Product: The Next Best Thing (2000)
Rating: 1.0
Madge, don't quit your day job
I've been a Madonna fan for YEARS and I have to say that this movie was up there with "Shanghai Surprise." However, I wouldn't put all the blame on Madonna. The script was weak and Rupert was just too over the top in his performance.Madonna's husband Guy recently said that she needed a director that would "direct her." I think that's a big factor in why her performance was bad in this film; she has too much creative control and forgets to "act." Madonna is VERY aware of the camera in this film and it's obvious. For instance, she never, ever looks bad. Even when she's "sobbing her heart out" she looks good, which is stupid. I think she should have gotten a red face, smeared her makeup and tried to sound as if she was heartbroken. Not looking all glistening and beautiful with slightly wet eyes.However, it was obvious she's been taking lessons of some sort, because she actually has expressions when she delivers her lines, but, man she needs to forget the camera entirely. Take a good look at "Desperately Seeking Susan" and you'll see what I mean. The rumor was the director edited a lot of Madonna's parts out because she just wasn't that good. I can believe it, unfortunately, because she just wasn't acting.The storyline was good and definitely unusual. A woman and a gay man having a baby and then she decides to get married which causes all kinds of problems. But, the script itself was just over the top and bad. Rupert screaming at Madonna, Madonna screaming back and Benjamin just getting caught in the middle as well as this cute little boy totally lost in the filming. You have absolutely no idea who to root for and the end is so "storybook sweet" that you just plain don't care.I'd skip this one if I were you. If you're a Maddie fan, go ahead and give it a try, but I guarantee you won't watch it as much as you would "Desperately Seeking Susan."