Made-Up

I was sure glad I didn't pay to see this movie, because it was beyond doubt one of the slowest, most unclever attempts at an indie romantic comedy I've seen in a long while. The conceit at making a "mockumentary of the making of a mockumentary" failed to disguise the over-rehearsed, overly-melodramatic scenes between mom and daughter (who, big surprise, don't understand each other), ex-wife and Other Woman (oho, they have issues!) and former actress and schlub (naturally, they'll take to each other with time). The whole point of a mockumentary is to show things in a surprising way, and there were no surprises here, down to the final message that we already learned in "Freaky Friday" and "Pieces of April" (ie, "the kids are alright and we moms ain't bad either"). Aside from Shaloub, the actors fail to convince that they are something beyond ticketholders on the vanity-project train... Brooke Adams is particularly unlikeable as both a character and an actress in this film. What really got me, though, was the transposition of Hollywood youth-worship on Middle America; outside of Tinseltown, some women really do turn 50 looking 50, and they can accept it with the maturity their age has granted them. This movie lets us down because, like "Grease," it perpetuates the notion that all of a woman's relationship problems can be solved if she just fixes her makeup and puts on a push-up bra. The only redeeming quality in this film was Michael Wolfe's jazz piano, which unfortunately probably totals 90 seconds of the movie.

Greetings again from the darkness. OK, I realize I am not the target market - being a middle aged white guy and all. But please tell me that women aren't so dense as to be confused at why they are not in a relationship when they make no attempt to be charming or likeable! Have been a fan of Brooke Adams since "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". In this movie, however, I am not sure who is less appealing, her or the aunt (played well by Lynne Adams). The shining star of the film is the very striking Eva Amurri playing Brooke's daughter. With wise choices, she can go places in the film world. The most intriguing role in the movie is played by the director, Tony Shaloub. Never can decide which he wants more, the thrill of acting or a relationship with a nice woman. Pretty interesting topic, not always handled the best. Shaloub shows a nice feel for camera angles and lighting. A little more warmth and charm and this could have been a real sleeper of a film.

Women over 40 treat "Made Up" like a religious event. They come away raving about how someone finally made a movie for and about them. Not being in that demographic, I don't have the same feelings, but I can see what they mean. Doesn't this group deserve a movie or two of their own?

Lynne and Brook Adams give solid performances as sisters whose relationship is strained when one makes a documentary of the other's life. Director Tony Shaloub makes a small role into one of the brightest parts of an otherwise dark comedy. The real standouts in the cast are Eva Amurri and Light Eternity. Both provide memorable performances.

Mockumentaries are beginning to feel played out, but Made Up finds some new ground by making the hapless filmmakers central characters. Hidden cameras--and the idea of hiding cameras--provide some of the movie's best laughs.

There are certainly missteps in this film. It feels a bit long at 90 minutes. The central character lacks a clear goal--something that's even mentioned within the film. And the movie feels more like it stops than ends. But it is more enjoyable than most studio product, and it provides a few great moments plus real standout performances by Amurri and Eternity. And, if you're a woman over 40, expect to find Enlightenment.

I fail to see why this movie seems to be regarded as fresh and groundbreaking. The central concept is that the aging process and its impact on women's physical appearance, as well as society's expectations of how women should look as they age, can affect a woman's self-image, and even her self-worth.

Gee, there's a big revelation. Except, not. It seems to me that this idea has been done to death by everyone from filmmakers to sitcom writers to pop psychologists to Oprah.

For a film that alleges to be only 96 minutes long, it is unspeakably slow-paced and boring. I can't think of a movie that made me check my watch more frequently. The main characters, played by Brooke Adams & Lynne Adams, are both prone to long-winded, whiny speeches that seem self-indulgent and pointless, and make the characters nearly thoroughly unlikeable. Like a big, drawn-out, very-special-episode of "Thirtysomething." And oh, yeah, boring.

Also, I cannot imagine why this film is classified as a comedy. I didn't laugh once during the whole movie, and anyone who did needs to get out more. Sometimes, I could spot the strained dialogue or physical hijinks that were probably supposed to be funny, but just made me cringe. The rest of the time, I couldn't even guess where the "comedy" was supposed to be.

The only thing that makes this film unique (besides taking the audience to new heights of boredom--did I mention that it's boring?) is the "mockumentary" conceit, which is annoying at best and confusing at worst. Really, the only good thing I can say about it is that Eva Amurri, who plays Brooke Adams' daughter, is delightful.

As a 34-year-old woman, I am not that far removed from the concerns about aging and appearance that are debated ad nauseam by the main characters in this film. Unfortunately, everything they have to tell us about this subject, women already know.

I FINALLY got to see this movie after waiting 3 years. Brooke Adams is my favorite actress, and it was great fun seeing her in this movie. With all the excitement I had built up around finally getting the DVD, I was a little worried that I wouldn't like the movie. How wrong I was. It may be geared more for women, but it was definitely entertaining and very well-acted and written. Brooke, her sister Lynne, and Brooke's husband Tony Shalhoub were all vital parts of this movie both on and off screen. Eva Amurri, as Brooke's daughter, was also very funny and dynamic in her performance. A great movie that I hope will have much success on DVD.

-Jacob