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Laws
of Attraction
I’m a big fan of the romantic comedy, and I always
relish one that gets pulled off well. I love it even more
when it involves actors I’m fond of.
Laws
of Attraction manages both in an entertaining, though
predictable, fashion. While not one of the stand out romantic
comedies so far this year, it is still an entertaining example
of the genre, and something I enjoyed, as a little fluff
before bedtime. Director Peter Howitt (Sliding Doors,
Johnny English) turns an interesting concept into something
palatable and enjoyable, and not just because Pierce Brosnan
is in it.
Julianne
Moore plays Audrey Miller, a successful New York divorce
lawyer who has pretty much lost interest in relationships.
A surprise twist during her latest trial introduces her
to Daniel Rafferty, played by a delightfully disheveled
Pierce Brosnan, and a rivalry begins between the two, as
the two best divorce lawyers in New York City. It finally
culminates in a very high profile case between two famous
clients, and Audrey and Daniel end up drunk, and married,
in Ireland. Now, to save their reputations, they have to
keep up the marriage. And it might not be as hard as they
think it will be.
Laws
of Attraction does follow the basic romantic comedy
formula: girl is doing her thing, when she meets handsome
guy (or vice versa, take your pick). Guy turns her life
upside down, she ends up hating him, and/or they end up
rivals, but something happens, they realize they love each
other, one goes off trying to find the other, they find
each other, happy ending. And while Attraction
does follow the guide to a T, it makes itself more of a
“moments” movie, with various small interactions
and events making the movie worthwhile, without the sensation
of the overall movie working.
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Pierce
Brosnan is his usual dashing self, though this time he does
it with unkempt hair and wrinkled suit, a delightful change
from his clean cut Bond look. Though pairing him with Julianne
Moore seems an odd choice at first glance, they do have
a certain chemistry together. Both have a proliferation
of freckles that only make them a cuter couple. Their interactions,
with Brosnan’s casual but direct Daniel and Moore’s
slightly stressed sugar addict Audrey, are entertaining,
both in the courtroom and in the bedroom, though they seem
to fit together better as friends than as lovers
Audrey’s
sugar cravings are also an entertaining factor of the movie,
with a delightful panic scene involving hiding in a bathroom
stall and cramming a whole Snoball into her mouth. She’s
constantly munching during the movie, and trying to hide
it from her mother. I wonder that Moore didn’t gain
10 pounds from all the sweets she consumed in the movie,
but she remains her beautiful self the whole time.
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Many
of my favorite scenes involve Audrey’s mother, played
wonderfully by Frances Fisher. Her casual talk of the cosmetic
surgeries she’s had , and devout dislike of Audrey
calling her “Mother” in public is just fun to
watch. Her reasons for relationships are entertaining, and
while she doesn’t steal scenes from the real stars,
she does stand out as being an adorably quiky personality.
Michael Sheen and Parker Posey also give outrageous performances
as a rock star and his fashion designer wife, the high profile
couple wanting a major divorce. They are completely over
the top, and a whole lot of fun.
I don’t
predict that Laws of Attraction will be a smash
hit of the genre, but overall it’s not bad for a date
movie.
Rating:
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