Product: The Next Best Thing (2000)
Rating: 1.0
Pathetic
... A San Fransisco newspaper called this film '.....hideous. Anabomination'.I couldn't agree more. The direction is shockinglyamateurish, and the performance of Madonna is disturbing - justbecause we get to see that what little spark we saw in 'Evita' wasjust fluke. She is not an actress. That said, you can sit down to thisfilm with the knowledge that nothing interesting will ever happen, andthat the films grand statement on gay parenting is both sad anddisillusioning.Rupert is bearable as Robert, his natural good looksand ease with the camera make him eye candy, and he does lend his rolesome sense of dignity. Indeed, one of the better and more thoughtprovoking scenes in the film is when Robert is in bed with hiscardiologist boyfriend. Certainly not because of the trite dialogue,however.Also, the child they got to play Madonna's son isunbearable. Obviously, if Madonna and Rupert had a child together, itwould NOT look that gross. And whats with 'American Pie' playing inthe background for most part of the film. Madonna also sings it at afuneral of a gay friend, and this scene is unintentionallycomic. Though at the end of it, the only word to use is 'pathetic'. Sosad to see aging performer make wrong movie role choices. At leastEverett should have known better.And Benjamin Bratt looks like aten dollar male gigolo minus the sex appeal. Now, THATS aninsult. Save your money, and catch something far better, and somethingthat doesn't insult your intelligence as much as this onedoes. Something like 'South Park' or 'Pamela Anderson's 10 minuteboobie-lifts'.