Customer Reviews

View from the Top [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I read a review of this movie when it came to the theaters that just completely tore it apart from oepning frame to closing. Thus, I avoided seeing it for all of the right reasons. However, the genre of film is one of my boyfriend's favorites, and as a favor to him, rented this little movie for a quick Saturday afternoon's entertainment. What I found was a quirky, fun, funny movie that, if you don't take it all too seriously, you can seriously warm to.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Donna, a girl with stars and the skies in her eyes. Donna longs for a better life than her small town girlhood in Silver Springs. Hooking up with a small commuter airline, Donna starts her career in the air. In one short but pivotal scene, she is dissed by a trio of snooty flight atttendants, which fires her upward. Soon, she moves up to a major airlines, but first, has to endure the training process, run by the ever funny Mike Meyers.

Complication besets complication, but no worries, this is a film whose plot is secondary to the likabillity of its characters. You know about the ending, but the time spent with these people is entertaining. Turning in great performances is the hugely underused Kelly Preston, Christina Applegate as a ditsy coworker, wonderful Candice Bergan as a flight attendant extraordinaire, and the lovable Mark Ruffalo, playing a has-it-together guy, finally.

Much disdain has been heaped on this movie, perhaps by people intending to take it much more seriously than was its intention. Citizen Kane its not, but a lighthearted time spent in the skies. As we follow Donna on her journey of self-revelation, we root for her and all of her friends as well. So sit back, make sure your tray table is locked, and this time, you don't have to locate your nearest exits, with a View from the Top.

View From the Top is not as bad a many people would have you believe. In fact, it's quite entertaining. First of all, don't take it seriously, because it's just a fluff romantic comedy. If you keep that in perspective, you'll really enjoy this film.

The story is centered around Donna, a woman from the trailer parks of Nevada who hopes to escape from the type of life her mother leads. She thinks she has found the ticket in the high school quarterback who promises to take her places, but in the end, he dumps her. In a fit of depression, she ends up watching daytime TV in a bar, and she sees the interview of a famous flight attendant. Her dreams take off from there as she struggles to make her dreams come true.

The only weak point in this film is Mike Meyers who places the flight attendant trainer. Some of his jokes fall flat and at times it seems he is recycling some of his Dr. Evil character. Other than that, I think you'll enjoy this. Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Gwyneth Paltrow was great as Donna, the main character who dreams of one day being an international flight attendant. Maybe this wasn't her best role, but I certainly enjoyed her performance. The other characters were all good too: Christina Applegate, Candice Bergen, Kelly Preston, Mark Ruffalo (Donna's future boyfriend), and Rob Lowe (although he was only in a few scenes). The characters I liked the best were the gay flight attendant and Mike Myers (that was a nice surprise after being tired of his "Austin Powers" gags). The weakest part about this movie was probably the script, which could have been better. Still the actors made the most of what material they were given, and I was pleasantly surprised by the movie in general. I laughed and felt good walking out of the theater. Who could ask for anything more?

The trailer for the film implies two things:
a) the movie takes place in the sixties, when "stewardesses" were considered glamorous.

b) It's a wacky comedy.

NOT TRUE. It takes place, sadly, in our time. It would have been more fun had the cheesy uniforms and the "jet-setting stew" been more a focus.

Also, while there are occasional moments of comedic hijinks, the movie is actually a fairly low-key romantic comedy. If you're in the mood for a laid back, pleasant but hardly hot romance, then go ahead and enjoy.

Gwyneth Paltrow and the terrific Mark Ruffalo (YOU CAN COUNT ON ME) are the on-again, off-again couple. Mostly, we follow Paltrow, as she strives to fulfill her dreams of becoming a flight attendant with the New York - Paris route. Not exactly the stuff of high drama. Kelly Preston plays an acquaintance who joins her on her "quest" and Christina Applegate is another friend, whose dealings are just a bit suspect.

Mike Myers, featured heavily in the trailers, is in a supporting role as a trainer. His character really belongs in a different movie, but that's not really Myers' fault. He is amusing, and generates virtually the only out-loud laughs in the movie.

So, just be warned before you go. This movie is not for little kids...there isn't too much that's terribly objectionable, but they will be BORED, BORED, BORED. Probably not for teen boys either. But, if you want a "nice" romantic comedy without the over-the-top plot twists of stuff like HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS or MAID IN MANHATTAN, there are certainly worse movies than VIEW FROM THE TOP.

This is not a winner, but it was pretty entertaining. Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow does what she can with the sometimes lame script that brought along "View from the Top." Its got a great soundtrack and a great cast, which includes Candice Bergen, Christina Applegate, Kelly Preston, Mike Myers, and Rob Lowe. But a movie with some good potential got lost in too many release-date changes and over-the-top, sometimes unfunny humor. Paltrow stars as Donna, a young woman with big dreams. She is on the way to become an international flight attendant, and she's willing to do almost anything to succeed. When her smooth ride turns bumpy, she has to decide whether or not she's ready to leave her dreams behind. There are some hilarious moments involving Mike Myers and a "cat fight" between Paltrow and Applegate. Some of the jokes are likeable and funny, while a few just seem over-done or awkward. "View from the Top," though, is funny at times, and Gwyneth Paltrow is charming, along with her co-stars. But the finished project leaves you a little unsatisfied, but hopefully you'll be able to overcome some mild turbulence.

How this movie adds up to more than the sum of its parts is difficult to explain without seeing it, but suspend disbelief (and pocket that cineaste elitism for a mo') and read on ...

First, Gwyneth Paltrow can do white trash girl with a heart of gold really, really well, as she's proven in other films (Duets comes to mind). She's got a great range. The woman won an Oscar, remember? She didn't grab the statue for this movie, but she's got the chops and she runs away with the role of Donna, the trailer park girl from Nevada with big dreams.

Second, Christina Applegate is deliciously duplicitious in the role of her friend and protege, and is proof that trash in Chanel's clothing is still ... well, trash. Then again, standing next to Gwyneth Paltrow, who isn't going to look somewhat less-than? (OK, so I'm biased. This is my disclaimer).

Third, Mike Meyers as flight attendant trainer? How funny is this? Do you love Mike Meyers? Why haven't you seen this movie yet? Not optional. A MUST OWN. He is high-larious, and the bloopers at the end of the movie are worth the price of a rental alone. ("I am a kitten ... ")

Fourth: The writing. No, not the plot, which is predictably formulaic and fairly predictable. What makes this movie pop like Jiffy is the way these actors take it and make it their own. What comes through loud and clear is how much fun these folks were having making this film. It is a romp! View From The Top could well have been called "Over The Top" because in some ways it is.

If the Farrelly Brothers has been Farrelly Sisters and made a kinder, gentler romantic comedy, I think this is precisely the kind of movie they'd have made.

I love it. So sue me. It's a riot, and it's heart warming to boot. More "love it" features include "don't hate me because I'm from the 80's" musical valentines (Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer"), and mouthwatering scenes of Paris (with Gwyneth strolling along the Seine wearing a beret looking oh so soignee).

A guilty, fat-free pleasure -- lather, rinse, repeat!

You keep wanting to dismiss "View from the Top" as a total fluff piece, but then something keeps happening to make you think that it is not that bad. After all, at the heart of this movie is Gwyneth Paltrow, and we might not really believe that she is a white trash trailer park girl, but we never forget this is Gwyneth Paltrow. More importantly, this is not Gwyneth Paltrow the drama queen, but one who gets to spend most of the film being adorable (without an English accent), and she can be pretty adorable (especially without an English accent).

"View from the Top" walks a fine line, because on the one hand we have some over the top scenes courtesy of Mike Myers as Flight Attendant Guru John Whitney, Josh Malina as Randy Jones male Flight Attendant, and Rob Lowe as co-pilot Steve Bench. Then we get back to Gwyneth as Donna, the girl with a dream, and it is almost like being in another movie. So there is a comic side and a serious side to this movie, just like there is the career plot line and the romance plot line between Donna and Ted (Mark Ruffalo), and just like Donna has her good friend Sherry (Kelly Preston) and her not so good friend Christine (Christina Applegate).

But the person who ends up being the lynch pin of this film is Donna's mentor and flight attendant godmother, Sally Weston, played by Candice Bergen. You keeping thinking Murphy Brown is going to make an appearance at any moment, but Sally Weston is exactly who she seems to be and as good as gold. She might be perky and the queen of stewardesses, but the lady is not stupid. You keep thinking this movie is going to turn into some sort of mindless romp about flight attendants, but it never sinks to that level.

Be sure not to bail out before the credits, because in addition to the traditional outtakes there is a production number by the flight attendants of Royalty Airlines. The DVD has has a trio of short featurettes, the best of which is a short history of Flight Attendants, including the famous paper dresses.

As I work in this industry I loved it! I looked at it and everything in this movie was so true to life. Again this is not a Lord of the ring epic. Its just PLANE fun and light. I think you have to look a bit into this movie to see that sometimes as much as a job can be a blast but never let it get in the way of love.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie. Release delays usually bode ill, but not this time! Paltrow did an excellent job in her portrayal of a rural girl reaching for the sky. Her many talents were evident. Bergen and Myers added their experience and acting expertise, as did Christina Applegate. Although the story came to a rather hasty end (editing?), the result was quite satisfying. Others in the theatre seemed pleased with the experience. It was a great evening. I'll be back to see this one again on "the silver screen". Great costumes and an innovative story kept View From The Top crusing on target for Paltrow, and especially Applegate. Don't miss it!

The critics, once again, have no clue to what they are reviewing.

This is a great movie. A good 1 1/2 hours of relaxation-no mystery to challenge your mind, no bullets flying and special effects to make you dizzy. The storyline is cute. The entire cast did a splendid job. There are even out-takes at the end. I love out-takes. And the music was excellent throughout the entire movie. So either, buy it, rent it, borrow it, whatever, just watch it.