What do people have against this film?

Author: Nyagtha from Norwich, England
5 December 2001

I have to say I am surprised at the response of people on this website to this film. So much so I felt I should say something about it.

Ok, this film certainly isn't Ben-Hur or The Searchers, its not a profound and streaming epic, but for what it is I can think of none better.It is a very funny and almost bizarre film. It is original, the cast act their hearts out and it is very rewarding to watch, the direction is unique, almost perky, there are no plot twists you can guess well in advance - there are no real plot twists. There are developments but they are not meant to catch you off guard. The behaviour of the main males is entirely beleivable and Liv Tyler's blatant sexuality is purposeful - if she didn't come across as a woman who a man would do anything for the plot would be null and void. As it is - even the most vocal Liv Tyler haters will be won over by her performance.

Each of the male unfortunates are so hilarious in their sheer devotion to Tyler, Goodman as the cop whose wife died years before and who sees in Tyler something he hasn't felt in years. Reiser as a hot shot lawyer who wants to have felt something before he dies is completely hilarious in his Tyler fetish. And Matt Dillon as the slightly dim initial boyfriend manages to acheive gormlessness perfectly. Whether these are all instances of excellent casting or not, who cares. I laughed throughout this film. Admittedly not every line has you bent over in stitches and some of th emore obvious jokes seem designed for fans of the Farrelly Brothers type, but there is an overall atmosphere of farce to the film that you can't help but feel glad you aren't involved.

To summarise what I am rambling on about - basically this film is not going to go down in history as one of the all time greats - but it does have cult potential. It is highly original, brilliantly acted and it is completely aware of what it is mocking - beautiful women getting what they want and the sad fact that men couldn't care what they are forced to do as long as there is a stunning female waiting for them at the end.Personally I think anyone who feels strongly against this film can speak to me abou tit because I would be interested to find out why. Very very good. And I hope it does become a cult hit because it certainly deserves something after the way it has been slated.