Romy and Michele: In the Beginning

So this movie is really not any good, but Katherine Heigl is so good that if you like her it is worth watching. I only saw the movie on TV, but the problem is obviously the screenplay. The movie easily could have been just about Romy and Michelle moving out to California, but instead they had to have a transsexual woman and super model and all these stupid elements that just take away from the story. They once again have a dance sequence near the end of the movie, but it is not anywhere near as funny or creative as the original. They took the basic formula from the original instead of just taking the characters into a new movie. Once again Romy and Michelle get into a fight and the whole movie just plays like a crappy retelling of the original. The four out of ten is only because Katherine is so likable in the movie, just like all her other movies so don't watch it unless you really like her.

This is not your typical ABC Family movie. The jokes are surprisingly raw.

I'm surprised I enjoyed this movie so much. So before anyone judges my tastes, I'd like to explain how this movie is one of the first to focus on a "meta" world.

Yes, the gags are sit-com like. And yes, the plot is incredibly predictable, but this is the movie Romy and Michele would make if they could make a movie. It really celebrates a more upbeat optimistic view of the "Hollywood Dream." And is washed with so much color and patent characters of THAT specific era. I really like they captured a bygone era of these post- teen comedies. Where, in any other world, they'd be in deep trouble.

It's not to say that they are completely clueless. They make some really dark innuendos to how often they have sex, who they would have sex with (living or dead), sex changes...basically all the archetypes of what most people think Hollywood is about. Which (now working in Hollywood myself) isn't that big of a stretch. They run into self-important publicists. a VERY narcissistic model, Clubs they're under/over dressed for, next door neighbors who they think are gay. For those in the industry, it's a toybox of your first time here. But in Romy & Michele's case, seen through a sunnier view.

What, I think, a lot of cynics will criticize is how stupid the concept it. The same that would embrace "Dumb & Dumber." That's the point, Romy & Michele live in this very bizarre world that if they are positive, positive things will happen. If you don't believe in "The Secret" (personally I think it's garbage), then this will annoy you to no end. I found it hilarious how their tunnel vision keeps them going on their adventures, whether you think them to be idiots or not. They A) don't seem to care what you think or B) just don't know.

Isn't refreshing to have that type of freedom in life?

It's rudimentary, to be sure, but on a slow night, it's actually a fun watch.

My theory is that someone had a script for a bad comedy about two girls moving into a big city lying around on his desk and while there was nothing else to do, they simply chose to use the script as it is and borrow a name from a well known movie to attract at least some viewers. This would explain all the anachronisms, mixed up names, the long time period between the movies and the fact that the movie is only very distantly connected to the original Romy and Michele movie.

Even so, the movie is not all bad. I'm not saying it is not bad, because it really is. But it's not all bad. The two lead actresses do a fine job, and so does Kelly Brook. Not really going for an Oscar there, but I've seen a lot worse. As far as for the script goes, there's not even a one tiny drop of originality in it but I guess one can't expect that from this type of comedy. As a whole the movie is a cute little comedy which is not particularly entertaining but does not cause a severe headache either.

The movie gets four stars for the wonderful interpretation of Lisa Kudrow by Heigl. Immediately at the film's beginning the audience sees how magnificently she does the voice and facial expressions of her predecessor.

Which would have been enough to give the movie ten stars if it wasn't for the small fact Katherine Heigl is supposed to be playing the part of Mira Sorvino. I thought for a moment I had just mixed up the names from my memories of the previous movie, but no: now that I'm checking this site, I see it was the movie's mistake. They either didn't notice it or didn't care. Whichever is unforgivable.

I'd give the whole thing zero if Heigl hadn't been perfect in her portrayal of at least somebody.

I loved the first movie but just couldn't get into this one for one reason. The girl playing Michelle is NOTHING like the original. It's like a whole new character and I just couldn't get past that. But Romy was perfect casting. She did a really good job and I've liked her in many things she's done. This movie could have been so good if only they had a different Michelle. I loved the Paula Abdul cameo at the end. It was a really cute part. And the costumes were also a little over the top. Romy and Michelle did create their own clothes, but they were supposed to be talented at it. The clothes they wore really did not show any talent at all.