Rumor Has It

2010 – Comedy/Romantic Comedy by director Rob Reiner

Description: Confused and unsure of her place in the world and in her own family, Sarah brings her new fiancée home to Pasadena. While at home she uncovers a highly guarded, 3 generation old secret, her family is the Robinson's. That's right the Robinson family of the book and movie The Graduate. While trying to unearth the truths behind the story and what it might mean for her, Sarah ends up on a path taken by her mother and grandma. Suddenly she finds that NOTHING is what it seems in her family.

Review: Has all of the prerequisites for a romantic comedy: love, humor, complications, resolve, happy ending.  It’s a pretty interesting story line, a nice twist doing the other side of The Graduate story.  I'm always a little disappointed when the characters give in so quickly... If Jeff had held strong longer it would have been more realistic.  But at the same time, everybody loves a happy ending.  Shirley was great, as always, playing a strong willed and brash cougar! Kevin's character was briefly creepy but over all likable. Jennifer really pulled of the scared and confused 30 year old.

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 7.5
Acting – 8
Romance – 5
Comedy – 7

My favorite quotes:

F    “I'm being sucked, and not in a good way.”

F   “Life is short and marriage is long... So... Drink up - it will make it go a help of a lot faster.”

F   “Mrs. Richelieu, are you trying to seduce me?”

F   “Oh, yeah? You and what lightning hands?”

F   “That's the power of please, kids.”

Lead cast: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Shirley MacLaine, Mark Ruffalo
Supporting cast: Richard Jenkins, Mena Suvari

The Graduate

1967 – Drama/Comedy/Romance by director Mike Nichols

Description: Confused about where to go and what to do with his life now that he is a college graduate, Ben goes home to Pasadena.  He fumbles his way into an unusual situation: seduces into an affair with Mrs. Robinson.  Wasting his days away and flinging through his nights, Ben still has no idea what to do.  Unexpectedly he decides that he is in love with and is going to marry the daughter of his mistress, much to the dismay of Mrs. Robinson.

Review: It is a very good adaptation of the book and the roles are played perfectly by a wonderful cast.  Dustin Hoffman plays a nervous, confused, moody 21 year old well.  Of course Anne Bancroft did such a good job playing nonchalant, confident, controlling, guilt tripping Mrs. Robinson!

My ratings:
Story & Plot – 8
Acting – 7
Drama – 7
Romance – 6

My favorite quotes:

F    “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.”

F   “Goddamn, that's great. So old Elaine Robinson got started in a

       Ford.”

F   “Benjamin, I am not trying to seduce you.”

F   “Mrs. Robinson, if you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is

       getting a little strange.”

Lead cast: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katherine Ross
Supporting cast: William Daniels, Murray Hamilton, Elizabeth Wilson