considering the star power of the lead cast members. Julia Robers, Billy
Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and John Cusack all the share the spotlight
equally. The film is first and foremost a lampoon of today's Hollywood, and
its targets are as diverse as the cast. No one emerges unscathed from this
comedy - not high-powered, egotistical producers; not directors with an arty
reputation; not self-absorbed actors; not film critics; and (especially) not
publicists. The writers show no mercy and take no prisoners, and the result
is one of the most caustic and hilarious looks behind the scenes of
movie-making since Bowfinger.
Eddie (John Cusack) and Gwen (Catherine Zeta-Jones) were America's most
beloved husband and wife acting duo. Of the nine films they made together,
six grossed more than $100 million. Then a year ago, the fairy-tale romance
crashed as Gwen began an affair with Spaniard Hector (Hank Azaria) and Eddie
suffered a nervous breakdown. Now after Gwen's solo movie career has tanked
and Eddie is in his 6th month of a two-week rehab, the studio has finished
post production on their final film - Time Over Time. Two publicists, Lee
(Billy Crystal) and Kiki (Julia Roberts), have the unenviable task of
attempting to convince the press that Eddie and Gwen might be reconciled and
heading for a reunion for the sake of box-office revenue. The storylines are
about the hype and hoopla that follow a movie release press junket, the
silliness of the studio elite and the insincerity of Hollywood superstars.
American's Sweethears is characterized by sharp dialogue, comedy that varies
from tame to ribald, and a romance that adds a little sugar to otherwise
salty circumstances. The storylines all spin out of control and entwine each
other. Sure the plot is predictable, but there's fun in the journey and
there's always a vicious one-liner lurking just around the corner. To date,
America's Sweethearts represents the best non-animated summer fare that
Hollywood has been able to serve up. It is well cast, smartly written and
effectively directored - three qualities I'm hard pressed to point out in the
majority of the 2001 "blockbusters".
Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4).