Review of Living Out Loud (1998) by Sylvia S — 10 Aug 2008

[b][i]Home Fries[/i][/b] - I love Drew Barrymore despite her limited talent as an actress, but here even her charm wasn't enough of a distraction from the nonsensical (and completely uninteresting) plot developments, contrived happenings and a one-two-punch-to-the-funny-bone of an ending that left me breathless...with laughter and dismay. [b]*1/2 (out of ****) D+[/b].

[b][i]How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days[/i][/b] - I liked it, what can I say. As infuriating as I find it that Kate Hudson is still trying to be as completely badass as her mother is, I enjoy her comic timing and her cutesy Punky Brewster face. Matthew McConaughey, on the other hand, should just eat a sand cake and stay stoned, playing his bongos, naked. [b]**1/2 (out of ****) C+[/b].

[b][i]Jerry Maguire[/i][/b] - One of Tom Cruise's best performances and one of Cameron Crowe's best movies ([i]Almost Famous[/i] is overrated, and [i]Elizabethtown[/i] is underrated, in my opinion). All-around fun with some real truth and triumph. I love it. [b]**** (out of ****) A[/b].

[b][i]Keeping the Faith[/i][/b] - Not nearly as biting as its title or its premise might suggest, the Edward Norton-directed comedy still lights up your face with a smile and has some real surprises. Rare in these parts. [b]*** (out of ****) B[/b].

[b][i]Living Out Loud[/i][/b] - While I wouldn't consider this a "romantic comedy" any more than I'd consider such a stamp for the likes of [i]The Upside of Anger[/i] or [i]As Good as It Gets[/i], Richard LaGravenese's [i]Living Out Loud[/i] sure is a good little movie. I liked it a lot. Hunter, DeVito and Latifah are glorious here - funny, fresh and radiant - well...DeVito's not radiant. He's just tiny and funny looking, as always. [b]***1/2 (out of ****) B+[/b].