Das Schwiegermonster

Charlotte Honeywell (Jennifer Lopez) has had problems finding the perfect man until she starts dating Kevin (Michael Vartan). Thing are going well until she meets his overbearing mother (Jane Fonda), a recently fired news anchorwoman who takes her aggression out on her son's new girlfriend with help from her assistant Ruby (Wanda Sykes). But Charlotte is ready to fight back.

The premise is rather old and it has been done to death recently. Shrek 2, Meet the Fockers, Guess Who and now this film. I still enjoy this type of comedy but this is the worse one of the previous four. However, Monster-in-Law is still an enjoyable movie. It doesn't offer anything memorable but it's pretty entertaining while it lasts. I'll admit the movie is highly unrealistic from the cruel stuff Fonda and Lopez do to each other to the nice home Lopez owns despite the fact that it looks way too expensive for her to own. Some of the cruel things they do to each other is pretty funny while other times it's just a bit too much. Luckily, there really isn't too much of this material since the movie is only 100 minutes long. So the film hardly gets boring and it ends before it wears out its welcome.

The acting is alright, with a few performances really saving the movie. Jane Fonda gives a really funny performance as Charlotte. She does go over the top but her performance is still a lot of fun to watch on screen. Jennifer Lopez gives a bland performance, nothing special. Her chemistry with Fonda is weak and their scenes aren't as good as they could have been. Wanda Sykes offers a funny performance as Ruby. Her scenes with Jane Fonda are the best things about the movie though she gets a little annoying. Michael Vartan is kind of just there and he doesn't really do anything special.

Robert Luketic directs and he does an okay job. He could have made the film a little more realistic and a little less sitcomish but the movie turned out okay. The audience I saw this with were really into it and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Obviously, critics won't like this film but those looking for a nice comedy should check out this movie. It is a little mean spirited and predictable but this doesn't take away too much from the movie. In the end, Monster-in-Law is a good time passer, nothing more or less. Rating 7/10

After a fifteen-year retirement, Jane Fonda came back to Hollywood and starred in Monster-in-Law, a comedy about an overbearing mother who tries to interfere with her son's impending marriage because she feels his fiancé isn't good enough for him. Or, if you look at it another way, a loving mother feels her handsome doctor son could do better than a flaky, part-time dog walker, and she tries to help him come to his senses before they're married.

Michael Vartan plays Jane's son, and Jennifer Lopez is the impending daughter-in-law. All three are perfectly cast in their roles: Michael is weak, easily swayed, but sincere; Jenny is sweet but strong; and Jane is impeccable, uptight, and a force to be reckoned with. While it might be a bit of a shock for audiences who last saw Jane as a romantic lead in Stanley & Iris in 1990, she doesn't take the role as the mother-in-law to say, "I'm an old lady now." She's beautiful, vibrant, and able to compete toe-to-toe with the icon JLo. Jane even films a scene in her negligee; it's clear to her audience that she's nowhere near old age.

As to the movie itself, it's very entertaining and funny. Wanda Sykes costars as Jane's assistant and friend, and while everything out her mouth is supposed to a sarcastic aside to make the audience laugh, nothing she says is very funny. Jane and Jenny are the funny ones, and it's so easy to root for both of them, you'll find yourself changing sides every time you watch it! Keep a lookout for Elaine Stritch, Adam Scott, Monet Mazur and Will Arnett in smaller but memorable parts. This is a great movie to watch with your girlfriends or your mom—or if you have a great relationship with her, your mother-in-law. Pop the corn and champagne and get ready to giggle the night away.

I really an baffled as to why this film has ranked so low. Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez excel in their roles. Their ability to comically be at each others throats is a joy to watch.

Despite all the garbage reviews slating JLo for her performance, the movie is actually fun! Since when was JLo tryna be the next Meryl people? All the sit at home critics need to pipe down and take this movie for what it is: light, silly fun that ain't trying to win no Oscars. Especially enjoyed Wanda Sykes and her chemistry with Jane was perfect.

Jane and jen! Charlotte has found the perfect boyfriend, and starts planning the marriage. But the fiance comes with a controlling, overbearing, angry, stubborrn mother. Can they ever iron things out? Love the banter between the mom and her assistant... that's the best part. Some really fun co-stars... elaine stritch. Wanda sykes, who gets all the good one liners. The amazing jane fonda had already won two oscars, and this was probably a pretty lightweight role for her. Some funny bits, but very predictable. As soon as charlotte tells the mother in law what her allergies are.... we know what's coming next! The son refuses to believe his mother can be mean, and charlotte won't set her own boundaries. Directed by robert luketic. Story by anya kochoff, who also wrote the screenplay for mother's day...she has a lot to say about mothers.