Review of Serious Moonlight (2009) by Thomas W — 13 Nov 2011
A few years ago the cinematic world was treated to a rare film find that leaves its viewers pleased and delighted simply because there had been absolutely no expectations for that particular film. This film is the late Adrienne Shelly's, Waitress.
Shelly wrote, directed, and co-starred in this fun little film which starred Keri Russell (Felecity), Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Serenity, Castle) and Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) which is best remembered for Russell's fine performance, wonderful dialogue and her pie-baking abilities.
It was cute and sweet. After Shelly passed, her friend Hines must have taken up this screenplay and decided to direct it herself as a token of respect for her passed friend. I wish she hadn't because Shelly deserved better.
I am not sure what makes this film so disasterously bad -- the screenplay is poor (it surely would have been tweaked by Shelly had she tried to get it produced) and the directing isn't anything special.
It is actually cringe-inducing and uncomfortable to watch. And it is oh-so-unfunny. Meg Ryan drives home to the an upstate farmhouse only to find that her husband, Timothy Hutton, has strewn the place with roses.
It is very romantic until she realizes it was intended for someone else (Kristen Bell). Angry, feeling betrayed, frustrated -- and JUST PLAIN CRAZY -- she hits him over the head with a potted plant and duct tapes him to a chair .
.. and then she does it AGAIN and duct tapes him to a toilet. She does all of this to make him realize he loves her (because it isn't supposed to make him realize that she is ACTUALLY crazy). As it goes on it becomes more implausible and ridiculous.
It strangely becomes rather formulaic (except for the burglary) and predictable which is sad because it shouldn't have ended like this. In what country is this behavior valid and fine? Hutton looks at Ryan in one scene (when he's taped to a toilet) and says "I'm so embarrassed for you.
" Me too ... but it goes for the both of 'em.
This review of Serious Moonlight (2009) was written by Thomas W on 13 Nov 2011.
Serious Moonlight has generally received mixed reviews.
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