Review of New in Town (2009) by Stephen S — 21 Mar 2010

Cute, though predictable, 'date' movie. At least, Zellweger and Connick have chemistry on-screen. Both lead actors portray characters rather than walk through the film as themselves. This is a 'fish-out-of-water' story. Zellweger plays a senior executive at a Miami-based food processing corporation that is given the assignment of closing down an under-achieving midwest plant that is scheduled for automation. Connick is the local labor leader.

The movie has its moments. The main characters do evolve; the supporting cast does an amiable job. It's not great filmwork, but it does attempt to put a smile on your face. Admittedly, I found some of the stereotyping of midwesterners as country bumpkins rather disheartening and annoying, as though this is Hollywood's impression of what midwesterners act like.