Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Zellweger Brings "Betty" To Life, September 25, 2000
A young waitress in a small town in Kansas witnesses an act of violence so unspeakable that her mind refuses to accept it; instead, like a ray of light reflected through a prism, she takes a detour within herself and enters a reality in which things are just a little bit better and nicer, one that fuses with the world of her favorite soap opera wherein resides the "doctor" of her dreams. Renee Zellweger stars in "Nurse Betty," a satirical comedy/drama with some serious psychological overtones from director Neil LaBute. It's an objective look at, among other things, small town life, the aesthetics of professional hit men, an unhealthy (?) obsession with soap operas, and the ethics of car salesmen. One thing is certain: After the aforementioned incident, Dorothy isn't in Kansas anymore. And her story becomes an odyssey of sorts, one that is both exhilarating and hilarious, and by turn somber and disturbing. Since those with whom Betty comes into contact do not realize that she is dwelling within a reality of her own design, it creates moments of absolute side-splitting hilarity as they try to figure out what is going on with her; is she putting them on, or is she in fact, deranged? But at the same time, even as you're laughing, there is an element of discomfort about it, because you know the truth of it all, and what a sad and serious situation it really is. You feel, not only for Betty, but for all of those involved with her as well, and it's like manic depression; you ride the wild highs, but come down just as hard. As Betty, Renee Zellweger gives what just may be the best performance of her career; there is such a gentleness of nature about her, a winsomeness and pacificism that makes her such a wonderfully sympathetic character. Early in the film LaBute establishes what kind of a person Betty is; she's easy to like and someone you care about instantly, someone you want to see good things happen to. And it makes the impact of the violence with which she is visited all the more profound (and be advised, the scene is shockingly reminiscent of the torture scene in "Reservoir Dogs;" somewhat graphic, but because of excellent directing and editing, you get the illusion of seeing more than you actually are. It is definitely one that you will not soon forget). These are things that should not happen to someone like Betty; it just doesn't seem fair somehow, and the connection that she makes with the audience underscores what a brilliant job Zellweger has done. Equal credit, of course, has to go to Neil LaBute, for creating the perfect atmosphere through which the desired results are so impeccably delivered. The serene, almost lilting essence of Betty's reality, this kind of "Pleasantville" into which she has entered, contrasts so vividly with the thread of violence and menace laced throughout that it heightens the emotional response to it all. He has successfully managed the perfect balancing of the pure with the despicable and enhanced it all with pace, timing and some memorable performances. Besides Zellweger, Morgan Freeman is outstanding as Charlie, the aging hit-man out to finish one last job before retiring. He brings a commanding demeanor to the role, coupled with a maturity and intelligence that adds so much to the depth of the character. And Greg Kinnear, as Dr. David Ravell/George McCord, gives a definitive performance as the soap opera star of Betty's dreams. It is a character Kinnear was born to play and he covers all the bases, leaving no doubt as to just exactly who and what this guy is all about. Notable performances also are turned in by Chris Rock, as Wesley, Charlie's protege; and by Aaron Eckhart, as Del, Betty's sleazy, neglectful car salesman husband. Rounding out the supporting cast are Tia Texada (Rosa), Crispin Glover (Roy), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Ballard), Allison Janney (Lyla) and Kathleen Wilhoite (Sue Ann). Rarely are there so many truly memorable performances in a single movie, and again, LaBute must be given credit for bringing out the best in his actors; it adds a polish to the finished product that is inestimable. Another reason for the success of this film is that the humor is natural and true; rather than being forced or contrived it issues from real situations and the characters reactions to them, and LaBute plays everything straight, which makes it all real. The laughs (and there are many) are born of their own merit; each one is honest and earned. And again, because of that purity of delivery, it makes the drama all the more effective. Well made and delivered, "Nurse Betty" is highly entertaining and certainly memorable; a funny, emotional movie that will have you alternately gasping and cheering. Check this one out; it's a motion picture experience you do not want to miss.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Feel-Good Movie!, January 27, 2001
This movie is a wonderful low-key comedy starring Renee Zellwegger in her brilliant performance as Betty, who believes she's a nurse on a popular soap opera after going in shock from witnessing her husband's horrific murder. The two hitmen who killed her husband are the suprizingly hilarious duo, Chris Rock and Morgan Freeman. The plot twists and turns as we follow Betty from her rural mid-west hometown to Hollywood because she believes that she is a nurse who is in love with an arrogant doctor, played fittingly by Greg Kinnear. Morgan Freeman steals the laughs from Chris Rock as they follow Betty, who's the only witness to the murder, across the country and always one step behind her. Everyone will enjoy this movie for it's talented actors, it's comedy and it's "warm and fuzzy" ending.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
OVERLOOKED GEM, March 26, 2001
A complete departure for director Neil LaBute, his third film and first "major" vehicle, it is an amazing piece which actually turns in the total opposite direction of his first films which were not hopeful or friendly to the more human and sympathetic aspects of people. Don't get me wrong... there are still ugly, criminal, and cruel people populating this film, but this time there is a balance... and the balance is struck beautifully. Renée Zellweger is her charming self, playing the plucky soap opera addicted Kansas waitress, Betty, who is married to a corrupt car salesman played brilliantly by Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart has shady business deals going (as well as adulterous affairs). Two hit men (Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock, who are both excellent) come to town to kill him and do so most gruesomely. However, they do not realise that Betty is home and witnesses the murder. (They have previously met Betty, though, because she was their waitress at the diner). Betty is watching a videotape of her favourite soap and its heartthrob doctor (played well by Greg Kinnear) when the murder takes place. As some sort of psychological defence mechanism Betty assumes a new personality and believes that she is a nurse and the fiancée of Kinnear's character. She assumes a false life as her own, gets in the car and drives to California to reclaim that life. Things go along swimmingly at first, and the people who meet her do not realise how seriously she takes this assumed life. Most think she is joking, others think she is an overly ambitious actress trying to work her way into the soap opera. She meets the writers and stars of the soap opera, and it is only when she is told that she is going to have a walk on bit part on the soap that she "snaps out" of this psychological trauma. The pivotal and almost frightening part of this film is when she is on the set of the show and suddenly comes to the realisation that she does not know where she is or how she got there. Meanwhile Freeman and Rock have been chasing Betty across the country because they have to kill her since she was a witness to the murder of her husband. As they travel Freeman falls in love with this image he has of Betty, and Rock has to convince him to get a hold of himself. The film does not end completely happily, but Betty does come out happily in the end. Zellweger shines in this film, and it is well worth seeing.
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