America's Sweethearts (2001)

America's Sweethearts (2001): Dir: Joe Roth / Cast: John Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Crystal, Julia Roberts, Christopher Walken: Fantastic comedy with a memorable climax where actors are seen as they really are on screen. Title is a glamore term describing pressure on celebrities to be what they aren't. John Cusack and Catherine Zeta-Jones are the celebrated married couple until she drops him for another man. He retaliates by crashing his motorcycle through a diner window where they were eating. Billy Crystal plays a Hollywood producer ordered to reunite the couple for the press junket for their latest film. Julia Roberts plays Zeta-Jones's sister who is approached by Crystal for assistance. Director Joe Roth seems to be quoting from the superior Singin' in the Rain. Cusack and Zeta-Jones are given terrific background information . Ultimately by the third act both parties are in totally opposite places in terms of their public appeal. Billy Crystal steals scenes as he struggles to reunite the two stars. His wit and timing elevate the character beyond the typical position given. Roberts is also superb as she attempts to work with both actors while harboring a secret. Christopher Walken is a real treat in the surprise climax as a highly sought after director who brings reality and insight. We learn that the media often puts pressure on celebrities to be what they aren't. Score: 10 / 10

Movie publicist Lee Phillips (Billy Crystal) tries to juggle a crazy director who is holding the movie hostage, and the breakup of the movie's two stars. Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) is terribly jealous of Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones)'s relationship with the weird voiced Hector Gorgonzolas (Hank Azaria). Her last two movies without Eddie has bombed. Lee has to organize a movie junket without anybody seeing the movie. Meanwhile Gwen's dutiful sister Kiki (Julia Roberts) is slowly falling for Eddie.The script written by Billy Crystal, and Peter Tolan takes a few pokes at the movie business. It has a little fun. Billy Crystal is pushing hard for the material. Hank Azaria is doing another stupid voice and is all the more annoying for it. Cusack and Zeta-Jones have little chemistry or great rom-com chops. But there is one thing above all else that annoyed me the most. I cannot buy that Julia Roberts is the ugly duckling. They try to explain it away with her 60 lbs weight loss. Quite frankly, Julia and Catherine operate in the same area of acting. Julia may be slightly better, but this movie needs two women at the opposite ends. Julia can't really pull this off no matter how charming she is. Now if there is a fatter Julia Roberts with 60 lbs on her, she may be great for this role.

SO I just finished watching this movie a couple of days ago. The reason I watched it because Julia Roberts was in it and shes one of my favorite actresses. Here is a short summary of whats it about, Well it starts with a famous Hollywood couple that is going through a divorce, and a movie director who lost his job and has the chance to get it back if he can bring John Cusack's character and Zeta Jones character back to together. Julia Roberts' character is Zeta Jones sister in the movie and happens to to get with John Cusack's character because she always had a crush on him and John Cusack has always liked her.Well the movie was good, it wasn't great. Yes most people will watch it because of the cast and not like it. Christopher Walken steals the show as always in the beginning and end, with short scenes. There are some really funny scenes, but thats about it. The plot of the movie is okay nothing excitint.I give it 6 out of 10 stars. I would at least give it a chance if your fan of any of the actors in this film, or if you like that type of genre.

Yet another movie where the script is unfortunately not able to carry the spectators interest for the whole period. Or, in other words, an idea is not enough and the result is disappointing. Having Americas hottest couple breaking up, putting the question "Will they get together again?" and enrich this plot with some characters that should appear quite overdone but in reality are likely to be even more strange is funny for the first 20 minutes. After that: "Blah, blah, blah" and you have to wait literally until another 50 minutes are gone before there's another gag worth mentioning. The end is screwed up with an idea of a film in the film that is even worse. Sorry, it just doesn't work. Unfortunately there are also not the actors best performances to see so why go and watch this film? Take my advice: Spend your time on some other activity.