Rumor Has It...

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo, Mena Suvari, Mike Vogel, Christopher McDonald, Kathy Bates (uncredited)
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Romance
2005

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:A woman (Jennifer Aniston) learns that the movie The Graduate is based on her family. She sets out to find the man (Kevin Costner) who was seduced by her grandmother and was in love with her mother.

Review:

Tim: Ok, despite a crazy premise, I actually like the original idea of this movie. The Graduate is such a great movie, and I appreciate this film's attempt to put that movie into a greater (if completely unrealistic) context. The idea is original, and I like the attempt. Sadly, despite this unique premise, the film is just a regular, run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. I actually found much of the plot distasteful. I just simply couldn't enjoy this movie.

For starters, I strongly disliked Jennifer Aniston's character. She just makes some asinine choices, and it is hard to root for her character. She gives a decent enough performance, but there was just no winning with this role. Kevin Costner tries to give off the sexy, experienced man vibe. Sadly, he just comes across as a bit of a creep. He doesn't appear in the best light here. The best character in the film is Mark Ruffalo's, and that character, despite being an understanding, forgiving man, is a bit of a wuss. Shirley MacLaine isn't much better, either. The whole cast try to give good performances, but the script and their characters just don't work.

You might be able to enjoy this movie if you can overlook the absolute mess of a plot. I was not able to do so, and the film's terrible story just pulled me down. To be perfectly candid, for long stretches of the film, I thought I might be able to enjoy the movie as a whole. However, at the film's conclusion, you realize what a mess this film ended up being, and the only emotion you'll feel is a dull sadness that you wasted such a chunk of your life on it.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Graduate, Tin Cup, The Good Girl, When Harry Met Sally