Writer: Hanna Zainal

Writer Ratings:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects: NA
Cinematography:

Watch this if you liked: "Couples Retreat", "Sex And The City"

If you need an extra dose of Sarah Jessica Parker whilst waiting for the highly anticipated "Sex And The City" sequel, to be released in 2010, then this movie is for you. This time, Parker gets paired up with long-time leading man Hugh Grant who stars as her estranged husband Paul Morgan. Meanwhile, Parker plays Meryl Morgan, a successful real estate agent in New York.

The premise of the film is simple. Estranged couple witnesses a murder and in order to escape the still-roaming killer, the authorities put them under a witness protection program. Assuming new identities, the estranged couple are forced to help each other adapt to their brand new life in rustic Wyoming, USA. The couple, who are complete city slickers, get a shock at the rural lifestyle of the residents in Wyoming, but soon learn to adapt.

In short, what you have here is a typical fish-out-of-water movie, which has been done numerous times before. Unfortunately, it does not do it well. For one thing, while Parker and Grant share some palpable chemistry, it does not seem genuine enough. Even the comic banter in the movie falls flat. At times, it's as if the audience are forced to laugh at them for the sake of it instead of truly enjoying the joke. There are times when Hugh Grant seems bewildered and has a facial expression that says, "How the heck did I sign up for this movie?" Thankfully, he manages to keep his suave British accent, which is godsend.

The two stars' characters could have been expanded further. While the reason for their estrangement is explained, it would have been worthwhile to show their character's background and how they got together. While Parker and Grant play their roles well, the only complaint is that Grant rehashes the same old bumbling, British man role he's always played. In fact, the killer pursuing the Morgans to eliminate them, Vincent (Michael Kelly), is relegated to the background through various short scenes. The movie is supported by a terrific supporting cast that includes Sam Elliott as the local marshal Clay Wheeler and his wife, the deputy marshal Emma (Mary Steenburgen) who host the couple in Wyoming.

This movie is suitable to be watched on a lazy, Sunday afternoon when there's nothing to be found on the telly. Strictly recommended for hardcore Parker and Hugh Grant fans.

Cinema Online, 22 December 2009