Wedded miss in new Kutcher, Diaz comedy
BUT ROM-COM SET IN SIN CITY, WITH HIT STARS, HAS ITS CHARMS
There's kind of an unwritten rule about romantic comedies. No matter how formulaic the script or how pedestrian the direction or even how silly the basic premise, if the audience falls in love with the stars as much as their characters are supposed to fall for each other, the film works.
They might not reach the level of "When Harry Met Sally..." or "Sleepless in Seattle" or "Pretty Woman," but films like "Runaway Bride" and "Notting Hill" have fallen into that category over the years, entirely due to their stars' appeal.
(20th Century Fox/AP)
Joy: Cameron Diaz
Jack: Ashton Kutcher
Mason: Jason Sudeikis
Jack Sr.: Treat Williams
Banger: Dennis Farina
Dr. Twitchell: Queen Latifah
Hater: Rob Corddry
Twentieth Century Fox presents a film directed by Tom Vaughan. Written by Dana Fox. Running time: 99 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for some sexual and crude content, and language,including a drug reference). Opening today at local theaters.
That's the case with "What Happens in Vegas." The movie doesn't offer much new in terms of plot or overall concept, but thank goodness for Cameron Diaz -- and especially Ashton Kutcher. These two actors let us in on what is simply a fun-filled romp, and it's a cinematic ride that will leave you with a smile on your face.
"Vegas" provides us 99 minutes of relief from the woes of the war in Iraq and the unrelenting and unending presidential campaign. Though likely not a film you'll remember a month after seeing it, it does hit most of the right notes for a good date flick.
Part of the lack of originality here lies with that age-old film concept of throwing together two total opposites who impulsively fall in love (or at least in lust) and then they have the proverbial bucket of water thrown on them before the crisis is resolved in the third act.
Diaz plays Joy, a high-powered, high-maintenance, career-focused New York commodities trader on the verge of a major promotion at her firm. She's vying with another woman to become the first female in upper management.
Suddenly her uptight financier fiance (ex-Chicagoan Jason Sudeikis of "Saturday Night Live") dumps her -- but in a particularly embarrassing way: while they're standing in the doorway of their apartment's vestibule, not knowing all their friends are lurking in a darkened living room, at the surprise birthday party she's organized for him.
Totally depressed, Joy is talked into going to Las Vegas by her best pal, Tipper (Lake Bell). After all, what better place to party madly and push those feelings of unhappiness out the door. And before you can say "craps!" the two gal pals are winging their way to Sin City.
Meanwhile, we're introduced to Jack Fuller (Kutcher), a true party animal and underachieving slacker who thinks his job is secure because he works for his father's furniture manufacturing company.
Wrong-o! After one too many on-the-job screwups, Jack's dad (Treat Williams) challenges him to a little one-on-one basketball game, with Jack's job hanging in the balance. When he loses, Jack is out the door. Call it a fairly predictable example of tough love.
Jack naturally heads to Vegas with his best friend, Steve "Hater" Hader (played hilariously by Rob Corddry).
No big surprise, Joy and Jack hook up in a Vegas bar, leading to a night filled with way too much alcohol, dancing, gambling and major partying in general.
The next morning, the two find themselves in bed -- but there's a little twist: Joy discovers a tacky wedding ring on her left hand. The two tied the knot in a quickie Vegas wedding chapel, but that's no biggie. Joy and Jack realize they couldn't be more different and immediately agree to get the marriage annulled.
Things get complicated -- and the film finds its only hook -- when after a somewhat testy squabble Jack throws a quarter she gave him into a slot machine, which hits a $3 million jackpot.
Naturally, a battle ensues over who really has the rights to the newfound fortune -- as Jack's "wife," Joy believes she's entitled to half, especially since she exclaims "that was my quarter!" that hit the jackpot.
Back in New York, the two find themselves in court, where the conservative judge (intriguingly cast as Dennis Miller) sets down some firm guidelines. He refuses to grant them a fast divorce or split the moolah. Instead, he demands they live together for six months, see a family therapist (Queen Latifah) and then come back to court. Whoever opts out of that arrangement and leaves then loses the cash.
The rest of the film follows the duo's schemes to force the other's hand. Yet in the end, I'm sure you know what happens.
Diaz is a delight, but this is truly Kutcher's film. He's funny as hell but also jumps off the screen as the most appealing of leading men.
It's just a shame these two talented comedic actors don't have a stronger vehicle in "Vegas" to help drive the laughs.
