Movie Notes: Because I Said So

June 14th, 2008

= 2 stars

Starring Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Lauren Graham
Directed by Michael Lehmann

Synopsis

Meddlesome mom Daphne Wilder (Diane Keaton) tries to find the perfect man for her awkward daughter, Milly (Mandy Moore).

The Good

• Diane Keaton does her absolute best to make ridiculous situations (a violent massage, cake in her face, finding Internet porn, and sex with the Guy From Seventh Heaven) less so, but daffy acting can improve crap writing only so much. I felt deeply sorry for her.

The Bad

• Satisfies very item on my rom-com cliches.
• As with Saved!, Mandy Moore made little impression on me, and seems trapped in corny predicaments as well (a balloon sticking to her rear, snorting like a hyena, and having to explain orgasms to mom — Meg Ryan did a much better job).
• Other sisters Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo) are essentially useless.
• Two bland-as-rice-cakes guys compete for Milly’s heart, and it’s obvious from the start which one she’ll end up with.
• Very similar to the horrid Monster In Law, starring Jane Fonda.

Conclusion

I blame Hollywood and Mandy Moore for the sadness that is this movie, not Diane Keaton, but all the same: skip it.

IMDB: Because I Said So
Wikipedia: Because I Said So
Rotten Tomatoes: 5%