AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS
Released: July 20, 2001
Julia Roberts plays an assistant/sister to a huge Hollywood movie star (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who just broke up with her famous co-star played by John Cusack. As far as movies about people in Hollywood go, this one actually entertains without getting needlessly self-indulgent or overly technical. Directed by new studio Revolution Studios helmer Joe Roth (he used to be head honcho for both Fox AND Disney) and co-written by Billy Crystal, who also stars as a studio publicity chief who is drafted by studo boss played by Stanley Tucci to spin doctor the recent break up of Cusack and Zeta-Jones. Both stars need to promote their upcoming movie but aren’t especially happy about doing a massive press junket together. To make matters even worse, the new film is being held hostage by the oddball director played like only Christopher Walken can. In addition to this, while Crystal is trying to get the two stars back together, Zeta-Jones’s new beau (Hank Azaria, voice of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak and Clancy Wiggum on The Simpsons) is hell-bent on making sure Cusack stays away from her, even at the expense of interrupting the junket. The chemistry between Cusack and Zeta-Jones is mostly believable but ultimately not crucial because this movie is about watching the four leads act together. Roberts is great and the cast is rounded out well with the likes of a truly goofy character played by Alan Arkin, Seth Green and Larry King pimping himself and his CNN persona for a few chuckles here and there. Fun and light, this is worth seeing if you enjoyed “Notting Hill”, “Swimming With Sharks” “The Player” and “State And Main”…
113 Minutes
Revolution Studios/Columbia/Sony