Haben Sie das von den Morgans gehört?

Did You Hear About The Morgans stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, two actors I take joy in watching so I was looking forward to this movie, while fearing the worst after not exactly hearing good things.

Of course the premise is preposterous- an estranged couple witnesses a murder after an attempt at a reconciliatory dinner in New York City, and is shipped off to a remote part of Wyoming as part of a witness protection program.

Hugh Grant is predictably funny in this film, with his usual self-deprecating British humor, and desperate, wretched faces. He has a lot of funny one-liners, one of which is that he could hear "his own cells dividing" after their first night in Ray, Wyoming. He is desperately trying to win back the affection of Meryl, his wife who he cheated on, and to get himself pardoned for his mistake. She is less able to forgive and forget but evidently, being in this new setting will be a huge help for both of them, a way of bonding in the harsh countryside.

There were funny dialogues and even true ones, shedding light on the problems of couples- cheating, fighting, infertility etc. It was also a window- though very much exaggerated- into the soul of two hard working New Yorkers, something I could relate to. Clichés abound, however, and are too many to name but here are a few- Meryl is a neurotic, overstressed and controlling New Yorker, a vegetarian and member of PETA (I have nothing against that, I am as well!). People who do not live in big cities are gun toting, bargain shopping, meat eating Republicans. Assistants are blackberry crazed peons, and so on.

I very much liked the scene where they tell each other their wedding vows again, particularly Hugh Grant's to Meryl, an original, sweet, self-written testament of his love and promise of devotion to her. There was lots of wit written into the dialogues of this film which made it pleasant to watch, at times.

Fabio liked this more than Invictus but I have to say the great amounts of rodeo scenes, cow milking and bear attacks were too much for me. The end bordered on the ridiculous but the very last scene of the movie was touching and slightly made of for it, at least leaving me with a nice final impression.

If this movie is taken as a simple, light, romantic comedy it can be enjoyed, but do not expect too much from the Morgans.

My rating: 6 Fabio's: 7.5 Total score: 13.5 http://paulinasmovies.blogspot.com

I am very disappointed so many people have trashed this movie. There were so many funny jokes made by Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker; and Hugh Grant's accent and phrases are hysterical. For example, in the beginning the Federal Marshall tells Sarah Jessica Parker she has to make a choice between dying and leaving New York and there is a long pause as they all stare at her and she says, "Hold on I'm thinking." I think the combination of them together was very funny. Also, if you have ever lived in a big city or a very rural area - you can identify with this! I love their interactions with Sam Elliot and Mary Steenburgen. In another scene, Hugh Grant is served a plate of eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries covered in country gravy by Mary Steenburger and she asks him if he needs anything else, and he replies, "Just an angiogram." They are complete opposites. Plus I am sure there are many women out there who can sympathize with Sarah Jessica Parker's character. I recommend giving this movie a chance!!

I've read so many critics trashing down this movie that I felt the need to come on its defense. I've seen it just a hour ago and for me it gave me what I was hoping to receive: after a tiring working day, traveling around in the rain, and not having time to lunch, I've stopped for dinner and between the Morgans and Mandela (Invictus) I went and bought a ticket for that romantic comedy. I don't understand how people can be so demanding about the genre. Everybody knows how a romantic comedy ends. It's not the story that matters and although I find Grant and Parker an unlikely match, they made me laugh and that was what I needed. "It's so quiet here I can hear my cells dividing". For that and a little bit more it was a pleasant experience, not so happy as Disneyland, though.

I really don't understand why this movie has such a low rating. The people who's been voting must have had sky high expectations? It isn't that bad, really it isn't. I considered if I should see it or not, after seeing the rating 3.6 here at IMDb.com. Of course I was discouraged by it, but I needed a movie in the background this morning while I did some other things, and thought this was perfect, since it didn't need my full attention. But I ended up ignoring my chores, giving the movie my attention anyway. Because it wasn't bad. It was what I expected (even better, considering the rating). A predictable romantic comedy. The chemistry between Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker wasn't great, but it wasn't lousy either. And Hugh Grant is Hugh Grant, and he used his dry, British humor (which I personally love) as in many other movies. Sarah Jessica Parker did okay in acting too. The movie didn't make me roll on the floor laughing, but it did make me smile a couple of times. And sometimes all you need is a feel-good-movie without any deep conflicts, and with an end you can foresee.

So I really, really, really don't understand why people have been trashing this movie in particular. Give it a chance, at least.

If you're expecting an original groundbreaking comedy, you're probably going to be disappointed by this film. But if you're looking for a bit of sweet entertainment, it will fit the bill.

The acting was pretty decent, and there were quite a few chuckles throughout the movie. If you're looking for much more than that, you'll probably want to pick another movie. The biggest disadvantage was that the plot was absolutely predictable.

However, I was impressed with the way it showed a couple trying to work through a very serious problem in their relationship. The romance part was fairly believable.

It's not a movie that I'm dying to see again or rushing to go out and buy, but it was an enjoyable way to spend some time. I went to see it with family, and we all more or less enjoyed it.