes on for 138 minutes? They could have cut 20 and had a nice film.
The musical score is meant to be light and cozy, and it is as gorgeous as a mug of hot cider, but a shorter film would have given it the sparkle it deserved.
I truly like all these actors -- Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, all fairly charming but a bit underserved here. Nice to see Black in a romantic lead -- still quirky, but more attractive than just his usual jokester appeal. This is how I'm guessing he might be in real life -- away from the frat pack, anyway! In a way, Cameron Diaz fared the best of the four as a neurotic Hollywood maven out of her element -- nice to see her get some challenge and something not too over the top, although there was that too.
Winslet, usually inspiring and inspired, could have benefited with a more controlled direction and not so much hysterics -- I was okay with her screech when she realizes she's dumped Bloom, but the delighted fits upon seeing her new holiday digs were a bit annoying. Again, we get it, she's excitable -- one screech would do it.
Check out Dustin Hoffman's cameo at just the right moment. DOn't blink or you'll miss it.
Two things stretched the bounds of credibility to the max -- a gala organized for Wallach in three days, and Diaz running up the snowy lane in what appeared to be heels. And pausing for Chariots of High Heels dramatic effect. Telescoping, again...
Nice to see Law as a daddy and a crier at that -- not the usual for him. His on-screen daughters? Fabulous, angels both, and yes the tent scene is completely winsome.
Overall, if you like romantic comedy, you should see it. It certainly gives the actors involved a fresh opportunity to show a different side of themselves.