Genres

Visitors Review

2013-06-06 11:48:36

Just Another Romantic Comedy That Doesn't Know What It Really Wants to Do...

Apparently "Because I Said So" is a romantic comedy starring Diane Keaton, but definitely it is not "Something's Gotta Give." Nancy Meyers knew what she was doing as the latter's director, who, despite rather predictable ending, provided constant laughs and interesting characters supported by the talented actors. Now "Because I Said So," directed by Michael "Hudson Hawk" Lehmann, gives us one of the most unfunny and annoying comedies of the year.Diane Keaton plays Daphne, an overprotective mother who, unnecessarily you'd think, worries about the future of her youngest daughter Milly played by Mandy Moore. The meddling mom sets up a date for Milly (without her knowing) with a boy by posting an ad on the net. The officious mother's "comic" turns are accompanied by her inability to handle her PC and her dog doing most embarrassing thing by her side. Here his film is not only unoriginal, unfunny and irritating, but impossible in more than one way. If your daughter is Mandy Moore, you don't need to "set up" a date. Guys would just keep coming to her, asking for a date. Yes, she sometimes laughs strangely and her mom calls it "a kiss of death," but I find it charming and I believe I'm not the only one to think so. After all, it's Mandy Moore.And even if you do seek the right person for your daughter and if you do it on the internet, the chances are you meet better candidates for her date than the stereotyped characters assorted here including the one on the short list played by Tom Everett Scott. OK, I know Michael Lehmann did "Heathers," refreshingly dark and original comedy, but that was about 18 years ago.But perhaps the biggest problem of the film is Diane Keaton herself, whose performance as loopy and overbearing mother failed to charm us. In "Because I Said So" she just keeps annoying us. As if to cover up that fact, the film also contains several slapstick jokes. In one scene Keaton's character is required to do one, a "face in the cake" joke that made me sad. What would Woody Allen say about it? I'd really like to know.

Mark Pfeiffer 2013-06-05 16:37:36

Some of the nonsense could be overlooked as part of rom com conventions, but Because I Said So's shrillness makes for an exhausting experience.

robk47 2013-06-05 08:50:19

what were they thinking...the producers...the writers....the gaffers?

I cannot believe that after watching a daily the director did not turnto his crew and say; "Okay, pack it up...this movie stinks."...there isno other way to put it. The story had some promise for about fifteenseconds. The acting by Diane Keaton makes you wonder if she had beendoing drugs and the rest of a reasonably good cast, except for the notso cute kid, is totally wasted by a bad, no horrible, script and reallypoor directing. The kid's constant use of the word "gina"...NOT funny.The wardrobe person who put the hat on Johnny at anytime in the filmshould have immediately been replaced. The only redeeming aspect ofthis movie was the dog humping the hassock as clearly somebody did someserious humping to get this movie made and this was the metaphor forthat...in a word the film, if you can even loosely call it that wasAWFUL.

chibibunny 2013-06-05 02:42:19

Umm Why would someone comment on a movie they haven't seen the ending of?

I actually liked the movie, and the ending probably was one of thefunnier moments. I like Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore and I thought thetwo of them were a lot more realistic than most of the characters inmovies these days. The walking around with the cake is life, I've donethat many times, granted that the scene in the kitchen is a tadunrealistic, because I would have put the cake down, but who cares, themovie is a feel good chick flick. It leaves the watcher with hope,either that the overbearing parent will grow up and LEAVE us kidsalone, or that we will find someone out there that helps us becomfortable with ourselves. So if you're going to comment on a movie,at least stick around for the ending.

Emanuel Levy 2013-06-02 14:54:28

It's almost hard to believe that this bland, fluffy, two-generational chick flick is helmed by the same director who 20 years ago gave us Heathers, one of the brightest and sharpest femme-driven high-school satires.

2013-06-01 20:11:49

Women - DO NOT FORCE YOUR MAN TO SEE THIS!!!!!!!!!

I have never felt so compelled to share my opinion on anything. I pretended to hang myself several times throughout this movie, i stared at the walls of the theater, i pondered if this movie has emboldened terroists. My wife was actually ok with us walking out, it was that bad. Please, donate your $19 (what i paid for the two of us) to a food bank, rent "weekend at bernie's 2" or whatever was your previous "worst movie ever made" and you'll still feel better than i do right now!

cravensgw 2013-05-30 19:41:55

Belongs on the Junk Heap of movies

WARNING - This movie should be X-Rated. I wouldn't want my kids to seeit at any age. It is raunchy and crude. If I had taken a lady to thismovie on my first date I would have been terribly embarrassed. And theacting is amateurish by the entire cast to boot. The theme may appeartrendy to an unsophisticated young person, but what a terrible rolemodel it presents. That's sad. As a comedy, there was nothing funnyanywhere. It has a cheap script by what appears to be the product of ayoung immature writer who seems to think the public will flock toanything. What an insult. I went because I have always liked DianeKeaton and the title was catchy. Big mistake. Diane, this was not yourquality of work.

Steve Rhodes 2013-05-30 03:30:42

Keaton gives a manic, slapstick performance that alternates between being merely bad and being embarrassingly bad. Her work has an unbearable finger-across-the-blackboard effect.

Vanessa Z 2013-05-28 18:18:39

performances

I had the chance to see this movie at a special screening before it came out and was unsure what to expect. It was a wonderful movie with great performances by all. I especially thought that Lauren Graham's performance as Maggie stole the show in all the scenes she was in. If you want to see a light-hearted, fun and funny movie then I recommend it.

collipal-1 2013-05-28 15:15:06

This film really sucks

Director Michael Lehmann started perfectly with the excellent filmHeathers.But,after that promising first work,he made big craps likeHudson Hawk,Airheads and 40 Days and 40 Nights.But,Because I Said So isnot only the worst movie of his career but also an enormous crap whichbores and is totally unfunny.This "film" is so execrable that I wantedto take my eyes out while I was watching it.Diane Keaton is totallywasted on this film and I think that the only reason she participatedhere was because she needed some money.Because I Said So is a patheticand crappy ''comedy'' that I really hate.I want the money I wasted onthis crap back!Certainly,the second worst film of 2007(for themoment,the worst one is License to Wed).

stupidityexplodes 2013-05-26 01:17:40

Eh well, nothing new..

I have to say that I feel a little bit disappointed after seeing thismovie. From the several times I saw the trailer, it looked to be apromising movie with witty lines, family moments, and romance. True, Idid get all of those, but they are not in their best forms.Let me elaborate. There are some witty lines or comedic moments in themovie, but nothing really well, original or special. There are timeswhen you would laugh, but there are none in which you would seriouslyburst out laughing and think how smart the comedy is. Most of the jokesare usual, and dare I say it, stale. However, let me also note thatthere ARE some good comedic moments in the movie, no worries, the movieis a romantic comedy, it is bound to be or try to be funny at somepoints.Secondly, the family moments are quite nice. The story builds on thepremises of a mother with 3 daughters. Again, some family moments arebasically compulsory. These moments are sweet, in fact some of them arevery meaningful because they somehow go against today's culture thatvalues individualism and minding-one's-own-business. And sometimes theyare great, but sometimes, they seem to be superficial. And I guessbecause duration permits it, they have to only focus on some charactersand abandon some others. Sadly, it takes away the profoundness of someof these family moments.Third, the romance. How can I say this nicely? It's cheesy, it's corny,it's boring. Then again, you would expect that from a romantic comedyright? But then, you would also expect the movie to somewhat cook upthese cheesy, corny, and boring idea into something fresh or originalthus it could stand out among other gazillion movies of the same genre.And I have to admit, lately, movies of this kind have been pretty goodwith mixing stuff up and come up with something nice. But sadly, thismovie well, it doesn't do much, I guess.The most unfortunate part about this is that the movie is packed withgreat casts. But they are not exploited to their fullest potential. Isee someone like Lauren Graham who could be so witty and funny but sheonly says like several lines. Piper Perabo is even worse, her characterseems to be very interesting from what I've seen, but it's notdeveloped very well. Diane Keaton, I can see that she has tried so hardto immerse herself in her character, and for the most part, she isbrilliant. Mandy Moore is quite good here, she's her usual sweet andadorable self. And her character fits her nicely.Well I guess what I'm trying to say is that well, the movie is not THATbad, and if you are free, without anything to do, and some money tospend, you could go see this movie. But if you missed it, well, it'snot like you missed something extraordinarily incredible or anything.

2013-05-25 20:12:50

What a Shame

I bought the movie because Lauren Graham was in it and I knew what a great comedian and singer she is. Instead I got Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore, neither of which gave a very stellar performance. I hope in the not too distant future Lauren Graham will be STARRING in some good movies.

David Ferguson 2013-05-22 03:22:02

A Bad Case of Static Cling

Greetings again from the darkness. It is now official. Diane Keaton hasreached the parody of herself stage. She has become a caricature of hercharacter. The loopy, over-the-top 60 yr old female who screamsstereotype with each line. It was evident in "Something's Gotta Give"that she had made the turn, but "Because I Said So" time warps her intothe level of folly ... similar to Leslie Nielsen (of "Naked Gun" fame)who once was also a respected actor. The difference being, Nielsen isat least funny, Keaton is purely grating and obnoxious. And enough withthe turtle necks and ridiculous wardrobe. No one dresses like that ...especially in L.A. Of course, there is more to this movie than Diane Keaton ... wait, nothere really isn't. The only semblance of a bright spot is the glimpseof potential flashed by Mandy Moore. She really has screen charisma andno longer just looks like a big kid. She has 3 films over the next 18months, so we will see just how she is progressing. Other than that,all we get is "Gilmore Girls" Lauren Graham as the wisest of Keaton'sthree daughters and Piper Perabo as one of the most nondescriptcharacters of all time. I guess she was cast because she looked decentin underwear for the massage scene.As for the poor guys in this one ... no not us schmucks who actuallypaid to watch, I am talking about the actors. Tom Everett Scott istotally miscast as a workaholic architect. Gabriel Macht ("A Love Songfor Bobby Long") has little to do but flash his smile and twinkle hiseyes. And Stephen Collins is evidently the new Tom Skerritt. You know,the cute older guy in all the chick flicks??? The director of thishorrid mess is Michael Lehmann, who in the past has delivered such gemsas "Hudson Hawk", "Airheads" and the torturous "40 Days and 40 Nights".When will Hollywood stop giving this guy money to make this worthlessfluff? I am sure this weak, no-content film will make money ... simplybecause real life mothers and daughters will think they should go seeit and laugh that someone's relationship is worse than theirs. I say,SAVE YOUR MONEY and rent "Terms of Endearment", which may be the bestmovie ever about a mother and daughter's struggles to show their lovefor each other. Just stay away from this one!

2013-05-22 00:53:46

If you think this movie is anything better

than dreadful....than I would suspect it was the first movie you have ever seen. cons:poor writingun-imaginative storyblandPros:There will not be a sequel

2013-05-21 00:46:54

Because I Said So

This movie is absolutely great! Great is Millie's (Mandy Moore)favorite word in this film. All the actors were fantastic but Diane Keaton really made this film with her expressions, antics and her meddling into her youngest daughter's dating life (or lack there of). I definitly give this movie five stars.

John P. McCarthy 2013-05-20 21:11:36

On screen or in real life, meddling moms don't get more neurotically ebullient than Diane Keaton's dessert maven in the regrettable 'Because I Said So.'

Amy Adler 2013-05-20 05:06:12

Not because I say so but, because it's true, this is a fine romantic comedy, so don't you miss it!

Daphne (Diane Keaton) is the mother of three beautiful daughters, whoshe largely raised herself. Two have found the right men and are bothhappily married. But, the third one, Milly (Mandy Moore, lookinglovely) is always striking out in the love department. The men areunfaithful, unemployed, unreasonable or just total jerks. Daphne, whodefinitely lives vicariously through her pretty daughters, wants thebest for Milly, too. Therefore, she, Daphne, writes a personal ad,about a mother seeking a great guy for her little girl, and beginsinterviewing the prospects. After some definite "no-ways", Daphne findsa successful architect named Jason who seems like boyfriend-nirvana.Trouble is, a single father-musician named Johnny overhears Daphne'sinterviews in the restaurant where he works and snitches one of Milly'scatering job cards, too. Suddenly, Milly has two beaus. Guess which onemother hopes and schemes for? This is a very funny, very nice romanticcomedy, despite what you may read from one of those unreliablenaysayers called critics. This is really Keaton's film, in many ways,and she delights the audience with a very comic turn as the overbearingmother who, nevertheless, truly wants the best for her children. Mooreis very attractive and cute as the girl who has trouble in the lovearena, only to keep on trying. Both male suitors are very well chosenand a pleasure to watch, although one also knows who to "root for"pretty early on. One minor quibble is that there are some scenes a bitfast and loose for the typical romcom fan. If you are easily offendedby even a few toned-down sexual situations and ambivalent morals,perhaps you should not take a chance on this film. But, for the vastmajority of the movie, this is a wonderful look at the strong bondbetween mothers and their daughters and the irrepressible hope we allhave to find love and find it true. This viewer will not be the onlyone admonishing everyone who loves romance and humor to see this one"because we said so!"

Frank Swietek 2013-05-19 09:42:43

It's appropriate that much of Because I Said So is set in a bakery, because even in a sea of awful chick flicks, this appalling confection takes the cake.

2013-05-14 06:31:29

Cute Chick Flick!!

This review is from: Because I Said So (Full Screen Edition) (DVD) Love ANYTHING with Diane Keaton!!! Found this to be a very light hearted, cute, quick chick flick!!! Would watch again as it is so light it makes you feel good at the end. Like that feeling where you just walk away happy!!!

2013-05-13 16:29:19

Total Chick Flick

I love love Gabriel Macht! I enjoyed this movie bc I am sucker for romance. Good Movie!