America's Sweethearts (2001)

Needing something uncomplicated and light-hearted to ease my mind from exam preparations, I remembered America's Sweethearts, which I hadn't seen since maybe middle school. It is not as entertaining as I remember, but still works pretty well as a parody of the movie industry with a little romance in the background. It's also where I first learned the word "junket", so it's instructional. Billy Crystal (who also co-wrote the script) plays Lee Phillips, recently-fired publicist for sensational on- and off-screen couple Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) and Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who separated 6 months ago. Gwen now dates Spanish performer Hector (Hank Azaria), while Eddie is experimenting with herbal medication in a new-age wellness center.

Their latest (and last) movie is being held hostage by its eccentric director, Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken), and the studio head (Stanley Tucci) convinces Lee to get the two of them together again with hints of rekindled romance for the junket, hoping the press won't notice they haven't seen the film yet if they're focused on this behind-the-scenes relationship. They resent one another but smile for the cameras, while Gwen debates giving Eddie divorce papers. Meanwhile her downtrodden sister and assistant Kiki (Julia Roberts) is harboring a long-time crush of her own.

This is a decent send-up of pampered movie stars and the people who work behind them in production and publicity. Gwen is very self-absorbed, but live off the attention of others. She sees herself always as the victim, not comprehending how she affects anyone else. Eddie is pretty spoiled too, but is an ok guy to be around despite his unhealthy obsession with Gwen. Lee and Kiki give them everything they want, feeding their egos and waiting on them hand and foot. However, Lee will exploit them in almost any way possible, seeing them simultaneously as friends and marketing ploys. There is a great repartee between Lee and his young replacement Danny (Seth Green), with the former constantly chiding the latter for knowing nothing about the ins and outs of his chosen business.

The thing about this movie that gets to me is that despite an interesting premise and some great lines and performances (especially Catherine Zeta-Jones, who just nails it as the gorgeous, quick-witted, and self-obsessed Gwen), it fails to live up to its potential. There would be some great jokes followed by something boring or cliched, which would instantly quell my laughter. Jokes like "dog licks Billy Crystal's crotch" and "John Cusack appears to be masturbating in cacti" are just not in keeping with the rest of the movie's tone. I'm not saying it's otherwise a biting, hilarious satire, but it does a pretty good job script-wise, and certain humor feels out of place.

The romance part of this romantic comedy was also the most boring. Yeah sure I want the once-chubby, now-thin and possibly eating-disordered (and therefore finally able to have a relationship, since god forbid a leading man be attracted to anyone over 120 lbs) Kiki to be all cute with John Cusack. Who doesn't? But I think this movie could have stuck more to the press and behind-the-scenes studio stuff, keeping the idealized Hollywood couple bickering like crazy, and it would have been more interesting. As it is, it just sort of falls flat. But still, America's Sweethearts has some really great moments and good performances (hello, Hal Ashby-ed Christopher Walken and hi, lisping overly-macho Hank Azaria!). And John Cusack is there, so I'm content enough. It's better than a lot of other romantic comedies but that's not saying much, is it?

3/5

PS I'm not sure why, but something about this struck me as being one of the whitest movies I've ever seen. And I feel like I watch a lot of really white movies. Huh.