Friday, June 13, 2008

The Real Mother

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

“The Realmother"


Directed by Alexander Payne
Distributed by Universal Studios
Written by Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, and B.J. Novak
Music by Rolfe Kent

Principal Cast:

Ellen DeGeneres- Judy Glenn
Cloris Leachman- Julie Glenn
Owen Wilson- Andy Wilde
Rosie O’Donnell- Donna Dixon
Joy Behar- Lisa Dixon
Mel Brooks- Poppy Dixon
Jane Lynch- Katie Wilde
Florence Henderson- Jenna Wilde
Megan Mullally- Veronica Bergin

Tagline: "Dig for the truth, even if you miss, you’ll still end up somewhere in China!”

Synopsis: IJudy Glenn (DeGeneres) has just had her dreams crushed by Hollywood and journey’s back home to her mother Julie (Leachman) where she is greeted by the ever so cruel “I Told You So” Dance (unless you are the one dancing). Judy is living the hometown life and is just trying to have a simple life, that all changed when she received an invitation to a family reunion that she had no idea who they were. When Judy inquires her mother on the invitation, her mother tries to hide the subject, but to no avail. Julie then informs Judy that she is not her biological mother. This sends Judy on a quest to find her true mother…

Judy flies down to New Orleans, where she is greeted by her supposed brother, Andy Wilde (Wilson) whom Judy finds that she can never count on. Next throughout the midst of people including her obnoxious New York cousins, Donna and Lisa (O’Donnell and Behar) and their dad Poppy (Brooks), she meets the sister she never had, Katie (Lynch) who she finds to be quite entertaining, but annoying after a while. Finally, she stumbles upon her true mother, Jenna (Henderson) who turns out to be more like Judy than she ever thought. Jenna was once the diva of all diva’s and was quite the partier. She made a slew of horrible films including Casanegro, Dancin’ in the Snow, A Really Ugly Mind, and The Brady Bunch Movie.

When the Press got a hold on the story, paparazzi flocked to New Orleans to get the big story, the worst reporter of them all was Veronica Bergin (Mullally) who would hound all of the family for answers. Showing up at their hotel rooms, barraging in at the restaurants, interrupting picnics, and even knocking on bathroom doors she would do anything for the story. The next question became who sold the story, was it the jealous step-mother, the always high brother, the realmother who just wanted the attention, or was it the butler?

What the press would say:

All I can say is that the second installment of this series surprised me even more than the first. Alexander Payne directed another fantastic comedy that is just plain fun to see on screen. The family is completely different in so many ways that there are so many ways that it could go cliché, but it doesn’t. It was original comedy that had my sides aching. The writing was fantastic once again, and was fully of painfully awkward moments that I was slumping down in my seat. With all the quick comebacks that the characters make, I wish I had taken a notebook so I could write them all down. Ellen gave a fantastic performance that is once again worthy of an Oscar nomination. She is so witty and so charming it is practically indescribable. The way she approached the character was perfect and she had the perfect mix of comedy and a touch of drama. With her facial expressions, her hilarious tones, and the sharp dialogue she was one of the best parts of the film. Don’t forget Florence either, she was perfectly cast as Judy’s mother alone in the fact that they look exactly like each other. Even so, she gives a stellar performance that is hysterical is so many aspects; from the clever lines to those tiny little moments that make you laugh. The scene where Mel Brooks is accused of telling the tabloids the story is so funny because he is as drunk as a skunk and everything about just made me cry laughing. All of the supporting cast was great and deserved a round of applause for each of their performances. Overall, the funniest movie of the year by far and well deserving of many Oscars, The Best Film of the Year!!!

For Your Consideration:

Best Picture
Best Director- Alexander Payne
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress- Ellen DeGeneres
Best Supporting Actress- Florence Henderson
Best Supporting Actress- Jane Lynch
Best Supporting Actor- Mel Brooks
Best Editing
Best Original Score

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