Sunday, April 18, 2021

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Movie Name:
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Year of Release: 2006
Director: Ivan Reitman
Starring: Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, Anna Faris, Eddie Izzard, Rainn Wilson, Wanda Sykes, Stelio Savante, Mark Consuelos, Mike Iorio, Tara Thompson, Kevin Towley
Genre: Comedy
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 5
Watch it on Amazon

Synopsis and Review:
Renown comedy director Ivan Reitman followed his sci-fi comedy "Evolution", with a satire which poked fun at the super hero/comic book genre from writer Don Payne (the late screenwriter was well known for his work on "The Simpsons" and would later on be responsible for the script for Kenneth Branagh's "Thor"). The film follows the story of Matt Saunders, a project manager at an Architecture firm, who following an attempt to thwart a purse robbery, starts dating the victim of the assault. Turns out the victim is in reality the super powered G-Girl, the protector of the city. As their relationship evolves, Jenny/G-Girl, becomes more and more possessive of Matt's attention, particularly of his relationship with the sweet Hannah, who also works at the firm. When Matt decides to break off the relationship, Jenny/G-Girl quickly sours, and starts turning his life into a living hell. Out of the shadows emerges Jenny/G-Girl's nemesis, Professor Bedlam, who contacts Matt with a solution to both their problems, essentially getting rid of Jenny/G-Girl's powers. 
The concept for "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" turns out to be quite interesting. A creature of herculean powers but with the insecurities of an every day person, particularly one going through a breakup. It's an interesting premise and ploy, but one that sadly never actually gels, since the story lacks a hook in the fact that not one of the characters is actually ever despicable or for that matter, ever really that funny. Jenny/G-Girl, with all her insecurities and lash out, mostly comes across as someone who has been tormented, whereas Matt is just an every day guy, who doesn't really know what he wants. Even the pseudo nemesis, doesn't really have much of a bite, neither in terms of dialogue or in terms of threat to the heroine. It's a film that tries to be a satire mixed with romantic comedy, but the tone is a bit off. The cast tries their best with the material, with Luke Wilson, Rainn Wilson, Eddie Izzard and Wanda Sykes basically doing their usually type of characters, with the heavier lifting resting on Uma Thurman and Anna Faris. While Uma Thurman is typically great, this material just isn't the best for her, while Anna Faris shines as usual in a supporting role where she plays a love interest, but where some of her comedic timing does manage to pop up. The production values are great, with the impeccable cinematography from Don Burgess and solid  production design from Jane Musky. While not a terrible film, it just isn't a particularly memorable one.

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