Monster-in-Law
| Monster-in-Law | |
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 Promotional poster |
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| Directed by | Robert Luketic |
| Produced by | Chris Bender J.C. Spink Paula Weinstein |
| Written by | Anya Kockoff |
| Starring | Jennifer Lopez Jane Fonda Michael Vartan Wanda Sykes Monet Mazur Elaine Stritch |
| Music by | David Newman Rosey |
| Cinematography | Russell Carpenter |
| Editing by | Scott Hill Kevin Tent |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
| Release date(s) | May 13, 2005 |
| Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $43 million |
| Box office | $154,749,918 |
Monster-in-Law is a 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and starring Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan and Wanda Sykes. It marks a return to cinema for Fonda, being her first film in 15 years after Stanley & Iris. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by David Newman. The film was negatively received by critics but was a box office success.
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[edit] Plot Summary
Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) has finally found the one. Or has she? After Charlie and Kevin became engaged, Charlie's soon-to-be mother in law, Viola (Jane Fonda) sets out to destroy their relationship but realizes that Charlie won't go down without a fight.
[edit] Plot
Charlie Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez) is a temp from Venice Beach, California, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by Michael Vartan). She thinks he's gay at first, based on a lie Fiona (Kevin's ex-girlfriend) told her. But then Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.
Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda). Viola is a former newscaster who has recently been replaced by someone younger, and is in the midst of a meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, Viola becomes even more distraught when Kevin proposes to Charlie. Fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she sets out to destroy Kevin and Charlie's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (Wanda Sykes) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away.
Charlie eventually catches on to Viola's plan and fights back. On the wedding day, Viola turns up wearing a white dress instead of the dress specially made for her by Charlie. Then, suddenly, Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Kevin's grandmother, Gertrude (Elaine Stritch), appears and they have an argument. Gertrude's resentment of Viola bears a very strong resemblance to Viola's feelings toward Charlie. She even claimed that her son, Kevin's father, who had, apparently died years ago, died of "terminal disappointment", for which Gerturde holds Viola responsible. Charlie decides to back down as she witnesses Gertrude and Viola's relationship. "Nothing's going to change," she laments to Viola after Gertrude leaves the room, "In thirty years that will be us."
Charlie exits to tell Kevin that the wedding is off. Ruby enters and talks with Viola. Viola is miffed that Charlie compared her to Gertrude; although Ruby points out that Viola is actually far worse than Gertrude; as she doesn't ever recall Gertrude trying to poison Viola once. Ruby points out that Viola's efforts against Charlie, to make Kevin happy, are unwarranted. "Whatever made you think he wasn't?" is her final point. Viola has an epiphany and realizes that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile which ends the feud. Charlie then explains to Viola that she wants her to stay too. On one condition: if Viola accepts the boundaries Charlie needs, if she is present at any family event, and if she treats her children with love.
Charlie and Kevin then get married and when Charlie throws her wedding bouquet, Viola catches the flowers. As Charlie and Kevin drive away to their honeymoon, the film ends as Viola and Ruby walk out of the celebration.
[edit] Cast
- Jennifer Lopez as Charlotte Cantilini
- Michael Vartan as Dr. Kevin Fields, a surgeon
- Jane Fonda as Viola Fields
- Wanda Sykes as Ruby
- Adam Scott as Remy
- Monet Mazur as Fiona
- Annie Parisse as Morgan
- Will Arnett as Kit
- Elaine Stritch as Gertrude Fields, Kevin's grandmother, Viola's mother-in-law with whom Viola butts heads.
- Stephen Dunham as Dr. Paul Chamberlain
[edit] Reception
The film was panned by critics, maintaining a 16 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[1][2] Jennifer Lopez's performance in the film earned her a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.[citation needed]
However, the $43-million film became a box-office smash debuting at number #1 at the box office, earning $83 million ($154.7 worldwide)[3] during its theatrical run in summer 2005.
[edit] Home media
The two-disc set DVD was released on August 30, 2005 with these features: Audio Commentary, 7 Deleted Scenes, a Blooper Reel, and 5 Featurettes:
- "Welcome Back Jane"
- "A Jennifer of All Trades"
- "Vartan the Man"
- "Trendsetters" (2 Parts)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Monster-in-Law at the Internet Movie Database
- Jennifer Lopez interview for Monster In Law
- Jane Fonda interview for Monster in Law
- Monster in Law Production Details
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