John O'Shea dies while challenging a much younger man at hand ball. He leaves behind his wife Grace (Annette O'Toole) and his kids Cate (Rachael Leigh Cook) and Henry (Joseph Cross) in Flatbush. He also leaves behind lots of debt. Henry leaves nursing school and uncle Colin's friend George (Joe Pantoliano) gets him a doorman job. He falls for Scarlett Dowling (Sarah Roemer) despite her snooty mother Meredith (Mimi Rogers) and drunken boyfriend Buck. He works with night doorman Raul (Snoop Dogg) who often breaks the rules.
There is a conflict within the character Henry. The way he treats his mother and the way he reacts to the gay guy kiss are a throwback to an old world Irish tough guy persona. The personality Joseph Cross projects is something different. There is a sense that the clunky writing is stuck. Cross is ill-suited to be that guy. In order for this to work as a comedy, filmmaker David M. Rosenthal has to be quicker on his feet. He's not much in making comedies. I do like Annette O'Toole in a sex shop. It's a little fun but the comedy is very ham-fisted. She is the best part of the movie. The romance is relatively simple and effective. Ultimately, the tension is low because there is little danger. It's not like they could be kept apart if they insist on the relationship. There are some good actors. I'm not sure that Roemer is one of them although she seems fine in this. There are some clunky bits but I like enough of it.
There is a conflict within the character Henry. The way he treats his mother and the way he reacts to the gay guy kiss are a throwback to an old world Irish tough guy persona. The personality Joseph Cross projects is something different. There is a sense that the clunky writing is stuck. Cross is ill-suited to be that guy. In order for this to work as a comedy, filmmaker David M. Rosenthal has to be quicker on his feet. He's not much in making comedies. I do like Annette O'Toole in a sex shop. It's a little fun but the comedy is very ham-fisted. She is the best part of the movie. The romance is relatively simple and effective. Ultimately, the tension is low because there is little danger. It's not like they could be kept apart if they insist on the relationship. There are some good actors. I'm not sure that Roemer is one of them although she seems fine in this. There are some clunky bits but I like enough of it.