Mary Horowitz (Sandra Bullock) is the crossword puzzle writer for the Sacramento newspaper. Brainy but reclusive, she is so driven to create good work that her life is consumed with writing and research. Not only that, she is now bunking with her parents, for her old apartment has to be "fumigated". Naturally, her parents want Mary to experience love, marriage, and children so they keep trying to get her out of the house. Setting her up with the son of close friends, Mary reluctantly agrees to go out with Steve (Bradley Cooper). But, oh joy! Steve is a looker and has an intriguing job as the cameraman for a cable news reporter, Hartman (Thomas Haden Church). Mary likes, likes, likes what she sees. But, since the puzzle-writer won't stop talking and makes heavy romantic advances, Steve gets spooked only minutes into their first date and he bolts, citing his need to get to a new work assignment. But, Mary is dizzy in love. She bumbles her next crossword duties, gets fired and, suddenly, decides to follow Steve to his current location, and the next one, too. Steve is horrified and tries to get rid of her but Hartman tells Mary, privately, that Steve is secretly happy she is there and that she should not get discouraged in her pursuit of love. Its a puzzlement! Will Mary get her heart's desire? In the world of romantic comedies, this one is an odd duck. It is interesting and has many good elements but doesn't achieve overall success. However, its weaknesses do not include the cast, for Bullock, Cooper, and especially Haden Church, are great. All of the supporting cast members are very fine, too. In fact, its the actors' skills that elevate the film beyond its script and tentative direction. Yes, it tries to make some good statements about individuality, media hype, and the like. But, it never totally succeeds in getting its points across with aplomb. On a lesser note, the costumes and sets are quite nice indeed. In short, if you love Bullock, Cooper, Haden Church or quirky movies, you might give this one a whirl. Sometimes an interesting "failure" is more fun than a slick but pointless flick.
206 Reviews
I was delighted and uplifted. Sandra Bullock has real charm and grace, and this movie brightly showcases that
bopdog27 September 2009
Reading some critics' reviews, and the online IMDb votes, I was expecting a really bad movie. I was shocked to find not only a NOT bad movie. and not only an "OK" movie, but what, for me, was a really great movie! Of course I am a solid Sandra Bullock fan. I thought this movie took some interesting elements (Thomas Hayden Church's characters, for example, are usually so smarmy and sleazy they are unpleasant to see, especially given that he is such a good actor, he pulls the worst out of his characters), and played them together very well.
Fortunately, we don't all admire or like the same things in the opposite sex. What many often cluck over in celebrity ladies often leaves me cold, feeling as if I had brushed up against a self-absorbed block of ice. Bullock's on-screen persona is always a warm, earthy, personable sort. Matey. Chummy. It's the films, of course, so her traits are artificially heightened, but I LIKE those kinds of women in the real world. From all that I hear and have seen over the years, Bullock seems to be the real deal--- her on-screen persona is not terribly far from her real life personality. Whatever... but the point is that she brings a loveliness and kindness to her roles that I enjoy.
The critics have been unfairly beating up on this movie, I think. Granted, it's a rom-com, and a bit silly, but if I wanted hard-core reality, or gritty tragedy, I'd watch the news, or "Schindler's List" or something. I'd stay home and stare at my friends, or in the mirror, for free. I want to be delighted and uplifted at the cinema, and this film did exactly that. Hurray for Sandra Bullock and the "All About Steve" production team!
Fortunately, we don't all admire or like the same things in the opposite sex. What many often cluck over in celebrity ladies often leaves me cold, feeling as if I had brushed up against a self-absorbed block of ice. Bullock's on-screen persona is always a warm, earthy, personable sort. Matey. Chummy. It's the films, of course, so her traits are artificially heightened, but I LIKE those kinds of women in the real world. From all that I hear and have seen over the years, Bullock seems to be the real deal--- her on-screen persona is not terribly far from her real life personality. Whatever... but the point is that she brings a loveliness and kindness to her roles that I enjoy.
The critics have been unfairly beating up on this movie, I think. Granted, it's a rom-com, and a bit silly, but if I wanted hard-core reality, or gritty tragedy, I'd watch the news, or "Schindler's List" or something. I'd stay home and stare at my friends, or in the mirror, for free. I want to be delighted and uplifted at the cinema, and this film did exactly that. Hurray for Sandra Bullock and the "All About Steve" production team!
All about Steve - Misunderstood???
alantero28 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Like so many other people that said this was the worst film of the year and worst film made by Sandra Bullock, I was inclined not to watch the movie. But being a Sandra Bullock fan, I was curious as to what made this film so bad.
To my surprise I thought that maybe, just maybe, the film was misunderstood just like the main character. Although there were times when I thought the quirkiness of the characters was ridiculous, I found myself looking more at Sandra's character Mary and saw some of my own son's quirks and eccentricities. Having a son with High Functioning Autism/Aspergers, I couldn't help but see the similarities. Sandra's character is brilliant, beautiful, hyper active, talkative, naive and above all socially challenged.
I loved how the movie ended with a message stating that "it's O.K. to be different".
So, as goofy as this film may be for some, to those who know family members or friends with unique characteristics and traits, might find this film to be worth viewing. It's all how you look at it.
To my surprise I thought that maybe, just maybe, the film was misunderstood just like the main character. Although there were times when I thought the quirkiness of the characters was ridiculous, I found myself looking more at Sandra's character Mary and saw some of my own son's quirks and eccentricities. Having a son with High Functioning Autism/Aspergers, I couldn't help but see the similarities. Sandra's character is brilliant, beautiful, hyper active, talkative, naive and above all socially challenged.
I loved how the movie ended with a message stating that "it's O.K. to be different".
So, as goofy as this film may be for some, to those who know family members or friends with unique characteristics and traits, might find this film to be worth viewing. It's all how you look at it.
The Woman With The Red Shoes
Chrysanthepop17 January 2010
'All about Steve' may not be a favourite for many but I found it to be laugh out loud hilarious. There are inconsistencies concerning the story, sometimes the film loses focus and the ending is a little choppy but for me it was the very funny dialogues and performances by the actors that made this film laughable. I also liked the characters. Sandra Bullock is easily one of the best actresses today even though she remains underrated. As annoying as her character Mary might be, there is something likable about her, an innocence and intelligence that made it impossible for me to dislike her. What Bullock excellently demonstrates is that Mary is a very brainy person but she is socially handicapped and consequently people don't give themselves the opportunity to see a lovable, kind and caring side of her personality. Bullock is further brilliantly supported by Bradley Cooper, Ken Jeong, Katey Mixon and Thomas Haden Church (this guy should be in more movies). 'All About Steve' is all about laughing. There were so many moments that had me laughing hysterically that I would suggest that one ought to just enjoy the film without expecting too much of anything else.
90 Minutes of My Life I Will Never Get Back!
cchires4 September 2009
First let preface that this movie was not my first choice to see tonight, but after The Hangover and The Proposal, I was cautiously optimistic Sandra Bullock and Bradley Coooper would carry this movie even if it was a lightweight premise. How wrong I was!
The movie goes wrong the second these two meet for their blind date and never looks back. The main reason I think I had such a disconnect with this movie is because the characters do not act like any living person on this planet. Furthermore, Sandra Bullock does not have a clear role to play: she's vacillates between being sophisticated and clueless, at all times when it's convenient for the plot. I don't know if I was supposed to sympathize with her or not, but the eventual effect was annoyance! It's not a good sign when you're hoping that they just leave her at the bottom of that well. Bradley Cooper basically just smiles throughout the movie.
The movie also can't decide what genre it wants to belong to. It tries to be a comedy, a drama of self discovery, a satire of cable news, and a natural disaster movie (whether it be tornado or abandoned well) and fails at all attempts. Let it be said that the tornado looks good and that's about the best thing I can say about this movie.
I think I laughed twice during the film, but I can't remember if it was related to what was on screen or my on disbelief that I was in this theater. Sadly, I would be willing to bet that a conversation with a real crossword puzzle designer for ninety minutes would be more fun than sitting through this mess!
The movie goes wrong the second these two meet for their blind date and never looks back. The main reason I think I had such a disconnect with this movie is because the characters do not act like any living person on this planet. Furthermore, Sandra Bullock does not have a clear role to play: she's vacillates between being sophisticated and clueless, at all times when it's convenient for the plot. I don't know if I was supposed to sympathize with her or not, but the eventual effect was annoyance! It's not a good sign when you're hoping that they just leave her at the bottom of that well. Bradley Cooper basically just smiles throughout the movie.
The movie also can't decide what genre it wants to belong to. It tries to be a comedy, a drama of self discovery, a satire of cable news, and a natural disaster movie (whether it be tornado or abandoned well) and fails at all attempts. Let it be said that the tornado looks good and that's about the best thing I can say about this movie.
I think I laughed twice during the film, but I can't remember if it was related to what was on screen or my on disbelief that I was in this theater. Sadly, I would be willing to bet that a conversation with a real crossword puzzle designer for ninety minutes would be more fun than sitting through this mess!
Come on Sandy, I know you can do better.
yellowbrickopera12 September 2009
I love Sandra Bullock. I think she's beautiful, hilarious, and thoroughly charming. Above all, I almost always think she has great instincts when it comes to choosing films. She's probably the reason I was willing to give All About Steve a chance. The trailer promised a quirky comedy, and even with the negative reviews, I thought that this film was right up my ally.
Unfortunately, I was dead wrong. The script was a mess, as if it was trying too hard to be irreverent and failing miserably. The character of Mary Horowitz probably read as a sweet if off-kilter heroine, but she came across as annoying and overbearing. This was perhaps the first time I found Sandra Bullock unlikable. Furthermore, there really wasn't a plot, so-to-speak. It ran like a jumble of unfortunate situations one moment and a media satire the next. Bradley Cooper made a charismatic male lead, but he wasn't given very much to work with, and the character of Steve ended up being little more than a foil for Mary to toy with.
If you're looking for an unusual comedy guaranteed to make you laugh, you're better off watching some other film. In the tradition of romantic comedies, the best parts of the film were shown in the trailer. It wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen, but it is simply not worth the $10.
Unfortunately, I was dead wrong. The script was a mess, as if it was trying too hard to be irreverent and failing miserably. The character of Mary Horowitz probably read as a sweet if off-kilter heroine, but she came across as annoying and overbearing. This was perhaps the first time I found Sandra Bullock unlikable. Furthermore, there really wasn't a plot, so-to-speak. It ran like a jumble of unfortunate situations one moment and a media satire the next. Bradley Cooper made a charismatic male lead, but he wasn't given very much to work with, and the character of Steve ended up being little more than a foil for Mary to toy with.
If you're looking for an unusual comedy guaranteed to make you laugh, you're better off watching some other film. In the tradition of romantic comedies, the best parts of the film were shown in the trailer. It wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen, but it is simply not worth the $10.
Say hello to Sandra Bullock's worst movie.
PWNYCNY7 September 2009
This movie takes the goal of appealing to the lowest common denominator to a new low. Okay, this is just a movie and so expectations should be adjusted accordingly, but even a Hollywood potboiler should contain at least a smattering of something that approximates intellectual content, something which this movie glaringly lacks. To watch Sandra Bullock acting and sounding like a dunce was pathetic. Surely she can do better than this. The story is so inane and unfunny that it is hard to imagine how anyone would have thought to make it into a movie. The story contains nothing that grabs or keeps audience interest. Ms. Bullock's costumes are ridiculous and the supporting cast do nothing to detract attention from her outlandishly poor performance. Thomas Haden Church provides what little relief there is from the unfunny mediocrity that permeates this movie but his efforts are too little to reverse the tide of banality.
No Doubt About It
boblipton7 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This review DOES contain spoilers, so if you haven't seen this movie yet, and finding out about it beforehand will upset your enjoyment, go see it and then come back. Or don't see it. A lot of people are unhappy with this flick and I believe I understand why.
One of the reasons this movie has been getting bad reviews is that it is being advertised as a romantic comedy, and it isn't one. You have Sandra Bullock, who has been in some very good romcoms, and two good-looking guys (including Thomas Haden Church who is always willing to mock his immobile good looks and deadpan delivery); the advertising campaign looks like a romantic comedy. What else can it be? Answer, it's a pure clown comedy, with a lead who starts out unlikeable, but goes on an inadvertent voyage of self-discovery. Its antecedents are not the romcoms you grew up on, but classic, flat out farces like Keaton's THE NAVIGATOR and Harold Lloyd's WHY WORRY? in which we start out disliking the hero heartily. In these movies, we wait for the comic to get kicked in the pants, because we don't like him..... but by the end of the movie, he has grown in wisdom and self-reliance, and we wish him well. Or, in this movie, her. It's a difficult balancing act and some people think Miss Bullock has fallen off the wire. Since she starts out as an unbearably smart motormouth to whom people are an utter mystery who winds up stalking Bradley Cooper, it's easy to write her off as insane and give up.
But I didn't and it took me about half the movie to realize what the film makers were doing. It's not something done often since movies learned to speak, and among female leads, I can only think of Katherine Hepburn in BRINGING UP BABY and, of course, Goldie Hawn's movies in which her characters break out of their molds and walk away as good people; although her most financially successful outing was probably PRIVATE BENJAMIN, she did something even more extreme than the transformation that Miss Bullock undergoes here in OVERBOARD. One of the problems that people may have with this movie is that this is so rarely done, and Miss Bullock has the courage needed to bring off a comedy: she isn't afraid to look stupid or foolish or dress in outfits that don't suit her or fall into a hole in the ground. So many actors are.
Miss Bullock doesn't change much here. She does become more self-aware as she talks endlessly about crossword puzzles, cicadas, hurricanes in Galveston and so on. The people she picks up on her voyage of self discovery are nerdy, not too bright, but quite willing to put up with her peculiarities because she will do as much for them; meanwhile Steve, Hartman and Angus, whom she pursues, make up a news team, and are busy worrying about how to get air time, usually by inserting themselves into news events as reporters, making themselves of interest when they have nothing much to offer. The actors do a good job, even when the roles are not well written or some key piece of celluloid seems to have wound up on the cutting room floor.
This is, by no means, a great movie, but it does have enough grace notes scattered throughout to have kept up my interest. If you sat down to watch it, I hope you will agree. If you read this despite the spoiler warning, perhaps you will give it a chance. I don't guarantee you will not be disappointed: Miss Bullock's character may strain your patience beyond recovery before the story turns around, but then again, you may have a very good time, as did I.
One of the reasons this movie has been getting bad reviews is that it is being advertised as a romantic comedy, and it isn't one. You have Sandra Bullock, who has been in some very good romcoms, and two good-looking guys (including Thomas Haden Church who is always willing to mock his immobile good looks and deadpan delivery); the advertising campaign looks like a romantic comedy. What else can it be? Answer, it's a pure clown comedy, with a lead who starts out unlikeable, but goes on an inadvertent voyage of self-discovery. Its antecedents are not the romcoms you grew up on, but classic, flat out farces like Keaton's THE NAVIGATOR and Harold Lloyd's WHY WORRY? in which we start out disliking the hero heartily. In these movies, we wait for the comic to get kicked in the pants, because we don't like him..... but by the end of the movie, he has grown in wisdom and self-reliance, and we wish him well. Or, in this movie, her. It's a difficult balancing act and some people think Miss Bullock has fallen off the wire. Since she starts out as an unbearably smart motormouth to whom people are an utter mystery who winds up stalking Bradley Cooper, it's easy to write her off as insane and give up.
But I didn't and it took me about half the movie to realize what the film makers were doing. It's not something done often since movies learned to speak, and among female leads, I can only think of Katherine Hepburn in BRINGING UP BABY and, of course, Goldie Hawn's movies in which her characters break out of their molds and walk away as good people; although her most financially successful outing was probably PRIVATE BENJAMIN, she did something even more extreme than the transformation that Miss Bullock undergoes here in OVERBOARD. One of the problems that people may have with this movie is that this is so rarely done, and Miss Bullock has the courage needed to bring off a comedy: she isn't afraid to look stupid or foolish or dress in outfits that don't suit her or fall into a hole in the ground. So many actors are.
Miss Bullock doesn't change much here. She does become more self-aware as she talks endlessly about crossword puzzles, cicadas, hurricanes in Galveston and so on. The people she picks up on her voyage of self discovery are nerdy, not too bright, but quite willing to put up with her peculiarities because she will do as much for them; meanwhile Steve, Hartman and Angus, whom she pursues, make up a news team, and are busy worrying about how to get air time, usually by inserting themselves into news events as reporters, making themselves of interest when they have nothing much to offer. The actors do a good job, even when the roles are not well written or some key piece of celluloid seems to have wound up on the cutting room floor.
This is, by no means, a great movie, but it does have enough grace notes scattered throughout to have kept up my interest. If you sat down to watch it, I hope you will agree. If you read this despite the spoiler warning, perhaps you will give it a chance. I don't guarantee you will not be disappointed: Miss Bullock's character may strain your patience beyond recovery before the story turns around, but then again, you may have a very good time, as did I.
All About Stupidity
mathimagical20 September 2009
The film shows that some people in Hollywood do not understand the distinction between IQ and wisdom. Sandra Bullock plays a person with an intellectual IQ at one end of the scale and a social IQ at the other end. We are supposed to believe that this is the cause of her problem, when in reality it is her shallowness. Her shallowness (and concomitant lack of character) makes the whole film ring so false that at the end of the movie one cannot even decipher what the meaning of the film was. Was it that being different is OK? If that is the case, then the film was a horrible failure. Or perhaps it was supposed to be that one should follow one's heart and dreams. Well now, that wouldn't be a bad message if the dream was based upon something *real* rather than the product of some delusion or if the goal was something noble and meaningful. But alas, it is not, and just as Bullock's character in the movie runs into a sink hole the size of Texas without even noticing it, the plot of "All About Steve" also descends just as unbelievably into a contrived mess of improbable people, situations, and logic. If you want to truly test how much of a Sandra Bullock fan you are, I dare you to watch this movie.
You know what I really like this...
Deathkneeler11 December 2009
I really don't know what everybody was expecting when they went to see this movie. I expected a good date movie and a fun watch. Instead I got a light hearted movie about a woman who is like the rest of us, normal in our own world but crazy to everybody else.
I really enjoyed this movie, I thought the acting was good and the plot was decent. It is a very enjoyable watch and if it is one I would advise you to see it. It has a very good core value to it. That one person kinda different or not can make a change in one persons life. I have a friend who is like this and it makes me only appreciate her personality even more, I like her the way she is..
Don't listen to everybody else, see this movie yourself, and give it a chance. You might like it.
I really enjoyed this movie, I thought the acting was good and the plot was decent. It is a very enjoyable watch and if it is one I would advise you to see it. It has a very good core value to it. That one person kinda different or not can make a change in one persons life. I have a friend who is like this and it makes me only appreciate her personality even more, I like her the way she is..
Don't listen to everybody else, see this movie yourself, and give it a chance. You might like it.
Bullock's latest plumbs new depths of awfulness
laurencetuccori5 September 2009
Until this afternoon I've been so hot for Sandra Bullock I'd drive fifty miles to watch a silent movie of her ironing bedsheets. But having just sat through her latest movie ALL ABOUT STEVE I've downsized that maximum distance to ten feet (and she'd have to be ironing underwear).
ALL ABOUT STEVE seriously challenges "Miss Congeniality 2" for the title of worst Sandra Bullock film ever. This alleged rom-com is a witless, lame ragbag of slapdash clichés devoid of originality, humour or entertainment value. Ms Bullock has built her career playing lovable klutzy outsiders who overcome all manner of (usually) self-induced adversities to triumph personally and professionally. In the best of these ("Two Weeks Notice", "Miss Congeniality") her social ineptness has been endearing and often adorable but here it's just plain disturbing.
Her character, Mary Horowitz, is unintentionally borderline autistic. She's very intelligent but totally clueless when it comes to developing personal relationships or appreciating how her obsession with her job (she creates crosswords for a small Sacramento newspaper) appears to others. At one point she actually jots down her editor's advice to "be normal" as if that's the only way she's going to remember it. When she develops a fixation with TV news channel cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper) after a disastrous blind date and starts following him across country from one assignment to the next the effect is scary. Mary (who constantly refers to herself in the third person) is more stalker than smitten, and completely unconvincing to boot.
Bullock fails to imbue Mary with even an ounce of credibility as a character, settling instead for a weird mix of childlike innocence, demented schoolgirl and overage virgin. Imagine watching someone with no concept of the meaning of the phrase "to act" being instructed to act. To be fair to Ms Bullock her performance is no worse than the script or Phil Traill's direction, both of which tarnish the description pedestrian with their lazy lack of effort and imagination.
Rom-coms don't make any claim to be realistic nor do audiences expect the story that unfolds to be completely plausible or even likely. But it would be nice to be offered the possibility that it might happen. A token gesture in the direction of believability rarely harms an audience's ability to enjoy. For example, showing or perhaps simply suggesting that the CNN-style cable news channel Steve works for employs more than one cameraman and reporter rather than having him and egotistical journo Hartman Hughes (Thomas Haden Church) as the sole team dashing from one breaking story to the next across vast distances apparently at the speed of light.
As star and producer of ALL ABOUT STEVE my beloved Sandy has only herself to blame for this execrable mess. What was she thinking?! Was she thinking? If ever there was an argument for installing a fast forward button in the arm of each cinema seat this film is it. It's ninety six minutes of my life that I'll never recover.
Do her and yourself a huge favour and remember her as she was, and not what she's become.
ALL ABOUT STEVE seriously challenges "Miss Congeniality 2" for the title of worst Sandra Bullock film ever. This alleged rom-com is a witless, lame ragbag of slapdash clichés devoid of originality, humour or entertainment value. Ms Bullock has built her career playing lovable klutzy outsiders who overcome all manner of (usually) self-induced adversities to triumph personally and professionally. In the best of these ("Two Weeks Notice", "Miss Congeniality") her social ineptness has been endearing and often adorable but here it's just plain disturbing.
Her character, Mary Horowitz, is unintentionally borderline autistic. She's very intelligent but totally clueless when it comes to developing personal relationships or appreciating how her obsession with her job (she creates crosswords for a small Sacramento newspaper) appears to others. At one point she actually jots down her editor's advice to "be normal" as if that's the only way she's going to remember it. When she develops a fixation with TV news channel cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper) after a disastrous blind date and starts following him across country from one assignment to the next the effect is scary. Mary (who constantly refers to herself in the third person) is more stalker than smitten, and completely unconvincing to boot.
Bullock fails to imbue Mary with even an ounce of credibility as a character, settling instead for a weird mix of childlike innocence, demented schoolgirl and overage virgin. Imagine watching someone with no concept of the meaning of the phrase "to act" being instructed to act. To be fair to Ms Bullock her performance is no worse than the script or Phil Traill's direction, both of which tarnish the description pedestrian with their lazy lack of effort and imagination.
Rom-coms don't make any claim to be realistic nor do audiences expect the story that unfolds to be completely plausible or even likely. But it would be nice to be offered the possibility that it might happen. A token gesture in the direction of believability rarely harms an audience's ability to enjoy. For example, showing or perhaps simply suggesting that the CNN-style cable news channel Steve works for employs more than one cameraman and reporter rather than having him and egotistical journo Hartman Hughes (Thomas Haden Church) as the sole team dashing from one breaking story to the next across vast distances apparently at the speed of light.
As star and producer of ALL ABOUT STEVE my beloved Sandy has only herself to blame for this execrable mess. What was she thinking?! Was she thinking? If ever there was an argument for installing a fast forward button in the arm of each cinema seat this film is it. It's ninety six minutes of my life that I'll never recover.
Do her and yourself a huge favour and remember her as she was, and not what she's become.
Count me as another who enjoyed this film
imdb-76602 July 2010
I watch a lot of movies, though not when first run at theaters -- generally I'll wait until the DVD price falls. This is why I only now getting around to viewing this film that "won" Sandra Bullock her Razzie.
And I believe that the Razzie voters were mistaken. I feel that Bullock did a nice job of playing a quirky, annoying person. Surely there were plenty of performances far more deserving of this award.
Although the character could be annoying, she still seemed like someone that would also be good to have as a friend, particularly as she evolved by the end of the movie. I think that it would not be a stretch to compare Mary to PeeWee Herman in "PeeWee's Big Adventure."
It was a nice cast and I felt that all of the actors really did fine work in this fun little comedy and will be viewing it again.
And I believe that the Razzie voters were mistaken. I feel that Bullock did a nice job of playing a quirky, annoying person. Surely there were plenty of performances far more deserving of this award.
Although the character could be annoying, she still seemed like someone that would also be good to have as a friend, particularly as she evolved by the end of the movie. I think that it would not be a stretch to compare Mary to PeeWee Herman in "PeeWee's Big Adventure."
It was a nice cast and I felt that all of the actors really did fine work in this fun little comedy and will be viewing it again.
Romantic Comedy, Well Not Really, But A Comedy Nonetheless
Jakemcclake8 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers Comedy is the unexpected and there was no way to expect the sudden twists and turns of this movie. Some of these unexpected things can put off the viewer, however. The first time Mary (Sandra Bullock) meets Steve (Bradley Cooper) she has such a need to sleep with him, she jumps right on him. Then many more unexpected things happen. The most unexpected thing is when all of the character suddenly move to a happy ending at the end. For example, Steve has a total turnaround regarding Mary, that comes out of nowhere. At the same time Mary has an epiphany regarding herself, which turns her around. She also has an epiphany regarding Steve, that causes the movie to move away from the standard Rom-Com ending into a more realistic ending.
But we hear loud and almost endless cheering for Mary and everyone winds up happy at the end.
This movie is worth a view just for the things that I did not mention that will come out if nowhere during the movie and probably make you laugh.
However, the message of the movie that - all people, no matter how they act, have worth - could get lost in the comedy and cheering.
But we hear loud and almost endless cheering for Mary and everyone winds up happy at the end.
This movie is worth a view just for the things that I did not mention that will come out if nowhere during the movie and probably make you laugh.
However, the message of the movie that - all people, no matter how they act, have worth - could get lost in the comedy and cheering.
Stalking Steve
dierregi11 March 2012
Being a Bullock's fan I decided to watch this movie on TV, despite the fact I knew she was assigned a Razzie for it. Turns out, it was well deserved.
Even if a comedy should not necessarily offer a realistic picture of the world we live in, it should at least be funny. Fun is in fact what comedies are for, despite – or thanks to – their surrealism.
In this respect, "All about Steve" is a complete flop, because it is completely unfunny. Bullock plays Mary, a dizzy crossword puzzler who meets the Steve of the title in a blind date and fells for him on the spot, trying to "rape" him in his car five minutes after they met.Steve is a cameraman for a news network and he is more than happy to run away from the disastrous "date rape" on an alleged assignment. The following day, Mary produces a crossword puzzle "all about Steve", gets fired and starts stalking Steve, convinced he is her true love because they spent ten minutes together.
After having pursued Steve across the US, Mary manages to get close to him during a reportage, but fells in a hidden mine shaft. A lengthy rescue wraps up the movie, as a totally incongruous third act. Happy ending of some sort ensues. The end. Not a single laugh throughout the whole running time.
In real life, anybody should rightly get seriously scared by being relentless stalked by somebody they met for a very short time. This is clearly not a comic situation. Even in an alleged comedy, where Mary is supposed to be an OTT eccentric who talks too much, but with some endearing qualities. Unfortunately, the Mary played by Bullock comes across as sex-starved, insufferable chatterbox with behavioural problems.
People like Mary are not funny; they might elicit fear, compassion or irritation, but hardly hilarity. Yet, for unknown reasons, we are supposed to like her and her stalking, perhaps in the name of the abused practice of "embracing odd characters and their eccentricities". Odd characters have been done much better many times before.
The rest of the cast is almost equally insufferable; special mention goes to the oddball guy who carves apples into little sculptures, which resemble the shrunken, dehydrated heads of enemies some Amazon tribes like to collect.
Even if a comedy should not necessarily offer a realistic picture of the world we live in, it should at least be funny. Fun is in fact what comedies are for, despite – or thanks to – their surrealism.
In this respect, "All about Steve" is a complete flop, because it is completely unfunny. Bullock plays Mary, a dizzy crossword puzzler who meets the Steve of the title in a blind date and fells for him on the spot, trying to "rape" him in his car five minutes after they met.Steve is a cameraman for a news network and he is more than happy to run away from the disastrous "date rape" on an alleged assignment. The following day, Mary produces a crossword puzzle "all about Steve", gets fired and starts stalking Steve, convinced he is her true love because they spent ten minutes together.
After having pursued Steve across the US, Mary manages to get close to him during a reportage, but fells in a hidden mine shaft. A lengthy rescue wraps up the movie, as a totally incongruous third act. Happy ending of some sort ensues. The end. Not a single laugh throughout the whole running time.
In real life, anybody should rightly get seriously scared by being relentless stalked by somebody they met for a very short time. This is clearly not a comic situation. Even in an alleged comedy, where Mary is supposed to be an OTT eccentric who talks too much, but with some endearing qualities. Unfortunately, the Mary played by Bullock comes across as sex-starved, insufferable chatterbox with behavioural problems.
People like Mary are not funny; they might elicit fear, compassion or irritation, but hardly hilarity. Yet, for unknown reasons, we are supposed to like her and her stalking, perhaps in the name of the abused practice of "embracing odd characters and their eccentricities". Odd characters have been done much better many times before.
The rest of the cast is almost equally insufferable; special mention goes to the oddball guy who carves apples into little sculptures, which resemble the shrunken, dehydrated heads of enemies some Amazon tribes like to collect.
I liked Mary, red boots and all!
dtucker8618 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This movie has been taking a major beating from both critics and moviegoers alike. Some have said its Sandra Bullock's lowest moment since Speed 2 (man that is pretty low). I want to come to her defense, first of all Sandra Bullock is an excellent actress who is adept at both comedy and drama, she has proved that in multiples. She is so wonderful at playing lovable characters you roots for like Annie in Speed. She plays a nice person on screen and according to all accounts she is like that in real life as well. When we first meet her character Mary, it is obvious that she isn't like others and marches to the beat of a different drummer. She is a cruciverbalist (a creator of crossword puzzles). At least I learned a new word watching this film! She is good at what she does, but is basically a lonely woman who lives with her parents because her eccentricities turn some people off. I hated that scene where those children mock her. I really thought Mary was a good person at heart and people needed to give her a chance. There is a message in this film so many don't get. Just because you are different doesn't mean your bad and don't deserve to be loved by others. A film with a message is one that we should all heed. Bullock gives as fine a performance here as she does in any film. SPOILER ALERT I love how in the end of the film, Mary redeems herself by saving that little girl in the mine shaft, it reminded me of the Jessica McClure incident. Steve is creeped out by her but in the end, even he praises her basic goodness. I love how in the end after she is rescued, Mary is embraced and loved by the great crowd of people outside the mine shaft holding signs that say they love her. A film with an important message we ALL need to heed, a film with a lovable character that we all root for and a wonderful ending that will leave you with a possible tear in your eye. Hmmmm does that sound like a bad film to you. To paraphrase Richard Nixon, let me make this perfectly clear that Sandra Bullock has nothing to be ashamed about. I proudly come to this film and to her personal defense. So there.
Painful To Watch
Pink_Floyd_Fan_9528 August 2018
Well, that's an hour and a half of my life I'll never get back. While I don't let a critic's poor review determine whether or not I see a movie, I wish I had done so in this case. This film was just painful to watch. Sandra Bullock's performance was a career low. Every scene of the full-blown Mary Horowitz persona was just outright irritating, unrelateable and far from comedic. Bullock's Razzie Award for worst performance was well deserved.
As funny as a three-legged baby, there are lots of cross words in this Bullock dud
gregeichelberger2 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Following the proud tradition of such terrible 2009 comedies as "Observe & Report," "Year One," "I Love You, Beth Cooper," "The Goods" and "Post Grad," this newest misadventure by first-time director Phil Traill may just lower the bar for others to come.
Sandra Bullock stars as Mary Horowitz, an idiot savant - without the savant - crossword puzzle creator for a local Sacramento newspaper who decides - for some bizarre reason - to stalk a blind date, Steve (Bradley Cooper, "Wedding Crashers," "The Hangover"), a cable news channel cameraman.
Her obsession with him begins immediately, and a decidedly creepy early scene takes place in his SUV as the demented Mary practically dates rapes him even before the date begins! Realizing that she is a few sandwiches shy of a picnic, Steve boots her out and takes a powder to his next breaking news assignment - in Arizona.
Joining him is his producer, Angus (Ken Jeong, "The Hangover," "The Goods") and on-air talent, reporter Hartman Hughes (Thomas Hayden Church, an Oscar nominee for "Sideways"). Meanwhile, Mary has turned in a crossword puzzle entitled "All Above Steve" and, of course, loses her job. She now goes on a cross country trek to catch the elusive Steve, who travels from Arizona to Oklahoma to Colorado to Texas.
In Oklahoma - where the big story is two parents suing for custody of a baby born with a third leg (the mother wants to have it amputated, the father doesn't - oh who cares?!), Mary comes close to killing her victim and then runs into a couple of characters almost as depressingly idiotic as she is, the inbred cracker, Elizabeth (Katy Mixon, "State Of Play"), and the goofy, apple-carving Howard (the 48-pound D.J. Qualls).
The troupe then follows the news crew to Texas to cover a hurricane and and a badly-CGIed tornado before heading off to Colorado where a group of deaf children fall hundreds of feet into an abandoned mine shaft (real funny, so far). In an attempt to reach Steve, however, Mary takes a plunge into the hole herself, causing the entire nation to focus on HER rescue attempt.
I don't know why, though. There's nothing about this Mary that is even remotely interesting. In fact, Bullock portrays her as as a female "Rain Man," walking around (in clunky red boots) in a kind of catatonic daze and spouting so much useless information it's a wonder someone didn't stuff her into a dumpster years before.
Not only does she bore everyone in the movie to death with her useless bits of information, but the audience, as well. On top of that, she stupefies us with reels of unnecessary narration, too.
Add this to the fact that there was just ONE solid laugh in this movie -for me, anyway, and that the picture was in the can for almost two years, and you easily have one of the worst comedies of The Year of the Unfunny. And it's films like this make me long for the lucid, intelligent, well-thought-out humor of Mike Myers' "Love Guru."
Sandra Bullock stars as Mary Horowitz, an idiot savant - without the savant - crossword puzzle creator for a local Sacramento newspaper who decides - for some bizarre reason - to stalk a blind date, Steve (Bradley Cooper, "Wedding Crashers," "The Hangover"), a cable news channel cameraman.
Her obsession with him begins immediately, and a decidedly creepy early scene takes place in his SUV as the demented Mary practically dates rapes him even before the date begins! Realizing that she is a few sandwiches shy of a picnic, Steve boots her out and takes a powder to his next breaking news assignment - in Arizona.
Joining him is his producer, Angus (Ken Jeong, "The Hangover," "The Goods") and on-air talent, reporter Hartman Hughes (Thomas Hayden Church, an Oscar nominee for "Sideways"). Meanwhile, Mary has turned in a crossword puzzle entitled "All Above Steve" and, of course, loses her job. She now goes on a cross country trek to catch the elusive Steve, who travels from Arizona to Oklahoma to Colorado to Texas.
In Oklahoma - where the big story is two parents suing for custody of a baby born with a third leg (the mother wants to have it amputated, the father doesn't - oh who cares?!), Mary comes close to killing her victim and then runs into a couple of characters almost as depressingly idiotic as she is, the inbred cracker, Elizabeth (Katy Mixon, "State Of Play"), and the goofy, apple-carving Howard (the 48-pound D.J. Qualls).
The troupe then follows the news crew to Texas to cover a hurricane and and a badly-CGIed tornado before heading off to Colorado where a group of deaf children fall hundreds of feet into an abandoned mine shaft (real funny, so far). In an attempt to reach Steve, however, Mary takes a plunge into the hole herself, causing the entire nation to focus on HER rescue attempt.
I don't know why, though. There's nothing about this Mary that is even remotely interesting. In fact, Bullock portrays her as as a female "Rain Man," walking around (in clunky red boots) in a kind of catatonic daze and spouting so much useless information it's a wonder someone didn't stuff her into a dumpster years before.
Not only does she bore everyone in the movie to death with her useless bits of information, but the audience, as well. On top of that, she stupefies us with reels of unnecessary narration, too.
Add this to the fact that there was just ONE solid laugh in this movie -for me, anyway, and that the picture was in the can for almost two years, and you easily have one of the worst comedies of The Year of the Unfunny. And it's films like this make me long for the lucid, intelligent, well-thought-out humor of Mike Myers' "Love Guru."
'Quirky' Not Funny
deepfrieddodo17 October 2021
Whilst not particularly doing anything wrong, All About Steve doesn't really have any positive points either. A quirky comedy, with very little in the way of actual laughs, Bullock plays her character well, it's just that the character, whilst novel, isn't all that engaging. The wider cast again all play their parts well, but everything is rather bland. It's fine to sit through, but fairly forgettable.
Great satire of TV News
cubbyphil698 September 2009
I went in to the theater for the eye candy (Sandra Bullock), and came out laughing at the great job of parody they did on my former area of employment (TV News). And they do a nice revision of the main plot of "The Big Carnival" by Kirk Douglas - not a comedy - about an unscrupulous journalist (is there any other kind...) who tries to milk every drop from a man-trapped-in-cave story to jump-start his career. Sandra does a fine job of portraying her character realistically, as much realism as you can expect in a comedy/satire. This is what they used to call "screwball comedies" back in the black-and-white film era, except that the male actor always had talent. I haven't seen any evidence yet that Bradley Cooper gets work for any reason except being cute; no problem, talent will not be required from him for another ten to fifteen years. Thomas Hayden Church, as usual, nails the self-absorbed pompous airhead character they always have him play. That's OK, if you're good at only one thing and can make a career of it, at least he's a step ahead of Bradley. My main disappointment was that the apple-head sculpture website they mention for one character doesn't exist. You type in the domain name, and it takes you to the movie website. I wanted apple-heads, doggonnit! Oh, and they didn't put Katie Mixon to nearly enough use, what a waste of......TALENT! This one is a keeper on my Sandra Bullock DVD shelf.
More sad than funny
SnoopyStyle28 September 2013
Is she supposed to be autistic? Are we supposed to laugh at her? That's the big problem with this movie. She's unbearable, and sad. Most of it is humiliating.
Mary Horowitz (Sandra Bullock) creates crossword puzzles for the Sacramento Herald. She's an eccentric mess unable to connect with other people. She's set up with TV news cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper) by her parents. While she falls head over heels for her, he can't run away fast enough as he's call to the next news story. She chases him all across the country.
The last section does have a little bit of fun. She finally does a few things right. But it's way too late to save this movie. It's really sad to see Sandra Bullock flail away for so few laughs.
Mary Horowitz (Sandra Bullock) creates crossword puzzles for the Sacramento Herald. She's an eccentric mess unable to connect with other people. She's set up with TV news cameraman Steve (Bradley Cooper) by her parents. While she falls head over heels for her, he can't run away fast enough as he's call to the next news story. She chases him all across the country.
The last section does have a little bit of fun. She finally does a few things right. But it's way too late to save this movie. It's really sad to see Sandra Bullock flail away for so few laughs.
Stranger Than Steve
editor-5305 September 2009
My wife and I enjoy Sandra Bullock, and I left the movie, "All About Steve" impressed with the growth of her as an artist. I understood the character that she played, Mary Horowitz, who is socially inept, yet brilliant with words and information. In one sense her character reminded me of Temperance "Bones" Brennan of the TV show, "Bones," who is clueless about how people think of her.
So for the character, Mary, to jump Steve (Bradley Cooper) on their first date, and to stalk him with the misguided idea that he wants her to follow her, was believable to me since I have met people like that. Sandra Bullock took on a character that was innocent in her social stupidity, yet made her almost believable in her irritating behavior. I say, "almost," because she is still quite beautiful and likable. But she is no Johnny Depp yet when it comes to character acting.
We found the movie funny and quirky. I felt that they had a good ensemble cast, even though, Sandra Bullock was the center of the story. I don't believe it will ever be hugely popular though. It had the same unusual character as Will Ferrall and Emma Thompson in "Stranger Than Fiction," although no where as sophisticated as that little masterpiece.
If you like quirky comedy, this is a good movie to watch.
So for the character, Mary, to jump Steve (Bradley Cooper) on their first date, and to stalk him with the misguided idea that he wants her to follow her, was believable to me since I have met people like that. Sandra Bullock took on a character that was innocent in her social stupidity, yet made her almost believable in her irritating behavior. I say, "almost," because she is still quite beautiful and likable. But she is no Johnny Depp yet when it comes to character acting.
We found the movie funny and quirky. I felt that they had a good ensemble cast, even though, Sandra Bullock was the center of the story. I don't believe it will ever be hugely popular though. It had the same unusual character as Will Ferrall and Emma Thompson in "Stranger Than Fiction," although no where as sophisticated as that little masterpiece.
If you like quirky comedy, this is a good movie to watch.
This movie is an example of time well wasted.
DarkVulcan2921 September 2009
All About Steve is a close third running for worst movie of 2009, there is nothing funny or endearing here. Sandra Bullock has had her share of highs and lows, and All About Steve is definitely one of the lows.
The story begins with Mary(Sandra Bullock) a very excitingly perky woman. Who is set up on a blind date with Steve(Bradley Cooper), after the date goes very short. Steve is camera man for a news man named Hartman(Thomas Haden Church) and has too go out of town for a news event. Mary believing that he is destiny, she travels to where he is to be with him.
Sandra Bullocks character was so not funny, it was more depressing, and unwatchable, and Sandra Bullock has always been watchable even if the movie is bad, but not this time. Bradley Coopers character was so under written, and not to mention under played, and I wonder are his 15 minutes of fame about up. Now Thomas Haden Church and Ken Jeong(last seen in The Hangover with Bradley Cooper) are pretty much the only lively ones in this film, why couldn't it be more about them instead. Like I said it was time well wasted.
The story begins with Mary(Sandra Bullock) a very excitingly perky woman. Who is set up on a blind date with Steve(Bradley Cooper), after the date goes very short. Steve is camera man for a news man named Hartman(Thomas Haden Church) and has too go out of town for a news event. Mary believing that he is destiny, she travels to where he is to be with him.
Sandra Bullocks character was so not funny, it was more depressing, and unwatchable, and Sandra Bullock has always been watchable even if the movie is bad, but not this time. Bradley Coopers character was so under written, and not to mention under played, and I wonder are his 15 minutes of fame about up. Now Thomas Haden Church and Ken Jeong(last seen in The Hangover with Bradley Cooper) are pretty much the only lively ones in this film, why couldn't it be more about them instead. Like I said it was time well wasted.
Ended up loving this movie to bits. It takes a good person to appreciate the main character's quirks
cute_brielle3 August 2015
I truly appreciated this film. I appreciated enough to want to really thank the director and the writers for making this film. Being an INFP (myers-briggs) it spoke to me so much. Although I'm kind of sure she's somewhat an ENFP. I really really liked this film. Not gonna lie I shed a lot of tears during the ending.
I really did not expect to like this film so much. I feel like some viewers might not be able to sit through the first part as I also thought she was a little overboard but the occasional comedic bits were funny enough to keep you watching. I certainly laughed out loud a lot. Good thing I was alone at home while I watched haha
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Also I just really have to say it's a bummer this movie got a raspberry award. Because this movie is kind of like those that are so different from you, that because it's a truth for other people you just gotta appreciate it for what it is.
This movie was a truth for me. Although I'm not as overboard as Mary, I see her as someone unique with a special type of enthusiasm. It takes a good person to appreciate her quirks.
I started off unsure about liking this movie, I ended up loving it to bits.
I really did not expect to like this film so much. I feel like some viewers might not be able to sit through the first part as I also thought she was a little overboard but the occasional comedic bits were funny enough to keep you watching. I certainly laughed out loud a lot. Good thing I was alone at home while I watched haha
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Also I just really have to say it's a bummer this movie got a raspberry award. Because this movie is kind of like those that are so different from you, that because it's a truth for other people you just gotta appreciate it for what it is.
This movie was a truth for me. Although I'm not as overboard as Mary, I see her as someone unique with a special type of enthusiasm. It takes a good person to appreciate her quirks.
I started off unsure about liking this movie, I ended up loving it to bits.
Very enjoyable movie
nancy454 September 2009
Well, I see that this movie isn't getting good reviews from everyone. But I love going to movies every Friday, and I figured with Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper, this movie couldn't be all that bad. I went to the first showing of the day and found a packed theater. If you enjoy a romantic comedy or just a comedy, you will enjoy this movie. No, it's not spectacular, and no, it won't win any Oscars, but it has plenty of laughs and fun moments. Sandra Bullock plays Mary, a crossword puzzle writer who claims to have her own apartment but actually still lives with her parents. She talks non-stop and is a walking encyclopedia. Her parents have fixed her up on a blind date, which she expects to be with a loser, but guess who shows up - Bradley Cooper, who plays Steve, a TV cameraman. She makes a poor impression on him before his car even leaves the front of her house, but she mis-interprets his feelings and begins following him around on his assignments. It's pretty much prat-fall comedy. Just light-hearted movie. I could tell that everyone else in the theater was enjoying it too, and we all left in a good mood. It's not really a "chick" movie - there is plenty for the men to enjoy too. So if you want some pretty simple but fun entertainment, this is a good movie to see. I'm glad I ignored the one review that was here before mine and went to see this movie anyway.
What was she thinking?
redeyedtree11 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I love Sandra Bullock. The Blind Side. The Net. 28 Days. Miss Congeniality 1 and maybe even 2. Speed 1 and 2. The Proposal. The Lake House. Okay, you get the point... I am a Bullock fan. I am not an overly enthusiastic Bradley Cooper fan but I did like him in A-Team and with eyes like those who really cares whether he can act or not. Thomas Haden Church has a distinct face that lends itself to certain characters. For quirkiness I loved him in George of the Jungle; I am looking forward to watching We Bought a Zoo. As a puzzler who loves words I try never to be too far away from a dictionary. I always rely on IMDb to keep me up-to-date about new movies and it sufficiently piqued my curiosity regarding All About Steve. I thought maybe Sandra Bullock could make the traditionally nerdy puzzler seem cool, maybe even fun and exciting. This could have been a unique romcom but the script was ridiculous and sad to say... I felt no real chemistry between Bullock, Cooper or Church. I would like to see this movie remade with a better script and I think that would enable these guys to have dynamite on screen chemistry.
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