Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Kinley This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

gradyharp Having never heard of this movie when it was in general release (if it ever was) it seemed a good Saturday evening diversion type story. Once the film begins and it is apparent that the director is P.J. Hogan who has created such fun and sensitive stories as MURIEL'S WEDDING and MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, then the gentle humor and touching messages are welcome and anticipated. With a cast that includes sterling performances by the always excellent Kathy Bates, Rupert Everett, Jonathan Pryce, and Lynn Redgrave, the impact is one of polished comedy and sincere pathos blended as well as Hogan has done in the past. Hogan likes to touch on issues such as 'different' people, be those differences as in gender identity, physical stature ( small person Meredith Eaton is a beautiful and gifted actress), or social mores. Briefly, Kathy Bates plays a housewife who fantasizes an affair with a popular British singer (Jonathan Pryce - who not only acts well but is given the opportunity to share his significant vocal talents in person and on the soundtrack of the film). Her husband of 25 years (Dan Ackroyd) announces to her that their marriage is over because Bates is boring. That same day her idol is killed and she decides to go to England for the funeral! Once there she intrudes into the house of her fantasy man only to discover that he was gay and has a lover of 10 years (Rupert Everett) who is being ostracized by the singers' family. Persistance and happenstance throw these two together and the resultant bi-continental declaration for revenge of the death of their shared hero (with a lot of help form Bates' daughter-in-law Meredith Eaton) forms the bulk of the tale. Along the way they encounter the real life Julie Andrews, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Barry Manilow in what could have been a pushed overindulgence, but Hogan keeps the tempo down so that these guests appearances maintain the jolly mood of this fluffy but warmly entertaining movie. Definitely a feel good film!

kmscb-1 I caught about two-thirds of this movie on an overseas flight and couldn't make head nor tails of it, but Kathy Bates was fun and Rupert Everett was in good form so I enjoyed what I saw. Then forgot about it (it was a damned long flight) until I read Rupert's latest bio and he mentioned it. So I rented it. And seeing from start to finish made me like it so much, I bought it.You cannot really catch the essence of the pleasure of this story in a basic synopsis. A settled-in housewife fantasizes about a "Barry Manilow"-style singer named Victor Fox, but then her marriage falls apart and Victor is killed and she sets off on a journey initially to attend his funeral but actually to find herself...and finds all sorts of adventure and a different kind of love and a new meaning to her life, en route. It's almost like a modern "Candide" wrapped around a murder mystery that isn't so mysterious. Okay...maybe I'm stretching in the analogy, but it's still a movie that tries to be more than just an A-B-C style Hollywood piece of nonsense -- that, alone, is worth massive praise -- and comes so close to working, I hate to say anything negative about it.Of course, it never hurts to have Kathy Bates at your center. As Grace, she is warm, accepting, stronger than she thinks and believable as a woman suddenly cast adrift after 25 years of a very safe and careful marriage. She's hidden herself in the guise of being nothing more than her husband's wife and mother to their now-grown children, and never realized how much she'd stopped being her own person. And Rupert Everett is in fine caustic form as Dirk, a man who's submerged himself in publicly being nothing but the "valet" to Victor Fox when he's really the man's long-time companion and is unable to openly grieve for someone who treated him like dirt but whom he still loves. Another lost soul in need of a new life. They play nicely off each other.There's a fine compliment of supporting characters -- a over-sexed dwarf with an attitude, a mild- mannered husband, three greedy sisters, a window-washer with issues and Julie Andrews in her take-charge mode. Had things been mixed up just a little more with some serious farce all the way through and trimmed by about fifteen minutes, this could have been a fantastic movie. Instead, we get a neatly laid out smörgåsbord of fun moments that don't really come together as one complete meal. That's not to say it isn't tasty...and worth the watching...it's just missing that extra dash of chaos to give it just the right flavor.Of course, that don't mean I won't go back for seconds.

mpeterson1-1 I absolutely adore this movie! I had never heard of it when I saw it at the video store. I saw Kathy Bates was in it, so I figured it had to have some worth, you know? I watched it the first time just shaking my head . . . huh? Then it was the last scene and I found myself aching from smiling so hard. I clicked "play movie" and watched the whole thing again. It is without doubt the quirkiest movie I've ever seen. But the more I watch it, the more I love it. It's absurd and crazy and sweet and dear. Kathy Bates is impeccable, but the rest of the cast is fabulous, too. What odd characters they all are! The midget is just too funny for words. And Julie Andrews and Barry Manilow are hysterical. It's just an all around funny, fabulous movie. I get cravings to see it again. Whoever is watching it for the first time, please stick it out to the end. It's well worth it!

Stormy_Autumn Whether it is in drama or comedy, I enjoy Kathy Bates's acting. She always presents her character in a real way that isn't a carbon copy of her last role. And in this "particular movie" we get to say, "Man, what a voice that woman has!" Kathy Bates is wonderfully funny in the role of Grace Beasley whose life is falling a part. Her husband has left her. Her favorite crooner, Victor Fox (Jonathan Pryce), has been murdered while in Grace's home town of Chicago, Illinois. The only moral support in her life comes from her daughter-in-law, Maudey Beasley (Meredith Eaton), who is a little person with a big, understanding heart. (Maudey is married to Grace's only son, Andrew.) After Victor's death, Grace decides to go to England. She wants to attend his funeral. She desires to be of help to his family. Instead she learns that a young gay man, Dirk Simpson (Rupert Everett) is his family. And that Victor's "blood family" is trying to take everything Victor left to Dirk. (Victor's sisters are played by Lynn Redgrave and Stephanie Beacham.) Dirk has been hurt by Victor's death and the treatment he has received from the family. So, needless to say, it takes a bit for Grace to gain Dirk's trust. Once she does, she talks him into going to Chicago to solve Victor's murder. The outcome of their hard work turns up surprises concerning Victor's death.Then there's all that happens to move Grace towards independence, much to the dismay of husband, Max (Dan Aykroyd). This film is worth your time! Among the highlights of this movie are the roles played by Julie Andrews and Lynn Redgrave. What fun they added. AND getting to hear Grace (Kathy Bates) sing, along with a surprise accompanist.