You Again (Touchstone Pictures)
Good Family Fun
The new Jamie Lee Curtis/Kristin Bell movie You Again is just pure family fun. It has no pretensions to be anything other than what it is, and that is a comedy about meeting your high school nemesis face to face years later. It isnt the greatest comedy ever made but it is a pleasant way to spend your entertainment time and the whole family can see it together.
Marni (Bell) has a successful career in Public Relations and is complimented constantly on her looks and mind. This is quite a change from her high school days when she was nerd personified. But that was then and this is now, until she goes home for her brothers wedding and finds her worst enemy in high school is the one her brother is going to marry. All of her old insecurities come flooding back.
Her mother Gail (Curtis) tries to alleviate her concerns and tells her to give Joanna (Odette Yustman), her high school foe, a second chance. Nice words but then Joannas Aunt Mona (Sigourney Weaver) arrives for the wedding and Gail is faced with her best friend in high school who became her number one foe.
All these rivalries and jealousies come to a head at the wedding rehearsal dinner and things really get out of hand. The highlight of the evening is a rambling toast made by one of Joannas former boyfriends, the irrepressible Tim (Kyle Bornheimer).
The women dominate the story but Bornheimer gets in a good couple of scenes as does James Wolk as the groom. Billy Unger scores a few points as Ben, Marnis younger brother. Victor Garber is wasted as Gails husband Mark.
Bell is at her best in this film. She has never seemed as comfortable on screen. Curtis is just totally loveable while Weaver is a good contrast for her. Betty White appears in a few scenes and makes the audience laugh. Yustman is Megan Fox pretty but not the best actress around. Kristin Chenoweth does nothing with her role as the wedding planner.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity and comic violence.
The feel of the film is reminiscent of Father of the Bride. It has that kind of familial warmth. You know that nothing terrible is going to happen and that most problems will be resolved. Plus you get Curtis at her warmest and Bell at her most enjoyable.
Whats not to like Well there could have been a bit more depth and the jokes could have been a bit sharper. For most folks though this will be the kind of film they can enjoy with their family and that will be enough.
I scored You Again a repetitive 6 out of 10.
