Make a Date with four charmers in a tale of love and values
Is love more likely to survive in the spotlight of fame or with wholesome values
and anonymity? That’s the question three young adults in Win a Date with
Tad Hamilton must answer as fate and ashrewd business manager (Nathan
Lane) throw their lives in turmoil.
Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel), an up-and-coming film hunk, sees his image tarnished
after a tabloid publishes compromising pictures. To reclaim his client’s boy-next-door
image, Hamilton’s agent launches a contest allowing mere mortals who pay a $100
entry fee to win a date with the movie star. The winner turns out to be sweet-as-apple-pie
Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth). She’s so naïve, she actually believes the actor
is as squeaky clean as his screen persona. Pete Monash (Topher Grace) sees through
the façade and has no problem pointing it out. What he can’t speak of, however,
is his love for Rosalee.
The script by Victor Levin smartly plays against expectations. Instead of
Rosalee being smitten, she instead spurns Hamilton’s glitzy lifestyle and returns
home to West Virginia. The actor, recognizing she’s got something he’s missing
in his life, pursues her. His arrival in her small town sets up many funny moments,
as he learns to rough it, Pete tries to compete, and Rosalee’s friend, Cathy
(Ginnifer Goodwin), does her best not to implode in a movie star’s presence.
All four leads are genuinely charming, and I found myself wanting to spend
more time with them after the film came to an abrupt halt. Though any good first
date should leave you wanting more, I wish Tad would have hung around
a bit longer.
What other critics are saying…
L’Auberge Espagnole [R] A straight-laced French
student shares an apartment in Barcelona with six other Europeans, where they
speak the international language of love and friendship. Together, they speak
the international language of love and friendship. White Oaks
Along Came Polly [PG-13] Ben Stiller plays a man who’s afraid of risk.
But he makes his living analyzing risk, gets involved in a risky romance, and
cheats on his wife.“A
movie that sets its comedy bar too low for the talents involved.”
(Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter)
ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Big Fish [PG-13] Son learns more about his dying father by reliving
his father’s stories and myths. “Big Fish is Tim Burton’s masterpiece.” (Glenn
Whipp, L.A. Daily News) ShowPlace West
The Butterfly Effect [R] Evan (Ashton Kutcher), mourning the death
of his girlfriend, finds he can go back in time and change the future. But every
change he makes goes wrong. “Dreary and overfamiliar.” (Dennis Lim, Village
Voice) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Calendar Girls [PG-13] The women of the Rylstone Women’s Institute
in North Yorkshire drop everything for a good cause. Stars Helen Mirren and
Julie Waters. “A grown-up comedy that is warm, winning and sexy.” (Ray Bennett,
Hollywood Reporter) ShowPlace West
Cheaper by the Dozen [PG] The Baker family moves from a small Illinois
town to the big city after dad gets his coaching dream job. Steve Martin and
Bonnie Hunt star in this remake. “Martin and Hunt, reliable pros though they
are, don’t stand a chance against the force arrayed against them: the bald cliches,
unspeakable dialogue, and cheap sentimentality of the script . . .” (Jim Lane,
Sacramento News & Review) ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
Cold Mountain [R] A wounded Confederate (Jude Law) embarks on a perilous
journey back home to Cold Mountain, N.C., to reunite with his sweetheart (Nicole
Kidman). Based on the novel by Charles Frazier. “Cold Mountain reiterates a
universal truth, and a message of hope.” (Chuck Koplinski, Illinois Times.)
Parkway Pointe
The Cooler [R] A casino uses the unluckiest man in Vegas (William H.
Macy) to put a damper on high-rollers’ action. It works, until “the cooler”
falls in love with a cocktail waitress. “The Cooler isn’t a great movie
— like a nervous gambler, it’s scared to go for broke — but it has a good run
for awhile.” (Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger)
Parkway Pointe
The Gospel of John [PG-13] The story of Jesus, narrated by Christopher
Plummer. “Feels like the longest Sunday school class ever.”(Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press) Parkway Pointe
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King [PG-13] Final part of trilogy,
as hobbits Frodo and Sam journey to Mount Doom in Mordor. “As a model for how
to bring substance, authenticity and insight to the biggest of adventure yarns,
this trilogy will not soon, if ever, find its equal.” (Kenneth Turan, Los
Angeles Times)ShowPlace West, ShowPlace East
21 Grams [R] A critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother and
a born-again ex-con are brought together by a freak accident. “You won’t soon
forget the world that Gonzalez Inarritu creates.”(Robert Denerstein, Rocky
Mountain News) Parkway Pointe
Teacher’s Pet {PG] Disney cartoon about Spot, a dog who can read and
talk. He sneaks into school and hijinks ensue. Parkway Pointe, ShowPlace East
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2004.
