mbhaynes
I've been drawn to this movie again and again. It's funny, it has warmth and pathos, and the performances are great. I always thought JoBeth Williams was an underrated actress. She was totally believable in an admittedly preposterous plot. But the Tom Conti character offered a warm and credible reality check to the zanier aspects of the film. His character was thoroughly appealing and I keenly felt his loss when Rebecca Ryan once again became Cathy Palmer. The ending was totally satisfactory. There were serious laughs, from the brilliantly choreographed kitchen scene to the drunken revelry at the Embassy Party.I highly recommend this film. I suppose it might be classified as a "chick-flick" but it's much more than that. Great laughs, lots of warmth, and strong chemistry between the main characters lifted this film to a "10".
ksneath
Suburban housewife Cathy Palmer lives a mundane, frustrating life but allows herself one pleasure -- she absorbs herself in the Rebecca Ryan fiction novel series (almost a woman version of James Bond). She is so fascinated with the character that she enters a contest to write a short story in the style of the Rebecca Ryan novels for a chance to win an expense paid trip for 2 to Paris (the city of her dreams and the setting for the novels).When she wins, her unappreciative and manipulating husband refuses to go with her, and won't even let her go -- however she's had enough and decides to go anyway! While touring in Paris, she suffers a head injury and wakes up believing that she is in fact Rebecca Ryan! What follows from there on is simply great, funny entertainment. The interaction between Williams and Conti is constantly amusing and downright funny. The hour in the middle of the film where the fantasy is on is wonderful.Unfortunately, the film wasn't quite as good at the first, and really trailed off in the last half hour as she has to come to grips with reality again. The direction the story took and the way everything was resolved seemed unsatisfying and very average after the wonderful section that preceded it.One other note: Several others have commented about how this is a wonderful family film, very clean, etc. This really is not in fact the case, unfortunately (it would have been wonderful if this were the case). Palmer's young boys talk crudely about sexual matters and use sexual terms at the first of the film, Cathy ends up sleeping with another man while she's married, etc.I'd probably rate the middle hour about a 9, and the rest of the film about a 5. But it's worth seeing for the very funny "Rebecca Ryan fantasy hour."
hillartaz
I have seen this movie at least a half dozen times probably more and I never tire of it. It is a wonderful comedy which I laughed my head off; and a romantic dream that all women probably fantasize. I try to find it each month on cable and it doesn't seem to be available any more. What's happened? I looked in my local video store and couldn't find it there either. What's up?You should make more movies like this - fun to watch, brings me up out of any blue mood I may be in and is just plain enjoyable. Jo Beth Williams and Tom Conti are greaet together. I feel like laughing.....where do I get my copy?Loved it!!!!!
caa821
I just saw this movie for the second time, after several years. Didn't realize it was now 22 years since release, and that it was already about 10-years-old when I first saw it.Whatever, it is an excellent film - one of those which originally slipped a bit "under the radar," and with two thoroughly engaging, attractive, talented leads, who for some reason didn't quite make the higher Hollywood "A" list.Jobeth Williams and Tom Conti both have fine careers, but neither has obtained superstar status; personally, I have enjoyed the work of both more than a number who have attained that level.This is a thoroughly pleasant and humorous film, and their characters and relationship in the film were likewise.As to analyzing the film, its set-ups, etc. - I agree completely with the earlier comment posted by "xavrush89." Had I not caught it, I would have made precisely the same points it contains (although perhaps not as well).
AD
