Wolff rating: GOOD
Plot summary: Appearance-neurotic talk show hostess gets her friend, a model, to screen out an overly-friendly caller.
Biased, pithy comments: This movie, as many have pointed out, is predicated on the mistaken idea that Janeane Garofalo is unattractive, and without reminding yourself that she's supposed to be plain-looking this movie can sometimes get to be a little silly. Still, the Cyrano De Bergerac in a dress is funny especially as the outcome, which seems obvious at the beginning, starts going astray, even as we're watching the visual joke of diminutive Garofalo next to blond, bony Thurman. It even has a big slobbery dog in it and I wasn't annoyed. So, kudos for both the actresses (wisely credited above Chaplin's earnest but bland performance) for making a movie that could be stupid into a light, clever, relaxing, romantic and sweet movie. I appreciated, too, the funny writing that doesn't go overboard into stand-up comedy, though Foxx's character is pretty forgettable (which is unfortunate, because he's talented).
Other Notes: A female reviewer argued that, in fact, even though Garofalo is quite cute, the movie doesn't really require that she be ugly, merely that she have low self-esteem about her appearance, which Janeane demonstrates. I still argue that the part was written for a plainer woman, however; perhaps if Garofalo were 40 pounds heavier would the movie be closer to having her violate conventional American norms of beauty.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Chaplin, Jamie Foxx.
Directed by: Michael Lehmann