Cousins

COUSINS (1989) *** Ted Danson, Isabella Rossellini, Sean Young, William Petersen, Lloyd Bridges, Keith Coogan, Norma Aleandro. Entertaining tale of adultery among married relatives and really about true love appearing in the least likely of places. Warm and romantic with some sly observations of marriage and infidelity. Danson is charming and Rossellini radiantly beguiling. Beautiful music score by Angelo Badalamenti. Bridges and Coogan together are a riot. American remake of French flick "Cousine, Cousine".

"Cousins", a pleasing knock-off of Oscar nominated French "Cousin, Cousine", tells of a man who has an affair with another woman while their partners are doing the same; concomitant relationships, one carnal and the other romantic. Full of quirky Euro-Am ethnic family members, this lively and sweet blast from the past is a light-hearted blend of sentimental, romantic, funny, and poignant moments well worth a first look or revisit.

I have just watched the movie on TV and after checking the rate on IMDb I have to do my own review about it. I saw the original French movie some years ago and it was a nice movie with that 70's look that I really love and bring a lot of memories from my childhood. The American remake just follow closely the original story. So followers of the original French movie will be happy about it. But this is not just a copy scene by scene. The cast is just awesome. All the actors play their characters so well that the chemistry among them works perfectly. We really believe those cousins are falling in love.....that look, that smile......sometimes they don't need to talk to get the message. And what about the supporting cast...Bravo for all of them. Lloyd Bridges, Norma Aleandro, and of course their grandson and the old lady always complaining about it. Just terrific! The script also improve with a wonderful sense of humor that is never out of place or vulgar. So, if you are looking for a perfect movie to spend a rainy day lying on the sofa, give it a try. It will be in your heart for ages.

Well made American rendition of the 1975 French farce, "Cousin-cousine," with Danson and the enchanting Rosselini playing cousins by marriage who meet at a wedding, develop a relationship and then fall in love. Wonderful performances from Lloyd Bridges and Norma Alejandro help move this glorious film along that glows with humor, warmth and the sheer joy of life.

Having no expectations, this movie completely got to me back in 1989. But then, seeing it again around 2000 and now in 2010, it still moves me. The atmosphere, the chemistry between the main characters, the sad eyes of Ted Danson (when he's sad, not all the time of course), the shy but still uninhibited smile Isabella Rosselini can't hold back when in love, the seriousness blended with great humor (like when Marias husband after an upsetting and sad scene with Maria, calls Larry leaving a message to stay away from his wife), the music, the side stories and supporting cast - it's just a witty and intelligent (I rarely find both in American movies) story about true love. A feel good movie that make me think of it for days after I've seen it.