This offbeat and unpredictable comedy-thriller throws so many curveballs, one right after another, that I doubt I've had more fun at an American movie this year.
Surprisingly good. A story of a delusioned, not especially intellectual woman going on a search for her favorite doctor who she loves. She ofcourse doesn`t know that he is just an actor. The story is funny, with Betty getting in all kinds of trouble. The villains are sleek, clever and trace her every step right into the final. This is one of those average movies which is taken into above-average level by a wonderful cast. All of the acting : Morgan Freeman, Rene Zellweger, Chris Rock, Aaron Eckhart and Greg Kinnear showed excelled performance , creating believable and likable characters. You would think you quit watching the film after 20minutes (naaaah), but you suddenly notice you watched the whole thing with a smile on your face all the time, and enjoyed it. Everything else in this movie is average.
Une comédie en apparence très gnangnan construite sur une histoire de telenovela consternante et à cet effet, on a certainement pas lésiné sur la guimauve ni sur la musique sirupeuse dont l'air obsédant vrille les nerfs éhontément.
En même temps et en dehors de son emballage neuneu, on se rend compte que le film fait de son handicap un atout non négligeable qu'il développe tout du long, jusqu'à en faire un pur délire scénaristique qu'il use jusqu'à la corde au risque d'aligner les incohérences les unes après les autres, ce qu'il fait et ose à notre grand étonnement.
La satire de cette bécasse personnifiée idéalement par la petite Renée (une blonde, que voulez-vous...) en devient des plus drolatiques même si on s'interroge sur les intentions réelles du réalisateur qui laisse toujours cette désagréable impression d'un premier degré de conte de fées grandeur nature.
En tout cas, le duo Morgan Freeman-Chris Rock fonctionne à merveille et participe à ce délire mi-figue mi-raisin ou plutôt mi-whisky mi-grenadine dont on ne sait plus si c'est du lard ou du cochon. L'excellent Greg Kinnear augmente encore cette ambiguité d'un film moins tarte qu'il n'y paraît (mais tarte quand même) et certainement très original mais un brin trop bancal pour convaincre totalement.
Although I found it an interesting concept, I found it quite hard to engage with any of the characters. Having said that, I did find I had a bit of a soft spot for Betty. It’s pretty well made, although I did feel I was watching a soap half the time. There were far too many coincidental events going on that allowed the plot to progress. The performances were all pretty good with Renée Zellweger easily standing out. Morgan Freeman was, well, Morgan Freeman; he just seems to play every part the same these days. Chris Rock was a bit of a surprise for me, playing the hot headed Wesley with great aplomb and a great degree of swearing. Over all though, I found it a little disappointing despite the decent performances, it never really got going.
SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED (Just)
My score: 5.9/10.
I think this movie tried to appeal to too many different "tastes". A clever plot line which just fell flat. I kept waiting and waiting to see what the climax of the movie would deliver and, like a Domino's delivery boy with a flat tire, just didn't deliver at all. Renee was likeable and true to typecast (at the time), but couldn't save this dud.
I've watched this movie once but that was enough for me. The actors are very wooden in their roles and the plot is lame and uneven. Even Morgan Freeman couldn't salvage this movie from sinking. This movie could
have been hilarious and smart but the plot and acting never develop well.
Production Company
Gramercy Pictures (I),
Pacifica Film,
Propaganda Films,
ab'-strakt pictures,
IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co. Produktions KG