Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A charming romantic comedy with a grand romantic gesture, May 29, 2004
"I'm With Lucy" is not a great romantic comedy but I swear it is worth watching a lot more than many of the movies in this genre that I have seen in recent years with bigger stars (e.g., "Maid in Manhattan"). In fact, this 2002 film has exactly what was missing in the last romantic comedy I saw, "Chasing Liberty," which was a grand romantic gesture. The Mandy Moore film sets up the situation for the grand romantic gesture but fails to deliver. Meanwhile, this film starring Monica Potter not only has a pretty great grand romantic gesture, it actually comes as something of a surprise in the film.
The story first time screenwriter Eric Pomerance has to tell is about Lucy, who is about to get married when we first meet her. We learn that after being dumped by her boyfriend under circumstances that would send most young women to hide under their covers for at least a year, Lucy is set up with five blind dates over the course of that year by her sister. One of these five, we are told, will end up marrying Lucy and obviously we are supposed to see if we can figure out who is Mr. Right before our heroine does.
We are introduced to the five blind dates in quick succession, which sets up the logic of the film as we cycle through Lucy's five choices again and again. First, there is Doug (John Hannah), a recently divorced entomologist. He is simple and sincere but seems a bit intimidated by the train wreck that is Lucy's life. Second is the steamy playwright Gabriel (Gael García Bernal), who is sexy as all get out and has a stream going through his apartment. Third is Bobby (Anthony LaPaglia) an ex-Jock who cannot believe that Lucy (a) does not know who he is and (b) refuses his moves. Fourth is Luke (David Boreanaz WITH A TAN!) a physical therapist who has plenty of other women interested in him if Lucy is not interested. Finally there is Barry (Henry Thomas), a charming computer nerd.
It takes a while for this movie to really get rolling because the storytelling gimmick gets in the way at the beginning. All five of the blind dates are introduced as disasters so it is somewhat surprising that any of them get to the level where marriage is a possibility. But part of the charm of Pomerance's story is that even the guy who makes the worst first impression might actually be a worthwhile human being. Of course the other possibility, that some of these guys might not really be as great as they seem, comes into play as well. You may have a favorite early on, but it is hard to really declare any of these guys out of the running, until the grand romantic gestures has you declaring game, set, match (and even then...).
The jumping around does not always work, mainly to the detriment of our getting to really know Lucy herself until the last half of the film, but there are enough cuts that work to the advantage of "I'm With Lucy" to make it a worthwhile gimmick on balance. More importantly, the film has a payoff that exceeds the set up, which is rare enough in contemporary romantic comedies to make it something to cherish.
Final Note: I never really heard of this film before and like many people only stumbled across it because David Boreanaz (WITH A TAN!) is in it. But I am not surprised that "I'm With Lucy" was under the radar because the trailer for this film is one of the worst I have ever seen. If I had seen the trailer first I would have probably passed on this film, even with the presence of the actor formally known as Angel. But that would be a mistake because this one is definitely worth a look.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suprisingly good, much better than I thought, September 11, 2004
WOW! This was a pretty decent romantic comedy. We had this in our collection for months (Possibly years) and never watched it. We decided to watch this film on a whim. I have to say that it was better and ever funnier than I thought it would be.
Monica Potter is great in her role. It's a sweet movie that actually doesn't do to much guy bashing (the reason so many guys hate romantic comedies). I am also a big fam of Henry Thomas, and he is great at as well.
I won't go into the plot here, as many others already have. But what I am simply amazed with as many bad romantic comedies that get released in theatres (Sweet Home Alabama & 13 Going on 30) that a movie like this never got mainstream attention.
The other thing that must be said is, with virtually no cute romatic female leads under 40 (and over 18), why isn't Monica Potter more famous than she is. She can easily be the next Julia Roberts, or Meg Ryan. Julia has 2 kids and Meg has just hit the wall, it's time for a beauty like Monica Potter to get into the very lucrative Romantic Comedy genre. Here's hoping she gets a better agent before it's to late.
Cute movie, with a good heart. Definetly made a date night at home wonderful.
-Mark
(for the record 32yrs old, straight and yes I enjoyed this movie)
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shoulda played at the movie theatre, April 30, 2003
By A Customer
Two words: David Boreanaz. If you are a Buffy/Angel fan, then you will enjoy the few minutes David is actually in the movie. David sports a healthy Florida tan and avoids the dark colors he is known for on his TV show. Oh, this is supposed to be about the movie, right? Seriously, the movie is worth adding to your DVD collection. Monica Potter is believable as a norotic New Yorker having man problems. Henry Thomas has grown up to be a nice-looking and even more talented actor since "E.T.". The other three male characters add some humorous entertainment to the movie. Go on! Buy it! Worse could happen is you sell it at a garage sale. I think you will be happily surprised with this find.
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