| Overall Grade: |
D+ |
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| Story: |
D |
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| Acting: |
C- |
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| Direction: |
D |
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|
| Visuals: |
F |
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Not Even Worth Renting...
by DennisA (movies profile)
Mar 18, 2008
48
of
77 people found this review helpful
Rumor Has It promises much with a stellar cast, a talented director and a novel idea for a story-line (a young girl played by Jennifer Aniston discovers that her mother and grandmother were the real-life women upon which the book/film The Graduate were based.) Unfortunately, the film fails to deliver on almost every level.
Visually, the film is drab and colorless to look at. The production values, at their most basic level, are not only lackluster, but amateurish and flawed. Frequently throughout the film, the actors' words (clearly looped in) do not match their mouths onscreen. In addition, continuity errors are frequent and glaring. Also, in any of the endless location shots in airports, watch for the production crew reflected in almost every window, in almost every scene.
The cast of Rumor Has It boasts its share of Oscar and Emmy award-winning actors. Unfortunately, however, no star performances materialize. Shirley MacLaine, as the real-life Mrs. Robinson disappoints as a subdued, mildly irritated grandmother to Jennifer Aniston. One gets the feeling that MacLaine never had the opportunity to let loose and flesh out what could have been a memorable character. In fact most of the actors seem to be way under their game as if they were reined in severely. Even Kathy Bates, who usually plays so far over the top, was beyond restrained as Aniston's alcoholic aunt. Of the veteran screen actors in the mix, Kevin Costner is the only one to come through with a credible, memorable and consistent performance as the former Benjamin, now a likable internet mogul.
Jennifer Aniston and Mark Ruffalo, as the story's romantic interests are so blase about their own relationship that it is difficult for the audience to care whether their romance can survive or not. Part of this is due to the story and the writing itself - there is a message here that passion and love are fleeting, but settling for a relationship (even a loveless one) that has the potential for longevity and security is a noble act. At one point in the film as Aniston and Costner are in the throes of pursuing their own passions and immediate desires, they admit to one another that pursuing one's dreams is merely "chasing ghosts." For my taste, that's a bit cynical for a film that claims to be a romantic comedy. As for the performances of these two "lovers", Ruffalo is just not good-looking enough to get by with an emotional range of less than zero. His performance is weak, ambiguous and confused - we never have a clue how he feels about nearly everything in this film. Although he is portraying the role of a successful New York attorney, his performance feels much closer to that of a second-string TV cop. Based on this film alone, we have no idea what Aniston is capable of. She is totally constrained in this role as a woman who doesn't know what she wants, doesn't know what she thinks, and doesn't know who she is. Ordinarily, the journey of such a character can be compelling cinema material, but in this case, all Aniston is permitted to do as an actor is look bewildered and lovely from beginning to end.
I've looked forward to this film's opening with high hopes. Imagine my disappoint when, within the first ten minutes of the film, it was crystal clear that Rumor Has It was one of the worst films I have seen in 2005. What a shame, as I am such a fan of Jennifer and Kevin and Shirley and Kathy AND Rob Reiner. I look forward to all of their collective NEXT projects!
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