Monster-in-Law

FLICK You might think it demented to poke fun at mom on Mother’s Day, but the high concept, one-dimensional film Monster-in-Law turns scary into a lot of fun. Jane Fonda, starring in her first film in 15 years, plays the "monster" of the film and will make you scream---with laughter. Having just lost her talk show hosting job to a younger woman, Viola (Fonda) freaks out when her beloved only son, Dr. Kevin Field (Michael Vartan) proposes marriage to good girl Charlie (Jennifer Lopez), a temp who does everything from cater-waiter to walking dogs. Feeling threatened and unwilling to lose him too, Viola enlists the help of her reluctant assistant Ruby (a zinger lobbing Wanda Sykes), and pulls out all the stops to keep the lovers from marrying. Most times the script calls for Fonda to be a one-note outrageous mad woman and go over the top, like when she is given too many tranquilizers and falls asleep in her dinner, or literally in a bitch-slapping contest with Lopez. Maintaining a strong presence while having never played a character this extreme, Fonda has lost none of her comic timing and does her best Jekyll and Hyde while looking fabulous in designer fashions. Though Vartan only has to walk though like Prince Charming and flash a smile, Lopez strains to bring up her end of the sexual chemistry with him. She has her work cut out for her in scenes sparring with Fonda. Her lack of acting strength shows, and Lopez is best when playing it simple and taking a back seat. But overall this is a romantic-comedy, which has no time for dealing with serious issues. Totally predictable but exceedingly likable, Monster-in-Law is one film you wouldn’t want tamed. (2005) My Score: 6.5 out of 10.