Attempting to rekindle the nearly forgotten genre of the romantic screwball comedy, the film makers behind this effort seem an unlikely team to headline such an undertaking. Director Danny Boyle, writer John Hodge, and actor Ewan McGregor were responsible for the small, but critically acclaimed films "Shallow Grave" and "Trainspotting" -- neither of which remotely falls into this light, airy genre. That shouldn't prevent them from trying, however, and they certainly give it a shot. We just hope it wasn't their best.
Instead of creating a cohesive film, they're delivered little vignettes, some of which are funny and/or indeed truly screwball. A sequence where lead actor Ewan McGregor, mistaken for a huge rock star, must sing along with a karoke tune is a prime example. Starting as an awkward situation and quickly moving into a fun diversion and then into a full-blown musical number, the scene is perfect in its overblown lunacy. Similarly funny, but not quite as inspired, is a sequence where Cameron Diaz's character, a seasoned hostage, teaches McGregor the ropes of being a good kidnaper that includes a hilarious ransom-demanding phone call.
As funny as those moments are, however, they alone can't carry the movie without a connecting plot. Boyle and Hodge, though, are seemingly happy just providing a bare bones version filled with holes, logic problems and general storytelling difficulties. They seem to have misunderstood that a screwball comedy still needs a strong story to hold the zany elements together. What we get instead is something more akin to a variety or skit show featuring some good bits, but many more bad ones.
The partially redeeming quality is McGregor, the new hot star in the world of movies (he recently appeared in the latest "Star Wars" film). Exuding a disheveled charm, you can't help but like the character he's created. While Cameron Diaz is an attractive addition to the cast, her portrayal of a rich spoiled heiress is essentially what you've seen in other similar movies -- despite her penchant for playing William Tell with bullets instead of arrows. She's what you'd expect Alicia Silverstone's character from "Excess Baggage" (another rich girl collaborates on her own kidnaping film) to evolve into after another ten years of financial excess and intellectual boredom.
Both movies try hard at generating humor from kidnaping plots, and thankfully this film is a bit more successful. Helping this happen are the supporting characters, including Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub from the brilliant "Big Night." Tucci's take on an orthodontist, whose fiancé gave him a lobotomy via a bullet, is often hilarious.
Unfortunately, we can't say the same about the characters embodied by Delroy Lindo and Holly Hunter. He seems lost and underplayed in his role, while she hams it up so much and then turns into a heaven-sent female "terminator" that you have no idea what to think of her. While her bits are occasionally humorous, they're more often annoying. Speaking of heaven, the filmmakers completely misplay that part of the plot and scenes there (where Dan Hedaya plays Gabriel as a harried executive) completely miss the boat.
The whole notion of including the matchmaking angels seems out of place to begin with, but if it's going to be done, they should display some inventiveness (Think of "Defending Your Life" or "Heaven Can Wait"). This bureaucratic representation is flat and uninspired and while the latter can't be used to describe this film, it is disjointed and too rambunctious for its own good. While the filmmakers had good intentions and occasionally hit pay dirt with a few scenes, they don't add up to anything near a complete movie and the overall result is a disappointing mess.
The disc itself looks and sound okay, but certainly isn't a title you'll be using to demo your DVD player to those unfamiliar with the format. While I can't imagine what else to include as a supplement, the disc only offers the film's theatrical trailer in that regard.
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