Monster-in-Law

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Monster-in-Law

Promotional poster for Monster-in-Law
Directed by Robert Luketic
Produced by Chris Bender
J.C. Spink
Paula Weinstein
Written by Anya Kockoff
Starring Jane Fonda
Jennifer Lopez
Michael Vartan
Wanda Sykes
Monet Mazur
Elaine Stritch
Music by David Newman
Rosey
Cinematography Russell Carpenter
Editing by Scott Hill
Kevin Tent
Distributed by New Line Cinema
Release date(s) May 5, 2005
Running time 101 min.
Language English
Budget $60,000,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

Monster-in-Law is a 2005 romantic comedy film, directed by Robert Luketic. It marks a return to cinema for Jane Fonda, being her first film in 15 years. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by David Newman and Rosey.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

Charlie Cantilini (played by Jennifer Lopez) is a temp from Venice Beach, California, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by Michael Vartan). Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.

Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (played by Jane Fonda). Viola has recently been replaced as a newscaster for someone younger, and is in a meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, Viola becomes even more distraught when Kevin proposes to Charlie. Fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she decides to destroy Kevin and Charlie's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (played by Wanda Sykes) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away. Charlie eventually catches on to Viola's plan and fights back. On the wedding day, Viola turns up wearing a white dress instead of the dress specially made for her by Charlie. Then Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Gertrude (Elaine Stritch), appears and they have an argument. Gertrude's resentment of Viola bears a strong resemblance Viola's feelings toward Charlie. Charlie decides to back down as she witnesses Gertrude and Viola's relationship. "Nothing's going to change." she laments to Viola after Gertrude leaves the room, "In thirty years that will be us." Charlie exits to tell Kevin that the wedding is off and Ruby enters and talks with Viola. Viola is miffed that Charlie compared her to Gertrude; Ruby points out that Viola is actually worse than Gertrude. Ruby points out that Viola's efforts against Charlie, to make Kevin happy, are unwarranted. "Whatever made you think he wasn't [happy]?" is her final point. Viola has an epiphany and realizes that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile. Charlie and Kevin then get married and when Charlie throws her flowers Viola catches them. The movie ends with Ruby imitating Viola's dreadful laugh.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Reaction

The movie was generally panned by critics,[1][2] but the $43-million movie became a box-office success, earning $83 million ($153.8 worldwide)[3] during its theatrical run in summer 2005. This was considered good news for Jennifer Lopez, for this is her second box-office hit (the previous one was 2004's Shall We Dance?) following the notorious failure Gigli (2003). It was also good for Jane Fonda, since it was her first film since 1990s Stanley and Iris, and the two actresses were among the film's strongest points.

[edit] DVD

The 2 disc set DVD was released 2005-08-30 with an audio commentary and these featurettes:

  1. "Welcome Back Jane"
  2. "A Jennifer of All Trades"
  3. "Vartan the Man"
  4. "Trendsetters" (2 part)

The scene selection chapters are:

  1. Main Titles / First Sight
  2. Party at the Loft
  3. Awkward Coffee Break
  4. Replacing a Legend
  5. Viola's Fresh Start
  6. “Oh My God!”
  7. The Perfect Project
  8. Setting Up Charlie
  9. Wedding Planner?
  10. New Roommate
  11. Hostile Takeover
  12. Turning the Tables
  13. Lunchtime Showdown
  14. Rehearsal Dinner Shenanigans
  15. The Big Day
  16. The Original Monster
  17. Compromise
  18. End Credits

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Monster-in-Law - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes
  2. ^ Monster-in-Law (2005): Reviews
  3. ^ Monster-in-Law (2005)

[edit] External links


Preceded by
Kingdom of Heaven		 Box office number-one films of 2005 (USA)
May 15, 2005		 Succeeded by
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith