Unlikely love stories can be fun, funny, moving or sad. MANAGEMENT, written and directed by Stephen Belber (at left, who also wrote the play -- and then the screenplay for -- Tape), is one of these. It manages, in its hour-and-one-half, to be all of the above, as well as melancholy, weird, silly and surprising. That it holds together at all is due to its theme and execution, and to the performances of the cast, particularly of its two stars.
That theme, present from the very first, is the idea that, while people may not be
able to change, they are still capable of growth -- within the framework of their character. The two stars who carry this charming film are Jennifer Aniston, looking quite trim, and Steve Zahn, looking very buff.
That theme, present from the very first, is the idea that, while people may not be
able to change, they are still capable of growth -- within the framework of their character. The two stars who carry this charming film are Jennifer Aniston, looking quite trim, and Steve Zahn, looking very buff.
Ms Aniston (at right and below, right) can do this kind of role in her sleep (and occasionally has: Along Came Polly, Derailed) but here, fortunately, she is committed and believable, first to last, as the working girl who must remain in control and is able to give only so long as she can hold back the important stuff. Mr. Zahn (above and below, left) has been splendid in sidekick roles for so long now that those of us who love his work had pretty much given up hope of seeing him in a decent leading role. (He almost had one in Bandidas, a movie more fun that you may have heard, but of course was eclipsed by Señoritas Hayek and Cruz.) Here, he finally comes into his own as a hero who's endearing and funny, one you can root for without reservation.
2 comments:
Jim - I will have to check this out now. I was planning on avoiding it like the plague because of the awful trailer, but that's not always an indication of worth.
I haven't seen the trailer, Glenn, but I find that trailers are usually "spoilers," if nothing else. I hate and distrust them. Once you've seen the movie, let me know, OK? (You'll probably blog it, right? I'll keep a watch out.) Of course, I may also have a higher tolerance for romantic comedy than you.
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