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Review #388 of 365
Movie Review of Because I Said So (2007) [PG-13] 102 minutes
WIP™ Scale: (1st viewing $12.75 + 2nd viewing $12.25) / 2 = $12.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 2nd Seen: 4 February 2007
Time: 7:35 p.m.
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Directed by: Michael Lehmann (40 Days and 40 Nights)
Written by: Karen Leigh Hopkins (Searching for David's Heart) and Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Diane Keaton (The Family Stone) • Mandy Moore (American Dreamz) • Gabriel Macht (The Recruit) • Tom Everett Scott ("Saved") • Lauren Graham ("Gilmore Girls") • Piper Perabo (Imagine Me and You) • Stephen Collins (Blood Diamond) • Ty Panitz (How to Eat Fried Worms)
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Note: This is a spoiler review. If you would prefer not to read a spoiler, please read the non-spoiler by clicking here.
Thinking, after seeing this film, it would be a great movie to see with my mother and sister, as actually, I could see a lot of similarities and differences (both of which I thought they might get a kick out of) I was pleased to learn they'd both be available for a viewing with me last night. I figured, "great" there's no other new films out this weekend, I've seen them all, I'll write a spoiler for this one and get to give away the ending and talk about some of the things that I couldn't before. As the film progressed, I began to squirm a bit wondering how they were reacting to this. As a guy, I saw the film from my perspective, but here were my own mother (same age as Diane Keaton's character Daphne Wilder) and my own sister (approximately the same age as Mandy Moore's character Milly Wilder) with their own relationship, which has been approximately as rosy and thorny as their on-screen counterparts, and I began to wonder if I had made a serious mistake—not that they shouldn't still see the film, but that I shouldn't be there with them. After the film, my mother reported good and sad tears and laughs. My sister was decidedly quiet. I noticed that she was wearing polka dots—a featured element of the film's plot, which I thought was ironic and curious especially after I had told her how much the actual character of Milly reminded me of her.
In any case, it occurred to me that it cannot be that it just so happens that there are similarities between my mother and sister's relationship and that of Daphne and Milly's as the only coincidentally overlapping one in the world. More than likely, of course, there are more relationships like this than not. So, the breakdown of the plot goes like this. Milly, youngest of three sisters of single mom Daphne, is the only one not married an the only one not engaged in a healthy relationship, according to her mother. Therefore, Daphne takes it upon herself to sign up for an Internet dating service to hand pick a future husband for her daughter. After a slew of not-so-greats, an observant musician comes by and saves her from an encounter with a therapist who's seen the ad and feels Daphne needs a seminar on "letting go" which she undoubtedly does need. Nonetheless, Johnny (Gabriel Macht) swoops in and saves the day and ultimately views himself as an ideal candidate. Daphne, on the other hand, greatly prefers the final candidate who arrives a bit smugly and late saying, "He's not got all day." Normal people would have seen that as the only sign they would need that he's not the one for their daughter, but Daphne is smooth talked by this architect, Jason (Tom Everett Scott) who's been to Italy and knows how to charm a mother, and adores her polka dot dress. She sees him as the knight in shining armor for her daughter. Not to be deterred, Johnny, swipes one of Milly's cards off the table that Daphne has gotten out to recommend a caterer for Jason's company's upcoming 10th anniversary party. Daphne then colludes with Jason to snare her daughter setting her up with her own red polka dot dress for the catered event. Johnny has his own plans as he shows up outside Milly's catering company and entices her to share some ice cream with her after her embarrassing moment with static cling and red balloon that has to bee seen to be believed. Before too long, she's happily dating both guys and figuring out what she wants. Daphne, on the other hand, has decided on Jason and does everything she can to push his victory. Fortunately, true love has the upper hand, as it becomes increasingly clear that Milly and Jason are oil and water. Not until, however, Johnny finds out that Milly has been dating both men and Milly discovers her mother's plot with Jason, plummeting her spirits into the depths of depression and breaking Johnny's heart. Along the way, Daphne discovers Johnny's father Joe (Stephen Collins) shedding his "7th Heaven" minister collar for this decidedly upstanding, but nonetheless, passionate gentleman with the same knack for talking sense into Daphne that Johnny has for understanding Milly's circular logic. They truly are two matches made in heaven.
While my enthusiasm for the film was still on the "definitely see" side, the second viewing did amplify some weaknesses in the film. There is a bit of a penchant in the writing for what some might deem gratuitous shock value. Johnny's son, Lionel (Ty Panitz) unabashedly points out to both Milly and Daphne upon meeting them that they have female body parts and he has male body parts, there's drawn out discussion between the sisters and Milly via cell phone conference calling regarding the benefits of circumcised vs. uncircumcised men, and a Harry Met Sally moment when Daphne ask Milly to describe the feelings of female gratification during intercourse at which she accidentally over indulges a bit. There's nothing wrong with 'graphic girl talk' in a movie, we've endured decades of this from male characters in films, it's just an almost over-doing of it as if the point is to correct decades of inequity in one film. As much as the film screams ensemble cast, really, the story is about Daphne and Milly as each learns to let go let love. This has the inadvertent effect of doing what a lot of films written by men do, and that is to reduce the female characters to window-dressing archetypes or clichés. Unfortunately, thus is the case pretty much for Milly's sisters, Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo). For those who don't like cute coincidences, Daphne's relationship with Joe may appear a little too convenient. Maybe it would have been juicier and more satisfying if she had actually ended up with Jason instead. Finally, the character of Stuart (Tony Hale) who is Dr. Maggie's patient, was completely uncalled for as was his treatment. The film ends with him nearly being squashed below by Daphne's wedding cake. He provides some minor comic relief but in irresponsible ways. Mental health care professionals may not discuss patients with family members of their own, would not treat this poor guy the way he's treated, and his neuroses are so deeply rooted as to scream out full-length feature film.
So, a second viewing illustrates some of the areas for improvement in the film, overall still, this is a touching, funny, film with some great and lasting characters, good life lessons to be learned, and insight into both the mother / daughter relationship and what should really matter when they interact.
In any case, it occurred to me that it cannot be that it just so happens that there are similarities between my mother and sister's relationship and that of Daphne and Milly's as the only coincidentally overlapping one in the world. More than likely, of course, there are more relationships like this than not. So, the breakdown of the plot goes like this. Milly, youngest of three sisters of single mom Daphne, is the only one not married an the only one not engaged in a healthy relationship, according to her mother. Therefore, Daphne takes it upon herself to sign up for an Internet dating service to hand pick a future husband for her daughter. After a slew of not-so-greats, an observant musician comes by and saves her from an encounter with a therapist who's seen the ad and feels Daphne needs a seminar on "letting go" which she undoubtedly does need. Nonetheless, Johnny (Gabriel Macht) swoops in and saves the day and ultimately views himself as an ideal candidate. Daphne, on the other hand, greatly prefers the final candidate who arrives a bit smugly and late saying, "He's not got all day." Normal people would have seen that as the only sign they would need that he's not the one for their daughter, but Daphne is smooth talked by this architect, Jason (Tom Everett Scott) who's been to Italy and knows how to charm a mother, and adores her polka dot dress. She sees him as the knight in shining armor for her daughter. Not to be deterred, Johnny, swipes one of Milly's cards off the table that Daphne has gotten out to recommend a caterer for Jason's company's upcoming 10th anniversary party. Daphne then colludes with Jason to snare her daughter setting her up with her own red polka dot dress for the catered event. Johnny has his own plans as he shows up outside Milly's catering company and entices her to share some ice cream with her after her embarrassing moment with static cling and red balloon that has to bee seen to be believed. Before too long, she's happily dating both guys and figuring out what she wants. Daphne, on the other hand, has decided on Jason and does everything she can to push his victory. Fortunately, true love has the upper hand, as it becomes increasingly clear that Milly and Jason are oil and water. Not until, however, Johnny finds out that Milly has been dating both men and Milly discovers her mother's plot with Jason, plummeting her spirits into the depths of depression and breaking Johnny's heart. Along the way, Daphne discovers Johnny's father Joe (Stephen Collins) shedding his "7th Heaven" minister collar for this decidedly upstanding, but nonetheless, passionate gentleman with the same knack for talking sense into Daphne that Johnny has for understanding Milly's circular logic. They truly are two matches made in heaven.
While my enthusiasm for the film was still on the "definitely see" side, the second viewing did amplify some weaknesses in the film. There is a bit of a penchant in the writing for what some might deem gratuitous shock value. Johnny's son, Lionel (Ty Panitz) unabashedly points out to both Milly and Daphne upon meeting them that they have female body parts and he has male body parts, there's drawn out discussion between the sisters and Milly via cell phone conference calling regarding the benefits of circumcised vs. uncircumcised men, and a Harry Met Sally moment when Daphne ask Milly to describe the feelings of female gratification during intercourse at which she accidentally over indulges a bit. There's nothing wrong with 'graphic girl talk' in a movie, we've endured decades of this from male characters in films, it's just an almost over-doing of it as if the point is to correct decades of inequity in one film. As much as the film screams ensemble cast, really, the story is about Daphne and Milly as each learns to let go let love. This has the inadvertent effect of doing what a lot of films written by men do, and that is to reduce the female characters to window-dressing archetypes or clichés. Unfortunately, thus is the case pretty much for Milly's sisters, Maggie (Lauren Graham) and Mae (Piper Perabo). For those who don't like cute coincidences, Daphne's relationship with Joe may appear a little too convenient. Maybe it would have been juicier and more satisfying if she had actually ended up with Jason instead. Finally, the character of Stuart (Tony Hale) who is Dr. Maggie's patient, was completely uncalled for as was his treatment. The film ends with him nearly being squashed below by Daphne's wedding cake. He provides some minor comic relief but in irresponsible ways. Mental health care professionals may not discuss patients with family members of their own, would not treat this poor guy the way he's treated, and his neuroses are so deeply rooted as to scream out full-length feature film.
So, a second viewing illustrates some of the areas for improvement in the film, overall still, this is a touching, funny, film with some great and lasting characters, good life lessons to be learned, and insight into both the mother / daughter relationship and what should really matter when they interact.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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Other Projects Featuring Because I Said So (2007)
Cast Members
Diane Keaton
• Mandy Moore • Gabriel MachtTom Everett Scott
• Lauren Graham • Piper PeraboStephen Collins
• Ty PanitzDirector
Michael Lehmann
Writer
Karen Leigh Hopkins
• Jessie Nelson| DVD | VHS | Related Product |
| Related Magazine | Related Book | Related Book |
Because I Said So (2007) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Recalling My Best Friend's Wedding, the new Michael Lehmann-directed, Diane Keaton / Mandy Moore film, Because I Said So, has 'just for women' appeal written all over it. The script by Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson introduces the Wilder Women, a sassy foursome of women led by matriarch, Daphne (Keaton) who broods tirelessly over her three chicks: Maggie (Lauren Graham), Mae (Piper Perabo), and Milly (Moore) to the utter exclusion of her own needs. This charming and romantic comedy, while somewhat predictable is written in such a way as to not make one care. Keaton and Moore were irresistible. Gabriel Macht and Tom Everett Scott were inspired casting choices as opposing knights in pursuit of Milly's heart. Aside from the predictability factor, there's little else to dislike about the film--a perfect Valentine's Day treat for mothers, daughters, life partners, and anyone else in search of a little love.
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