When Christmas movies are either the classics, such as "A Christmas Carol" or "The Christmas Story", or made-for-TV sugar epics, it's nice to find a nicely sophisticated gem of a romantic comedy.
The leading cast are superb. I'd watch Christine Baranski and Bobby Cannavale in *anything* - even a traffic jam. I first saw Christine on Broadway - she is a brilliant actress, singer and dancer. Bobby came to my attention on "Third Watch" on TV. You may also remember him from his story arc on "Will & Grace." I admit, I've no idea who Carly Pope is, but she's a lovely young woman with an excellent delivery.
The story is bright and fun, with underlying emotional pinnings. J.J. Jenner (Pope) works at "Glow Manhattan" - a magazine for the most cool, most hip, most happening people of New York City. She has aspirations for more; has writing talent and the ability to discern every ingredient in any food she's served. J.J. is given the opportunity to become the magazine's food critic and is under a two-week, pre-Christmas deadline.
Enter Lee, J.J.'s mom, a gypsy (dancer) whom J.J. thinks is just having a short vacation from her job entertaining on a cruise ship. Little does she know that Mom is broke, homeless and desperate. There is a strained history between them since the death of J.J.'s father and Lee's husband 8 years before.
So Mom moves in, bag and baggage, and let the games begin! J.J. (who is named for Janis Joplin, btw) now has to deal with a tight deadline on her possible new promotion, the loss of her jerk boyfriend, Mom invading every part of her life (Oh, the pain! the pain!) and she's slowly unraveling.
Enter Alex (Cannavale), a chef and nascent restaurateur who is desperate for publicity for his restaurant. A chance meeting with J.J. is the start of an unholy alliance: Alex will distract Lee and get her out of J.J.'s hair in exchange for the possibility of a review in "Glow Manhattan" magazine.
This movie is wonderfully charming and lots of fun to watch. I didn't find myself watching the clock once, or flipping to other channels (well, OK, I did during the commercials). Christine Baranski can do no wrong in my book - I've never seen her turn in a lazy or inadequate performance. (Have you seen her "Mary Sunshine" in "Chicago?") Bobby Cannavale, besides being a wonderful actor, is about the nicest piece of eye candy around. He's an extremely intimate actor; meaning that he never seems to be aware of the camera's eye, but is enwrapped in the scene and the moment. What a joyous change from all the strutting peacocks out there! Carly Pope looks very natural and comfortable in front of the camera. You can't help but like her in this role, even though the circumstances could have leant themselves to a touch of whine.
It is not overly smoochy or sloppy, so guys shouldn't squirm too much watching this "chick flick." It's light, frothy fun. The film itself is just lovely and its spirit and pace is recognizable to anyone who lives in or has visited New York City.
The leading cast are superb. I'd watch Christine Baranski and Bobby Cannavale in *anything* - even a traffic jam. I first saw Christine on Broadway - she is a brilliant actress, singer and dancer. Bobby came to my attention on "Third Watch" on TV. You may also remember him from his story arc on "Will & Grace." I admit, I've no idea who Carly Pope is, but she's a lovely young woman with an excellent delivery.
The story is bright and fun, with underlying emotional pinnings. J.J. Jenner (Pope) works at "Glow Manhattan" - a magazine for the most cool, most hip, most happening people of New York City. She has aspirations for more; has writing talent and the ability to discern every ingredient in any food she's served. J.J. is given the opportunity to become the magazine's food critic and is under a two-week, pre-Christmas deadline.
Enter Lee, J.J.'s mom, a gypsy (dancer) whom J.J. thinks is just having a short vacation from her job entertaining on a cruise ship. Little does she know that Mom is broke, homeless and desperate. There is a strained history between them since the death of J.J.'s father and Lee's husband 8 years before.
So Mom moves in, bag and baggage, and let the games begin! J.J. (who is named for Janis Joplin, btw) now has to deal with a tight deadline on her possible new promotion, the loss of her jerk boyfriend, Mom invading every part of her life (Oh, the pain! the pain!) and she's slowly unraveling.
Enter Alex (Cannavale), a chef and nascent restaurateur who is desperate for publicity for his restaurant. A chance meeting with J.J. is the start of an unholy alliance: Alex will distract Lee and get her out of J.J.'s hair in exchange for the possibility of a review in "Glow Manhattan" magazine.
This movie is wonderfully charming and lots of fun to watch. I didn't find myself watching the clock once, or flipping to other channels (well, OK, I did during the commercials). Christine Baranski can do no wrong in my book - I've never seen her turn in a lazy or inadequate performance. (Have you seen her "Mary Sunshine" in "Chicago?") Bobby Cannavale, besides being a wonderful actor, is about the nicest piece of eye candy around. He's an extremely intimate actor; meaning that he never seems to be aware of the camera's eye, but is enwrapped in the scene and the moment. What a joyous change from all the strutting peacocks out there! Carly Pope looks very natural and comfortable in front of the camera. You can't help but like her in this role, even though the circumstances could have leant themselves to a touch of whine.
It is not overly smoochy or sloppy, so guys shouldn't squirm too much watching this "chick flick." It's light, frothy fun. The film itself is just lovely and its spirit and pace is recognizable to anyone who lives in or has visited New York City.