The story behind director Greg Berlanti's "Life As We Know It" is as basic as pandesal. It's a generic rom-com indulgently structured around two opposing personalities brought together by tragedy.
Holly (Katherine Heigl) and Messer aka Eric (Josh Duhamel) are left custody of their goddaughter Sophie (triplets Alexis, Brynn & Brooke Clagett) whose parents die from an accident. Holly is the deceased mom's bestfriend - while Messer is the departed dad's best buddy. Despite Holly and Messer's dislike for each other, they were suddenly thrusted joint responsibility for the care of baby Sophie. On top of that, they have to "live together" under one roof. Otherwise, baby Sophie may as well be sequestered into the ambiguous care of Child Protection Services. The couple has to make it work, won't they?
One part of me knew of the basic structure of this narrative. It's as predictable as saying that Richard Gutierrez is a bland actor. But somehow, the brisk pace of its crowd-pleasing script is buoyed by the endearing performances of Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel (an actor I've had a crush with since Robert Luketic's "Win A Date with Tad Hamilton" in 2004). Under normal circumstances, I'd steer clear from Messer, a cad whose bothersome charm duplicates the reliability of PLDT's DSL services! But Duhamel has had enough experience to transcend this mundane character and carry it across mainstream legitimacy. Before the film ends, it's nothing short of a miracle that we find ourselves rooting for Messer!
Katherine Heigl, on the other hand, has adequately filled the shoes of the former American Sweethearts (Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock). She gives life to histrionic Holly whose idea of a great time is baking a cake. Sure, we've seen her take this road before - as Jane in "27 Dresses", as Abby in "The Ugly Truth", and more recently as Jen in "Killers" with Ashton Kutcher! We may fret a bit for the uncanny similarity of all of these characters - but we laugh, and we cry, and we laugh again despite a sense of dejavu!
Josh Lucas provides third party milk-curdler! He plays Sam, the delectable pediatrician who flirts with Holly!
I'm not too sure if Ms. Heigl is pleased with the reviews her movie is getting. As for me, I pity the film nerd - that avowed film lover; that film critic- who fails to experience the simple joys of watching "Life As We Know It". I really do!
Katherine Heigl: America's sweetheart!
Josh Duhamel stands 6'3 1/2". All those vertical extensions will have all the girls, including Fergie and myself, swooning with infatuation. ;->
Josh Duhamel returns to "Transformers - The Dark of the Moon" due out in 2011. And a Disney-produced "What's He Got!" As though that needs to be asked! LOL
Josh Duhamel was once a bath attendant. Lucky Fergie!
Josh Lucas plays 3rd wheel!
What's with the name "Josh" and gorgeousness? i swear when I've kids of my own, I'll name my boy "Josh". ;->
Josh Lucas' signature grin! Melts any butter from Los Angeles to Zimbabwe!
2 comments:
Nice Movie
It is. :)
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