Just Add Water

I'm always partial to sunny California movies because I live in a rainy climate. So, a few stars just for that...

However, while this movie started off strong - a sparse, dark comedy, engaging storyline; it ended on an altogether different and implausible note. Which is a shame because it was a movie with a lot of potential, good writing, good story, good casting and good acting.

The "romance" between the two lead characters was a snooze. For the feminists out there, if you take issue with the story of Snow White and what it implies then the love story here may also irk you. The son's romantic life, while again implausible, was more interesting.

The not-so-subtle symbolism of dry, arid land vs. fertile land practically smacks you in the face.

Basically, if you have a couple of hours to kill on a rainy day, watch it. It's mostly entertaining. If you like complex situations neatly wrapped up with a bright Hollywood bow, you're in luck. If you like movies where peace is brought when gender roles are strictly adhered to, even better.

Although back when the movie was made, some of them did not have that star power they had later (and some still) in their career. DeVito is well known of course, or was better known and he has a nice role in this. It's actually a slow burning comedy though, one where Danny does not have to "explode" or go all crazy or anything.

That also means, that some might not have the patience to actually sit through this one. There is good humor in this and it can be a fun watch, but it's not exactly laugh out loud material you're being served here. Not sure if comparisons would make this look better for some (especially to Juno as another reviewer remarked), but if you like small budget movies or find yourself to be a fan of most of the cast, you will have at least some fun watching this (it's more than decent overall)

This is a satirical romance/comedy about a man who just enjoys the simple things in life and lives in a rundown community run by a meth head teenager. In it there are a couple subtle messages that go without being truly noticed. You will catch them if you are actually paying attention to the characters and their development.

The humor is sometimes dry, useless in some scenes but helps drive the plot line. Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck) is the center piece of this film as Ray, simple, but hopeless man who goes day to day. The cast ensemble includes Melissa McCarthy, Justin Long, Danny DeVito, Jonah Hill who all have smaller roles but ones with substance.

Overall the film doesn't scream laughter or too much in your face romance, it drives home the point about having dreams and being able to dream big enough to see it through. A generally good date movie. I give it 5/10

I absolutely loved this film. It's endearing from beginning to end. Seeing it tonight at the DGA was a great way to spend the evening. I had no idea what I was walking into beyond the stellar cast comprised of Dylan Walsh, Tracy Middendorf, Danny DeVito and the ever beautiful Cerina Vincent. Rounding out the cast were a couple cameos including a great turn by uber-slacker Justin Long.

Funny. That's the underlying truth. But without the over-the-top syrup that comedies like this strive for. Dylan's stretching his legs into a new category of his career...a fine actor beyond the scope of Nip/Tuck. I'm anxious to see his role as the psychotic dad in The Stepfather remake lensing right now.

DeVito's voice-over carried the comedic scenes into a hilarious threshold and I found myself clapping while busting a gut at some of the sequences...including a nod at Blazing Saddles with a meth'd out woman punching a dog.

And Hart Bochner. What can I say? He forever left an image opposite Alan Rickman trying to broker a deal in the original Die Hard playing Ellis...well, chalk up his resume to a writer/director to watch in the coming years. He's transitioned quite well and created a gem of a little film.

Brilliant. Not to miss.

This is a light romantic comedy that is very dopey and really not that funny. It has some moderately humorous situations and characters but for the most part this thing is a terrible bore that winds up being a visual montage for Danny DeVito's endless voice-overs. He also has a bit part.

PLOT: Life in Troma, a desert town is kind of a pain in the ass for Ray, his wife is nuts, his kid hates him, his life gets turned upside down and then something interesting happens to Ray, who normally puts up with everything life hands him... it might have something to do with the cashier at the local mart.. what follows is total fluff, a little bit of strained chemistry as our actor tries to portray a heterosexual male and comes up a little short.

Overall it's a bore with a couple of fun scenes here and there -take a peek if you are bored, don't expect much.