Matt (Luke Wilson) and his pal Vaughn (Rainn Wilson) are unlucky in love. After witnessing their leery attitudes and snappy-tragic humour, this is no surprise. Then Matt meets the nerdy Jenny (Thurman), who actually turns out to be cool superhero G-Girl incognito. When he discovers she's also pathologically needy and insanely jealous of his colleague Hannah (Faris), he breaks up with her. But if hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, what about one with super powers? Matt's only way out will be to cooperate with G-Girl's arch-nemesis, Professor Bedlam (Izzard).

Filmed with slick, breezy production values that keep the tone light and gently silly, it's very difficult to dislike this film. Even with the corny dialog, contrived plotting and dodgy special effects. It's similar in feel to Reitman's other comedy-fantasies (see Ghostbusters or Evolution)--a continual stream of gentle humour rather than constant outbursts of gonzo nuttiness. Not that it doesn't go completely bonkers from time to time.

Thurman is fantastic in the dual role, cleverly clumsy and sleekly fearsome, with slow-gurgling madness underneath it all. Anyone would be just as pleased as Matt to have her, and just as quick to run. And her response to being dumped is very funny: all the usual reactions multiplied exponentially. Luke Wilson looks a little puffy and frumpy, which suits the role, and plays nicely with his witty goombah persona. Faris is energetic and appealing as always. Izzard fills his underwritten role with a continuous stream mirthful asides.

In a lot of ways, it's refreshing to have a romantic comedy that never tries to be too smart. We know how it's going to end, and writer Payne doesn't pretend that it's unpredictable, even though there are some surprises. The film just lets us sit back and smile, never foisting any messages on us and avoiding the usual annoying sentimentality. Although it is charmingly sweet and endearing.

themes, innuendo, language

19.Jul.06