America's Sweethearts: I Will Buy Anything With John Cusack In It

Every now and then I begin watching a movie and as I'm watching I become very aware that what I'm watching isn't very good and yet somehow I can't turn away. Maybe it's the actors in the movie. Maybe it's amusing enough to distract me from something far more important. Regardless the movie keeps my attention. This is certaintly the case with today's movie which I got for a dollar online because I'm a die hard John Cusack fan. But let's save our judgement for the time being and sum up the story.

So in an alternate reality of sorts Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Cusack (fresh from their brief affair in High Fidelity) are a differently named power couple, Eddie and Gwen, that star in movies together. But everything has gone all wrong in paradise as Miss Jones falls into the hands of Spanish pretty boy (Hank Azaria). Cue Billy Crystal as a publicist named Lee who has just been replaced by Seth Green. Luckily for Lee the studio exec (Stanley Tucci) has his hands on the last Eddie and Gwen movie and wants to be able to sell it while he can. So Lee is rehired and enlists the help of Gwen's sister and personal manager Kikki (Julia) to bring the couple back together. Mayehm of course ensues and romance blooms in places one wouldn't expect.

Because saying good things first means the sour taste from the bad things I say are left in your mouth I'm going to go against formula and say what's bad before what's good. First things first, Billy Crystal has never been my favorite. He comes from a different school of comedy than I generally like and considering the script was co-written by him his delivery is all over the movie. I do own at least three movies with him in it but as I've said not the biggest fan. Also is it just me or is everyone in this movie relatively unlikeable? Even the warm gooey center Julia Roberts does some things that don't make sense. I mean I understand that people are irrational but this seems to be pushing it.

Second, it really doesn't get anymore generic than this when it comes to rom-com territory. Guy breaks up with girl. Girl turns out to be mean. Guy realizes nerdier looking girl could be better for him. Gee it's She's All That and every other teen comedy with adults. I also am personally calling shenanigans on the fact that both John Cusack and Catherine Zeta-Jones characters were stolen from High Fidelity.

So why did I even bother to watch this movie. First and foremost I'm a sucker for John Cusack. He's always a different version of himself in every movie but I really like that guy so I'll watch him. There are also a number of hilarious cameo roles littered throughout the film such as Hank Azaria in a ridiculous accent and Christopher Walken as the movie's crazed/brilliant director. It's also undeniable that Catherine Zeta-Jones makes a hilarious diva.

For this movie you'll watch it for the talent on-screen and not so much for what's happening. I will admit the climax is relatively satisfying and pretty hilarious but deep down I wish the movie just went the full mile and went balls to the wall crazy the entire time. But if you're a sucker for any of the actors listed in this film you'll find a way to enjoy this movie.