Director Richard Loncraine's modest road comedy premiered at the Berlin
Film Festival to a warm reception for its tempered depiction of the
husband-hunting Ann Devereaux, a 1953 version of Blanche Dubois
appropriately played by Renee Zellweger. While its episodic form
abandons supporting characters like so many flies on the windshield of
Ann's convertible Cadillac, the movie wisely hones in on talented
newcomer Logan Lerman as George, Ann's cynical teenage son. George's
slightly older effeminate brother Robbie (Mark Rendell) takes a
backseat as well. George gets elevated to man-of-the-family when Ann
discovers her wealthy bandleader husband Dan (Kevin Bacon) cheating on
her in their well-appointed Manhattan apartment. Ann heists a wad of
cash and heads off with her sons to Boston. There she sets matrimonial
sights on former military officer Harlan (Chris Noth), after being
robbed by an old boyfriend whom she briefly auditions over a doomed
dinner. A slapstick mishap with Harlan sends our familial trio on to
more comical romantic failings for Ann in Baltimore, New Mexico, and
Hollywood. The film errs forgivably by constantly swapping protagonists
between Ann and George, but chuckles flourish as both characters
gravitate toward their thematic resolutions.
Rated PG-13. 107 mins. (B-) (Three Stars)
