leplatypus
Well, for my 1st crush as a teen, this Madonna is not any more a dream for sure : this Californian yoga practicer who fights for the custody of a child is faraway of the big apple carefree crazy girl ! This modern incarnation seems particularly anxious, not really a loving happy mother and more interested in pursuing men. About her first gay companion, i don't know what to think. Actually, i'm a bit tired to see that romances in the new millennium mean a gay story. However, this one asks a much controversial question which is can gay be parents ? However the movie organizes a stupid plot for answer with having this gay making love to a woman ! Worse, the movie begins as a comedy and ends like a drama. This kind of mixed content is generally not convincing. The only good surprise here was the song « American pie » and their young son who was full of life and looks like the son of Pénelope.
Cristian
With a beautiful Madonna and gorgeous Rupert, "The next best thing" is just a drama. A drama with the best intentions. But with a plot that down and down until a obvious thing. So,"The next best thing" is not the "best" like they say.The story is about a girl with his best gay friend. One night, with all the drink you can imagine... the next best thing born. Sincerely, i think the plot could be better, but that don't means the story is bad. The movie talk about about the new couples and families and how is better handling the things with tranquility. Of course you can be with other person and be good parents and have, at same time, good l life and sexual life. But you must have carefully with the children. For that reason "The next best thing" is not bad. Because, in some way, makes us reflecting about the new life of XXI century. Oh Kay, maybe is not the "best thing", but after all is a "good thing".*Sorry for the mistakes... well, if there any
Agnelin
"The next best thing" is a fine, entertaining film that combines genuinely funny parts with a mild, non-patronizing social commentary on gay rights and the new family types that are becoming more and more common nowadays. It asks for a great exercise of suspension of disbelief, since some of the behaviours and coincidences shown in it are hard to believe, but this didn't hurt my enjoyment of this film and the good opinion I have of it.Madonna stars as Abby, who has just called it quits with her latest boyfriend and has a romantic encounter with her best, gay friend, Robert, as a result of which she falls pregnant, and they become Sam's parents, two best friends living under the same roof with their child. The perfect family, until things begin to get a little complicated...The movie starts as a comedy with some elements of romance, but it isn't as predictable as it might appear, and it contains some delightful twists. Madonna does a decent job as the main character, and she composes a quite likable single mom.The weakest side of the film is, in my opinion, the ending, that comes a little too abruptly -I felt that some things weren't properly explained. However, I would recommend the film to anyone who wishes to sit and enjoy an above average comedic drama with nice characters.
vchimpanzee
I know from 'Desperately Seeking Susan', 'Dick Tracy' and 'Evita' that Madonna can act. At first, I felt that something was missing from her performance here. I finally concluded that she has the talent for romantic comedy and for pleasant drama, but at least in this movie, when it comes to unpleasant drama, she hasn't got it.Madonna was so warm and caring as a mother. If this is how she is with her own child, I have confidence the child will probably turn out all right. She also made a convincing yoga teacher. I didn't care that much for the yoga class, except for the one clumsy newcomer.Rupert Everett gave the standout performance here as the gay best friend. I thought his best scene was the one where he asked for Abbie's keys. I liked his taste in music, too. I may be straight, but I'll choose Frank or Judy any time. Also that song that Abbie and Robert were dancing to when they knocked over the furniture. Madonna's own music, on the other hand ... well, actually, I don't dislike her as much as others who perform in the same style.The movie nearly got off track toward the end, but the ending was satisfying and didn't make things too easy for the characters. There was a challenge to overcome that actually added to the movie.This was pretty good. Not great.
AD
