I've watched this film twice over the past few years. The first time I walked away from it wondering what was bothering me about the film. So this time I watched it from that perspective...and the reason became immediately clear. There's no character to "like" in this film. Well, there was one -- Maureen Stapleton -- always a joy to watch, though here her role took up far too few minutes. But as for the lead characters: Matthew Broderick's character is madly in love with a woman (Kelly Preston's character) whom he totally takes for granted and could care less about her desires for her life. Preston's character moves to NYC and falls in love with a low-life a------ who is using her (and any other woman he can) to get a green card. Broderick's pathetic character follows her to NYC to spy on her and deceitfully win her back. Meanwhile, Preston's character has fallen in love with the ex of Ryan's character, and Ryan's character is going to get her revenge against him for using her to get a green card...and then dumping her. So the question is: who do you root for in this film? No one! And that's the problem! So to me, the basic story line is quite flawed, not that the film doesn't have its funny (and occasionally touching) moments. Cockroaches set free in the green card hungry Frenchman's restaurant. Now that's funny! Broderick's character in a physical fight with the Frenchman who has 2 broken arms and a strawberry rash. That's funny! But an old Lassie television show being show in flight? No, I don't think so, and I failed to see the relevance to the story...although they portray that as a relevant moment is Broderick realizing he is in love with Ryan.
Don't mistake my criticisms of the characters for criticism of the actors. Matthew Broderick is fine here. But when you consider his career, you wonder why he didn't become the "every man" type of actor like Jimmy Stewart. He had it in him, but I can't say the right roles came his way...or he didn't accept the right roles. He has had an "okay" career, but it would be difficult to define him as a film star (though he has done well on Broadway).
Meg Ryan was the preeminent love-comedy actress for quite a few years, and in this film you can see why. She's not exactly my style, yet I've enjoyed pretty much every film I've seen her in. Though her popularity has faded, I still enjoy seeing her.
As to the secondary love interests: Tchéky Karyo as the Frenchman; no thank you. I'm glad this is the only film I've seen him in. Kelly Preston...well, okay.
If you don't expect a lot from this film, then you may very well enjoy it...sort of. But it's not Broderick or Ryan at their best, and the plot seems to plod, despite lively situations. It's just sorta broken slightly.
Don't mistake my criticisms of the characters for criticism of the actors. Matthew Broderick is fine here. But when you consider his career, you wonder why he didn't become the "every man" type of actor like Jimmy Stewart. He had it in him, but I can't say the right roles came his way...or he didn't accept the right roles. He has had an "okay" career, but it would be difficult to define him as a film star (though he has done well on Broadway).
Meg Ryan was the preeminent love-comedy actress for quite a few years, and in this film you can see why. She's not exactly my style, yet I've enjoyed pretty much every film I've seen her in. Though her popularity has faded, I still enjoy seeing her.
As to the secondary love interests: Tchéky Karyo as the Frenchman; no thank you. I'm glad this is the only film I've seen him in. Kelly Preston...well, okay.
If you don't expect a lot from this film, then you may very well enjoy it...sort of. But it's not Broderick or Ryan at their best, and the plot seems to plod, despite lively situations. It's just sorta broken slightly.