For what seems like another romantic comedy,using the witty uncomfortable Firth as our Hugh Grant substitute,is actually rather cold in places. All these films have a warmth about them in some small way that acts as a backdrop in which to snuggle up and feel "involved" with its characters. But in reality,we don't actually care too much about Firth in this film. His rigid clichéd,English Hugh Grant act doesn't quite wash. While Grant makes this type of stumbling fool his own,Firth comes across as plain un-nervy at best. Heather Graham is the only merit cast wise.A nice touch of contrast in characters and obviously this was the entire premise of the film to have too totally polar personalities collide. Grahams eccentric wildness keeps us attracted and drawn but we're not in this for the supporting role.Her ability to snap in and out of a unstable fruitcake into a potential girlfriend,puts even more pressure on Firth's character. Enter Driver...for me she remains an underrated actress with a tainted CV that sadly doesn't explore what she really can do. She has been marred with too many girlfriend roles and this one has broken the camels back. What realism we got in "Skylar" in goodwill hunting,is a cold distant relative in Hope springs.. Yes,she's supposed to add the slightly cruella de ville element to this comedy..but all too well i feel and this separates the comedy with a knife at times.
On release,it was pretty much forgotten and just as well,as neither Graham,Firth or Driver will want this blazzened across their CV..maybe someone can painlessly erase this shortsighted film and replace it with another empty romantic farce???
On release,it was pretty much forgotten and just as well,as neither Graham,Firth or Driver will want this blazzened across their CV..maybe someone can painlessly erase this shortsighted film and replace it with another empty romantic farce???