Gene Hackman, Ray Romano, even Marcia Gay Harden
lead the cast of stars in this cute, quaint comedy.
Who wouldn't be up for a film boasting these names?
But the truth is, despite the strong direction and
brisk pace, an episode of "Everybody loves Raymond"
would win an election where funny is the issue.
A healthier second act follows a rather unfunny
first. At the thirty minute mark, my face had fallen
at rest into something resembling Ray's deadpan
sourpuss. Fortunately, the second act breathes life
back into the production. And aside from a rather
dodgy golf match, the picture begins to offer a
better selection of snickers and giggles up to the
climax. A solid B at that point.
Though he's eternally likable, Ray's plumber
character offers very little of interest (that clip
of him banging his head on the toilet made the
highlight reel), while Hackman's character's search
for solutions (be they sincere or political) makes
for much more engaging viewing. But at climax, the
film refuses to bow out gracefully. An extended
awkward resolution squanders some of the film's
already modest charm.
It's really Hackman that gives the film some
substance, Marcia Gay Harden also lends the film some
sincerity in her small cliché role as chief
assistant to the former president.
A faulted comedy with a great pace that aims for
cute and occasionally succeeds.
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