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As an esteemed television journalist put out to pasture by the networks and faced with the engagement of her son, Jane Fonda is fierce, funny, and ready to rumble as the title character inMonster-in-Lawin a way that the rest of the film itself never really is. Jennifer Lopez, the film's other above-the-title star, is set to marry handsome, wealthy Michael Vartan but has one helluva time dealing with his insanely possessive mother. The result is pretty much what you'd expect--lots of snarls and slapstick and an easy, kisses-all-around conclusion, though it is surprising (and maybe a little disheartening) to watch Fonda throw herself into such disposable comedy with such gusto. Director Robert Luketic, who slept while Reese Witherspoon tottered off with hisLegally Blonde, once again relies solely on the assembled talent: He leaves a high-wattage Lopez playing things a little too cute, a reedy Vartan looking visibly disinterested, and canny comedian Wanda Sykes making what she can--which, luckily, is a lot--of her role as Fonda's wisecracking personal assistant (the type of black sidekick role that's an indication of how creakily formulaic the film is). See it for Fonda, if you feel like it, then wish her a better engagement in the future.--Steve Wiecking
Fantastic Fonda, Sensational Stritch, Wonderful Wanda Jane, Elaine, and Wanda make this a fun movie experience. I will watch it again and again to catch these three great comedic actresses at their best. It is nice to see Jane again, and it would be terrific to see Elaine and Wanda more often on the big screen.
Funny movie, good acting; plot can be a little confusing at times I thought that the movie Monster-In-Law was funny. I especially liked Jane Fonda's bad-woman turn after years of seeing her in some good woman roles. Viola does everything to stop Charlie, Jennifer Lopez' character from marrying her son Kevin. Even getting in a catfight with Charlie! And wrecking a party gathering too. Viola is very defensive and protective of her son in most cases. Wanda Sykes is funny in most scenes. After so much back and forth, Charlie confronts Viola the day of the wedding and defends her and Kevin getting married. Viola is silent for the first time. I liked how the producers smartly paired two generations of Hollywood movie stars in one film with Fonda and Lopez. They start kind of sticky the first 20 minutes, but they blend well as the movie rolls on. It ends this generation gap of current and established actors not liking each other's period of films. This movie did well on all fronts. When people see the last name Fonda on the marquee, they'll go to it--she's her own brand name! The plot can be a struggle to get through as we don't know some of the other characters in the film. They keep much of the focus on Fonda and Lopez since they're A-list talent. And not very much on Michael Vartan's character Kevin. I thought that this movie came at a good time in May when a lot of couples, young and older, marry at around Memorial Day and the summer months. It might have prevented the nerves and tensions of their upcoming wedding days. One of the most cleverly made movies pairing an already successful actress (Lopez) with one of the most legendary and classy actresses ever (Fonda)!Cute! We rented this movie Monster In Law and I liked it and thought it was cute. I thought the cast was very good, I have seen some classic movies that starred Jane Fonda such as Barefoot in the Park and On Golden Pond and thought not as good as those movies I still enjoyed watching this and I think she was good in this movie and I also thought Jennifer Lopez was good too and I thought Michael Vartan was good and so underused!
