Monster-in-Law (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Series)

"[T]he juxtaposition of Fonda with Lopez, now a star of comparable stature is shrewd..." Sight and Sound - Samuel Wigley (08/01/2005); I'll not agree with Wigley's critique because the balance between one hot long-standing star and one hot relatively new one could is not of comparable stature: J. Fo. steal the show!

I'm a big time Jane Fonda (J.Fo.) fan, the young lady who had to find her own way out from beneath her father's (Henry Fonda) gigantic shadow at a time when Hollywood was the valley of the dolls and drenched in drugs and liquor. "It's a hoot to watch Fonda cut loose and mix it up with J.Lo....Knockabout comic is just the latest incarnation in Fonda's life so far. Let her rip." Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (05/19/2005), seems to agree with me.

Who would have guessed that Jane Fonda would play her own age as mother-in-law so comically, when her acting history is not especially known for sharp witted comedy? J.Fo. you're still hot to trot! "Monster-in-Law" is Jane Fonda's ever so successful return to the big screen after a 14-year, well deserved, vacation.

The story line begins when waitress Charlie (J.Lo.) is searching for a nice guy to marry. She wants him to share her own wide variety of interests. Keith (Michael Vartan) seems to be her ideal match. Up to this point the story line is dull, unless you consider J.Lo. cute enough to make the story line something that doesn't matter; all too typical boy-meets-girl, marry, and breed like different-gender rabbits in a locked cage. Wanting to marry Charlie, Keith proposes. All too predictably dull.

However, his legendary television journalist mother, Viola (Jane Fonda, J.Fo.), who has an on-air breakdown after being replaced by a much younger woman, enters Keith's mind as a nightmare. Since her career is apparently over, for Viola, her energy is spent making the sun rise and set in Keith. All of her eggs in one son of a basket case.

Of course, with such high falutin standards of excellence combined with histrionic outbursts, Viola becomes determined to prove to Keith that Charlie is not of his caliber. Enter bluntly truthful Ruby (Wanda Sykes), Viola's assistant. And what we've got is a hilarious cauldron brewing to drive Charlie nuts.

Viola and Ruby use every antic any dubious mother-in-law has schemed, but she sorely underestimates Charlie's fight to let go of Keith and their future together.

This movie shows in glaring light the differences between the rich and the poor and how the priorities of the rich can sometimes be ridiculous. One of the things that is obvious in the movie is that Viola, the mother in law character has absolutely nothing to do except shop on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy her four acre mansion because she made millions of dollars as a celebrity journalist and she is enjoying forced early retirement. On the other hand her daughter-in-law has about four jobs and has to put up with Viola's issues on how a poor low class girl is not good enough for her brilliant son. I think the rich and poor theme is very interesting and sometimes funny. The ending is lousy and unrealistic but it is a comedy after all it has to have a happy ending. Jane Fonda is fantastic. Unfortunately, Jennifer Lopez does her worst acting to date, it's like she is doing a run through of the script for the first time. I don't know what she is doing but she is not acting. Michael Vartan also does not act with any conviction. He obviously supports his fiancee but he never comes to her defense in a serious way. All in all I think it is a movie worth renting but not buying unless your mother in law hates you, in that case it is a good study guide.

All of J-Lo's movies have similar themes, interchangeable plots and bad acting, but in her lastest flick to go to DVD, she gets lucky. Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes save the day! In a welcome return to acting, Ms. Fonda delivers a brilliant performance as Viola, the recently replaced, aging TV legend. Wanda Sykes is hysterical as Viola's assistant and the perfect foil for Ms. Fonda's character. Her comedic timing is dead-on and a thorough joy to watch.

Michael Vartan's acting was listless, but then his character was flat and boring. The directing was about par for this genre of film and the script was fast paced and fun, if predictable. My main problem was with the lead actress. Perhaps one day, someone will stop and recognize that Ms. Lopez couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Her inclusion in this movie made what could have been
an excellent romantic comedy into a real dud. She owes both Ms. Fonda and Ms. Sykes a bottle of Crystal for saving Monster-In-Law.

Kat One reviews

This movie is one that you can watch over and over and over again. Jane Fonda plays a mother in law that you love to hate and is accompanied by her assistant Wanda Sykes, who is always hilarious. Jennifer Lopez is her sweet self with a very comedic side to her that we dont always see. Overall an excellent movie!!

While camping last weekend, I watched this movie on a DVD player in my tent. The movie is romantic and funny, not an Oscar winner ... but I don't think any of us expect it to be :-)

The premise of the movie pits a new fiance (J. Lo) against her mother-in-law-to-be (Jane Fonda). It begins with subtle manipulation by the mother but slowly and surely the tables are turned. The movie handles it all in a very light-hearted and funny way. I enjoy watching an underdog who is able to overcome and persevere!

The film is perfect your young ages as well, assuming you find the relationship subject matter suitable -- no swearing or nudity in this one (sorry guys).