purplecran

Maybe it's not the BEST movie ever made, but it's quite a fun movie to watch. It's perfectly funny with the combination of Matthew Broderick's lovelorn character (wanting his true love back from the man that "stole" her) and the revenge-minded character of Meg Ryan (who has the majority of the great lines -- the movie is worth watching for her character alone). The dark, jaded edge puts this movie above your normal romantic comedy. Well acted by Matthew, Meg, and the always impressive Tcheky Karyo (one of the greatest actors around). Give this one a go, and more likely than not, it'll be one of those movies you want to watch every time it's on! Being that the DVD is available at a lower price (I think I got it for about $5.99), it's worth adding to your collection...a great one for rainy/snowy days.

As is the trouble with many TV movies, this one was cast with one of the darlings of the small screen regardless of the fact that she doesn't fit in the role. Sweetheart of a romantic comedy or abused wife she can do, but Valerie Bertinelli just doesn't play well here. Neither does Harry Hamlin. This could have been made well as a TV movie using unknowns or lesser-knowns that actually meshed with the book's feel of who the characters are. From the opinions of friends and family, those who didn't read the books thought this TV version was pretty good. Those of us who loved the book wish we would have just re-read it and skipped this movie.

Anyone with a hand in (mis)casting this movie should be fired. The book was great, and the prospect of a movie (even small screen) was exciting. The casting gets a giant HUH?! from me though. Susan Lucci may have been the darling of TV movies at the time, but that didn't make her right for this part. Both she and Lee Horsley should have been left out, and people of the correct age should have starred instead. Not even the usually great Shari Belefonte could save this movie. None of the characters had any charisma -- not sure if it was the fault of a choppy script or actors just going through the motions. Probably both. If you see this on TV again someday (let's hope no one bothers airing it, though), just keep flipping channels! Do yourself a favor and just read the book (or any Sandra Brown book) instead.