- Film Review
- Reviewed By Stella Papamichael
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2 out of 5
The premise of this romantic comedy is: what if a young woman discovered that her family was the template for The Graduate? In one of the many ludicrous twists that shape director Rob Reiner's movie, the now middle-aged inspiration for stuttering geek Benjamin Braddock (played by Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 classic) is smooth-talking stud Kevin Costner. He charms Jennifer Aniston, the soon-to-be-wed granddaughter of Shirley MacLaine (the "real" Mrs Robinson), then actually gloats about bedding three generations of the same family! It's a vomit-inducing concept that isn't helped by a dizzying plot that blurs the boundaries between fact and fiction. Rather than playing to Aniston's deadpan sensibility, Reiner has her bouncing off walls like a clockwork toy that's been wound too tight. While at the other extreme, Shirley MacLaine sleepwalks between whisky sours and stinging one-liners. The end result is disorientating and dull - more likely to get tongues lolling than wagging.
Plot Summary
Comedy drama starring Jennifer Aniston, Shirley MacLaine and Kevin Costner. Sarah Huttinger is less than thrilled about returning home for her sister's wedding, having always felt the odd one out. She then learns of a family rumour from her sharp-tongued grandmother that might shed some light on her status as the black sheep of the Huttinger clan.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Sarah Huttinger
- Jennifer Aniston
- Beau Burroughs
- Kevin Costner
- Katharine Richelieu
- Shirley MacLaine
- Jeff Daly
- Mark Ruffalo
- Earl Huttinger
- Richard Jenkins
- Roger McManus
- Christopher McDonald
- Scott
- Steve Sandvoss
- Annie Huttinger
- Mena Suvari
- Blake Burroughs
- Mike Vogel
- Young Katharine
- Lisa Vachon
- Katharine's friend
- Kathy Bates
Crew
- Director
- Rob Reiner
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