Posted: 03/29/2002

The Sweetest Thing

(2001)

by Wayne Case

Sour, silly, sloppy, smutty, and slight.

I give it a 2-1/2.

It doesn’t contain one frame of originality or one shrewd of creativity. The cast didn’t stand a chance given this material, but Cameron Diaz (There’s Something About Mary -1998) really needs to avoid this kind of crap in the future. Here, she does a bad Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H - 1970) impersonation.

I really like Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions - 1999, Legally Blond - 2001) but a few more of these could destroy her promising career. Thomas Jane (Deep Blue Sea - 1999) looks good which is all his role requires. Christina Applegate (from television’s Married With Children) manages to bury her “bimbette” television image and deserves another chance in a decent film.

Although signs of post-production tinkering abound, based on what does appear on the screen, the writing by Nancy Pimental is extremely weak. This is the second theatrical directing credit for Roger Kumble.

This one is bad enough to make me re-evaluate Cruel Intentions (1999), which I thought showed flashes of style and talent. Not this time. Opening weekend grosses (4/12/2002) were less than $10 million. Considering that the budget was likely over $45 million, profit is very doubtful. Exit polls indicate that only those viewers under 21 are likely to enjoy this one.

Wayne Case works in the film industry in Hollywood, and still can’t help himself—he loves the movies!

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