3 gibbles out of 5

Director: David Burton Morris

Okay. Against my first judgments, I enjoyed this movie. But let’s clear out one big negative: that through the whole thing, I couldn’t shake the basic setup, that a girl decides that she needs a rich man to care for her so she doesn’t have to work anymore, and spots a guy with whom she falls in love immediately, then pursues him, regardless of the fact that he initially despises her. The moral behind that concept is obnoxious and ridiculous, the same crap that’s peddled in a lot of romantic female-oriented comedies: you need a man.

On the plus side, the movie does redeem itself with some insight into family and roots, and the main lead does stand up for herself. But it never really negates that initial premise, and so to that I make a stinky stink. …However… ignoring that moralistic clap-trap, it was fun. Jamie Gertz is great in her role, and McDermott’s conversion from sleaze to okay is written sort of shoddily (he jumps pretty quick) but acted convincingly. And it feels authentic. While I don’t know how accurate this is to 90s Jersey Girls, the area feels real, as it was shot where it says it was – Jersey. (Or looks like it, anyway.)

There are a couple of surprises in characterization, and some fun “I’ve been there” moments. So this is totally average romcom stuff, and the plot is nothing new, but it’s a good rainy day movie about a girl and a guy.