It has to stop. Critics don't even go to the screenings of romantic comedies anymore. Doesn't anyone want to have a good time? Yes, most of the time a disaster is meant to happen because the industry has ran out of ideas and thus people have lost the faith in romantic comedies; but this isn't an excuse for writing reviews that sometimes indicate that critics may not have seen the film or that talk more about Meg Ryan's surgery than her performance.
"My mom's new boyfriend" stars Ryan as Marty, the mother of Henry (Colin Hanks), an FBI agent, and a woman who was once extremely fat but now when Henry comes back from a very long work trip, is completely unrecognizable. I don't know what surgeries everyone mention, but the woman Henry sees by the pool is very hot and I guess that's why a mysterious art thief (Antonio Banderas) falls for her.
I don't know why anyone would enter this film badly predisposed. Firstly, It has Meg Ryan, eternal queen of romantic comedies. Is she in a bad acting phase? Nonsense: watch "In the land of women" and "In the cut" and tell me if I'm wrong. Secondly, it has Antonio Banderas, whom I don't like but I prefer him laughing of himself and smiling rather than pretending to be serious. Here, the actor and actress have chemistry and if they were laughing of themselves it certainly made a positive effect.
What else? Colin Hanks, who showed his comedic chops in the excellent "Get over it" and in the very good "Orange County". And Selma Blair plays a delightful supporting role. Who dislikes Selma Blair? Am I selling this movie to you, by defending its participants? You bet I am. Take in consideration it's not a great movie (which romantic comedy is these days; I can accept that) and I knew nothing about its director George Gallo, who also wrote it.
Gallo seems to be a kind man. The chemistry between this 'unexpected cast' (take a good look again and you'll realize you would have never expected to see those four together) proves this; and his script, unoriginal and uncompromised, reaffirms it. The key word here is 'uncompromised', because "My mom's new boyfriend" doesn't break into new ground of the classic formulas or contains many laughable jokes (there were two or three times I truly laughed, though), but that's not where you should look.
Maybe it's too convenient, but it's as if Gallo knew that romantic comedies are taken less seriously these days, so he provides a direction that is not safe (that would be a disaster), which is what someone would do to secure a hit, but it's definitely pleasing. The thing is that Gallo makes it pleasing in the best form he could, with a fast-paced rhythm and a fun edition that accentuates it; a lineal storyline and a preoccupation for characters.
Don't be surprised if you identify with some of these beings. I'm sure you've seen them before but as complete stereotypes. "My mom's new boyfriend" is short, but in its duration finds time to construct its characters and establish their personalities by giving each one of them interesting things to say. Because I love romantic comedies I try to notice details, and I understand if by now you see me as someone not to trust when it comes to this genre. I've already learned to let myself go and forgive minimal trespasses in occasions; but I'm writing objectively, and I'm writing the truth.
"My mom's new boyfriend" is a good romantic comedy. Now tell me about the 'twist'
You couldn't have seen that one coming.
