Not every film has to be perfect to be enjoyed!

Rating: 8/10 (9 October 2005)

Sure: It wasn't the best film ever made. Sure: It had another bog-standard Hollywood ending. Sure: The script was occasionally clunky, implausible, and long-winded towards the end. So what! It was actually funny. Not all the time, not every scene, but systematically, frequently, funny. I don't ask for more than that, no one told me to go expecting Kubrick's lost masterpiece. I just wanted to laugh, and I did. Thank you.
In fact, we did get more than that. Yes, all the major male actors (you know who you are) made me laugh. Even Mr Walken. But to the point, this is the first time I have seen Rachel McAdams act. As a simple complicated male, her performance seems almost perfect. She is not the ugliest girl on the block, but what mattered was that when she looked into the camera, I believed every word she said. Whatever she has, she should try and share it with Andie MacDowell and Minnie Driver. A pretty face doesn't mean a believable face. Rachel McAdams seems like the real thing. I hope so. I would probably just keep raving here but let's move on...
To the amusement of (some of) my American friends whose reviews I have just read, let me say that there seemed to be no R rating on this film here in France. Shocking? I don't think so, come on! Interestingly, the youngest person in the cinema was about 18 years old. Let's just say two 12 year old kids came to watch the film. They would have (fleetingly, almost subliminally) seen some breasts, an amusing rope-tying incident and a good dose of swear words. Oooooooh bad! After the film, I'm not convinced they would have gone out, broken in to a shop, picked a fight with their mother, or more generally contributed to the rather over-estimated moral degeneration of society. Please! In the same optic, I was amused by the frequent review comment whining about 'bad' homophobic jokes, 'sacreligious' religious comments, and 'unfortunate' stereotyping of a couple of male 'sluts'. Comedy needs a target. It's not too complicated folks, comedy needs a target. And if your type of person, believer, or 'player' is the target, just smile. Or laugh! Let's try and take one little step away from the 'victim' society tonight.
A good, funny film. Funny guys and a great girl. That's all. But that's enough.