Made-Up

Although I am not a 40 something or even female, I loved this movie. It presents a fresh and honest take on women's issues, and at the same time provides some scrumptious slices of comedy....Shalhoub is unbelievable in this, maybe even better than in "Big Night"; he is the master of subtle humour imo. I liked what they did with the mockumentary angle; slightly frustrating (disorienting) for the first 10 minutes I'd say, but well worth hanging in there. The script is inventive and not predictable. There were one or two choices written for some of the supporting > characters that threw me a bit, but it didn't take away from the comedy, the sense of fun and artistry, or the moral statement that was being made.

This low-budget movie just had some kind of magic, integrity, brazenness, and uniqueness that really entertained me on multiple levels. Go into it expecting something a little different from the usual Hollywood/TV formula and you won't be disappointed.

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.

With the same sort of unabashed honesty that helped make "Something's Gotta Give" such a hit with the 40+ set is Emmy-winning "Monk" star Tony Shalhoub's directorial debut. This "middle age comedy" features his wife, the still-lovely Brooke Adams ("Days of Heaven"), as an actress in her 50's who laments both the fading of her looks and the social nether-strata she has been banished to by a youth-worshipping public. With a warm and deft emotional sense, writer Lynne Adams, who is Brooke's sister, provides Shalhoub's cast, which also includes Eva Amurri of "The Banger Sisters", Gary Sinise ("The Human Stain") and Shalhoub himself, with plenty of ripe material to explore. Without rising to the preachy "these kids today" levels to which Clint Eastwood often rises in celebrating age and wisdom, Shalhoub's love for not only his wife, but also telling a good story, shine through. Score: 3.5/5

I had a bit of trouble catching on to the movie at first, then became very engrossed in it. The documentary within the movie was well done, and though there were only 10 people in the matinee audience, we all roared with laughter many times. All the actors were wonderful. It is a very understated, humourous look at our society and the worship of youth and beauty. I was taken by Brooke Adam's honesty in portraying a woman who is aging well, and thought the relationship between her character and her young daughter was very well drawn. The scenes with her ex-husband and his new, younger girlfriend were funny and touching. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I enjoyed the movie. I would see it again if there were not so many other movies I want to see.

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.