Movie Review: Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

Miles Massey, a prominent Los Angeles divorce attorney has everything--and in some cases, two of everything. Despite his impressive client list, a formidable win record, the respect of his peers and an ironclad contract (the Massey pre-nup) named after him, he's reached a crossroads in his life. Sated on success, boredom has set in and he's looking for new challenges. All that changes when Miles meets his match in the devastating Marylin Rexroth. Marylin is the soon-to-be ex-wife of his client Rex Rexroth, a wealthy real estate developer and habitual philanderer. With the help of hard charging private investigator Gus Petch, she has Rex nailed and is looking forward to the financial independence a successful divorce will bring. But thanks to Miles' considerable skills, she ends up with nothing. Not to be outdone, Marylin schemes to get even and as part of her plan, quickly marries oil tycoon Howard Doyle. Miles and his unflappable associate, Wrigley, unwittingly dig themselves in deeper and deeper as they go head-to-head with Marylin. Underhanded tactics, deceptions and an undeniable attraction escalate as Marylin and Miles square off in this classic battle of the sexes.
~Sujit R. Varma

Since I was sorely lacking in the number of books I read last week, and because I really didn't feel like starting a book at 1:00 in the morning, I did some researching and found this movie. I'm ashamed to admit it, but before watching this movie, I had no clue who George Clooney was. Yes, I know, I apparently live in my own little bubble. I've heard his name here and there, and it was when I finally took the time to search him up on Google that I was introduced to this movie. I felt like this movie would be the perfect present to treat myself to since I successfully studied for AP Bio for the first time since the last final! Intolerable Cruelty was exactly what I'd needed: nothing too deep or slow-going, but something that would knock me off my feet (which is kind of impossible since I was in bed while watching this) and make me laugh. And just so you're forewarned, please take note that this movie is completely unrealistic, and all the characters are just a bit touched in the head (in my opinion) 0-0

I have one question. Is George Clooney always obsessed with his teeth or is it just this movie? I feel like he could make it a trademark thing for himself. Anyways, I'd say this movie had tons of quirks, but in reality, the entire thing was a quirk. The "romance" was whirl-wind and not at all likely to happen outside of this movie, considering that Miles was his usual (I'm guessing here) crazy self, and Marylin was a woman intent on getting a rich husband, "nailing his ass", and walking away with a divorce and all his money. Smart woman, but kind of creepy. And Catherine's voice. I'm not quite sure what I think about it, though her tone and even her accent were perfect for her character. It completely fits the intelligent, seductive, manipulating woman she's portrayed as.

If I had to compare this to any movie at all, it would have to be Laws of Attraction. Sure, that movie was better - and not only because 007 was in it - but the whole court thing was similar. The romance in the before mentioned movie was more relate-able and honest and adorable, while I can't help viewing the couple in this movie as rich people who are so bored with life that they need the additional factor of falling in love with the opposite gender crazy person to spice it up. So my recommendation is, if you're looking for a light romcom to make you laugh, watch this. If you want to watch something that resembles a Julie James book (yes!), watch the Pierce Brosnan movie.

While I'm bloated with hundreds of miscellaneous emotions from watching this movie, I'm not exactly sure what I feel about it. The pacing was really quick and made the movie seem short. The theme of the film was great, but it didn't have those little details I like so much. I think that was done purposefully though. About two-thirds into the movie, I was devastated by how things turned out, and then all of the sudden, the plot twisted. Then you settle down...and there's another plot twist. You'd think the plot twists would be over by that point, but no, Mr. Wheezy Murderer has to get into it. Those red herrings near the end of Intolerable Cruelty (great name by the way) were the bane of my laughter. The ending was really cute, and it was nice how the Massey pre-nup had a huge symbolic role throughout the movie; I guess classics aren't the only type of media one can analyze. To get to the point, this was one heck of a movie that definitely made my night.

Movie: Intolerable Cruelty

Released October 10, 2003

Director: Joel & Ethan Coen

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Screenplay: Robert Ramsey, Matthew Stone, etc.

Run Time: 100 minutes

Movie Review: Music and Lyrics

Cheery Alex Fletcher lives comfortably in Manhattan off the residuals from his 80's pop success and reprising his hits at school reunions, theme parks, and state fairs. But those gigs are declining, so he jumps at the chance to write a song and record it with reigning teen idol Cora Corman. Trouble is, he's good at melodies but needs a lyricist and has less than a week to finish. Enter Sophie Fisher, subbing for a friend who waters Alex's plants; she's a pretty good poet, quick witted, and could do it, if she'd agree. But there's some sort of shadow over her head that Alex may not be able to charm his way past. And what if they do get a song written, what then?
~ Anonymous

If I was asked to describe this movie in one word, I'd have to say cute. And cute it was. There was nothing intense about it, nothing detailed or super-romantic. It was, very simply, an everyday romantic comedy, besides the fact that the two main characters were complete weirdos. The only movies of Hugh's that I've watched besides this one are The Proposal and Love, Actually (both amazing movies by the way). In all these movies - including this one - Hugh has a certain "I don't care about anything" attitude, which keeps pretty much every scene from being too intense. I won't lie, I would have preferred intense; the lack of too much emotion made this movie blend in with the thousands of other romantic comedies, and I bet that in a few weeks I won't even remember what most of this movie was about.

I liked most of the characters, as they were all laugh-out-loud funny. My personal favorite character was teen idol Cora Corman, who was played by Haley Bennett. I've never seen her in any movie before, but she played her character in Music and Lyrics perfectly. She was this i-pretend-sex-is-religion-and-i'm-crazy character, and even though she was the weirdest character I've ever seen on television (or in this case, on my phone), I couldn't help but loving her. What I never figured out though was how she was a teen sensation when the stripper-like clothes she wore probably aren't teen-appropriate. I guess that's why it's just a movie.

I've heard other people describe this movie as cliché, but I'm going to have to disagree with that. Sure, it's obvious from just the poster and synopsis that Alex and Sophie are going to fall in love, but that doesn't make it cliché. If anything, their romance is the opposite of cliché. Well, kind of. There is the fact that Sophie hated Alex's old band POP, but then ends up liking him and it....so yeah, that part is cliché. But the other stuff, the details, they're not cliché. Would a cliché storyline have Sophie be the inspiration for a character who seduces a professor from his wife? I think not. And trust me when I say there are tons of other crazy glitches to this "cliché" romance.

If I could go back into the past, would I watch this movie again? Yes, yes I would. It's actually not that bad, and I don't think I'll ever find a movie like this again. It was worth it if just for how much it caused me to laugh. You can never have too much laughter. Would I watch it again in the future? No. This is a one-time thing; it wouldn't be worth losing another 104 minutes from my life.

Now I'd like the take this opportunity to share with you my absolute favorite part/dance sequence in the entire movie. Watch and learn how it's done, yo!:)

Movie: Music and Lyrics

 Released February 14, 2007

Director: Marc Lawrence

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Screenplay: Marc Lawrence

Music Composed by: Adam Schlesinger