Suburban Girl - Talvolta la fine è solo un nuovo inizio

Take your average brainless romantic comedy, that is fluffy but entertaining enough, that gives a few laughs. Formula food for movie goers. Remove the comedy, and then remove any believable romance. What do you have remaining? Not even drama. It is nice to see Sarah Michelle Gellar in something, and she is a fine enough actress. Alec Baldwin, stock rising after 30 Rock, was not the right choice for this 'story', and between them they cannot save a weak script or inject anything of interest. They are not convincing of love, nor even interact in any interesting way. Nor are there any compensatory laughs. The plot is a straight forward slice-of-life of a girl who meets an older man, and shacks up with him. What happens in the end? Nothing to care about.

Brett (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has come from New Jersey to take a bite out of the Big Apple. As an associate editor for a book publishing company, she is hoping to advance her career and stay in New York permanently. However, when she stops at a book store and tries to substitute some of her company's books for ones on display, the manager gives her a tongue lashing. Not long after that, however, she stumbles upon a legend in the publishing business. That would be Archie Knox (Alec Baldwin), a middle aged man who is still very attractive and charming. As Brett is young and beautiful, Archie makes a big play for her, even though she already has a boyfriend and he has a long list of past girlfriends and wives. With a powerful connection growing between the two of them, Brett agrees to begin a relationship with Archie. He even arranges for her to score some points at work. But, then a new boss arrives, Brett's father becomes ill and Archie confesses that he is a recovering alcoholic. Will Brett be able to weather the rough seas of love? This story of an autumn-spring romance starts off with much humor and cleverness and then grows more serious as the film continues. Most viewers will probably realize that the relationship between Archie and Brett won't be able to endure but that a sweet tale of love is still welcome, even when there is no happy ending. Gellar is charming as the young editor and Baldwin is excellent as the complex, world-weary publishing giant. The rest of the cast, including James Naughton, is quite nice, too. Naturally, the scenery in and around NYC is lovely and the costuming is also fetching, as Gellar is a perfect model for most fashions. Production values are high and the script has some notable lines, tenderness, and humor. Are you always on the lookout for any romantic comedy that becomes available? You will like this one so find the nearest video store, city, suburban, or rural, and snap this one up!

This movie completely lacked focus. Was it about her career? Her relationships (both family & romantic)? Her own personal issues? It was just a complete mess- all over the place! There was not enough development in any of these areas for any of them to strike home and come across as important. Things would happen, then change in the drop of a hat, so much so that you'll find yourself thinking "what just happened here?" There was absolutely no true chemistry between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alec Baldwin, and their relationship just came out creepy and awkward on screen.

The whole film was full of completely unrealistic happenings right down to the decor in her hideous apartment.

I suppose if you're looking for something light and slightly sloppy you'll enjoy yourself. Otherwise skip it.

Unlike the Europeans, Hollywood has never been comfortable with May-December romances. One film after another they throw the 50-something Daniel Auteuil into the arms of a 20-something babe without explanation or apology and we sit in the cinema never questioning the logic of it. When it comes to Hollywood, it is either a tragedy or a morality tale. Jack Nicholson can only be redeemed by settling for a woman near his age at the end of Something Has to Give.

Suburban Girl has an intelligent script that manages to sidestep such apologia. It also doesn't try to dilute the issue or make the motives of its main characters nobler than what they are. The December character (Alec Baldwin in excellent self-parodying mode) is a diabetic and recovering alcoholic. He is also a self-confessed womanizer and an absentee father with serious daughter issues. The May of the film (Sarah Michelle Gellar acting as if she is using the film as personal therapy) is a father-worshiper and has no qualms about allowing the older man to use his influence to better her career. It is all too real. It is a pity that Mark Klein directs the film like an afternoon romance for Hallmark channel – without flair or imagination, and that Alec Baldwin's personal life interfered unnecessarily with the screening. The unevenness of the directorial treatment might alienate the mainstream audience that seem to prefer their comedies separate from their dramas. The script skilfully avoids the known clichés without taking too many risks. The sweet-sour ending will also add to the audience confusion.

Supporting roles are cleverly underplayed by a competent ensemble. Maggie Grace, one of the early casualties of the TV hit Lost, is surprisingly effective in a role that seems to have been written for her.

I am generally not a fan of romantic comedies, they tend to be rather brainless, you see one and you seen them all sort of thing. How ever I was pleasantly surprised with Suburban Girl, it doesn't take you to the same old plot that seemingly all romantic comedies go to. I am sure you know what I mean, boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy looses girl, boy gets girl in the end. Instead we are introduced to a young woman, unsure of herself, looking to her relationship with an older man to give her the answers she can't seem to find. This is not your usual fare, and is a funny, well acted look at a May December romance. I think Alec Baldwin and Sarah Michelle Gellar, worked well with each other, giving a very good perfromances. I would go see this again.