Review of Nurse Betty (2000) by Doug R — 11 Jan 2006

I was kind of nervous about watching this again with someone to whom I had recommended it because, although I remember liking it overall, I also remember the only time I had seen it, it had definitely left me thinking "what the heck was THAT?!?" But I have to say I liked it even better this second time, probably because I knew what I was getting myself into.

This is such a weird movie; it's LOL funny, and sweet, and tragic, and romantic, and shocking, often all in the same scene. It goes from charming to horribly violent or lovely to crudely profane in a heartbeat but, whatever emotion its playing on, it hits you with it dead-on.

I think I alternately loved, hated and felt sorry for, almost every character in this film; they are ALL brilliantly acted and so sincerely by a stellar cast. The camera work and score are simple, & they should be; they underscore the true stars of the movie: the characters and the script.

It's wholly original in the way that Being John Malkovich and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane are; you just have no idea what youre watching, even long after it's over, but you REALLY enjoy being along for the ride.

Pure originality in filmmaking is so rare, it always catches you by surprise and this one definitely does that!!! It's easily a healthy 8 (....no matter that the person I made watch it with me is still in the "WHAAAT.

...?!?" phase & looking at me like he just discovered I smoke crack....lol) !