Review of I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007) by Kenzie A — 05 Apr 2008

Don't let the stigma of a "Direct To DVD" release sway you from seeing the latest charmer from Writer/Director Amy Heckerling. Michelle Pfeiffer returns to the screen as a divorced Writer/Producer of a hit teen sitcom entitled, "You Go Girl!" who is also dealing with the politics of feminism and aging in the Hollywood scene.

Added to her plate are the travails of raising her daughter, Izzie as she enters puberty. Just when her life could not get any more complicated, she meets and falls in love with Paul Rudd, a 29 year old actor auditioning for her program.

What we have is a smart, breezy, and sharply satirical film that is a showcase for Pfeiffer, who displays a loose, brightly comedic and frisky exuberance not on display in far too long. Rudd also shines brightly with effortless charm but a special treat is the early supporting performance by Saoirse Ronan (from "Atonement") as Pfeiffer's daughter experiencing her first pangs of teenage love.

So why was this film not released in theaters? Thanks to a recent expose in "Entertainment Weekly," Heckerling certainly walked thorugh the fire for her film, which was the victim of several studio collapses and Hollywood politics.

This is not a perfect film and it doesn't scale the heights of Heckerling's two classics, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" and "Clueless." It does seem a bit ragged here and there, from what seems to be unfinished color correction and special effects.

But, again, it is well worth a look and what a pleasure it was to see Michelle Pfeiffer again!