Rumor Has It

Directed by: Rob Reiner
1 star
::spoiler alert::

I’m not an Aniston fan. I’m definitely not a Costner fan. HOWEVER, I am a Reiner/Ruffalo/McLaine fan.
That being said, I wasn’t impressed. I was looking forward to the concept - the idea that this family was based on the family in the classic book/movie “The Graduate.” Great idea. Eh-ly executed.
It started out ok, a few laugh out loud moments brought about more so by clever soundtrack choices than actual humorous dialogue or acting. Then it went south. There are so many holes in this movie, it makes swiss cheese look like a brick.
After a too-brief discovery moment, it’s onto the interaction between Costner & Aniston.
Costner is supposed to be this ladies’ man who charms the pants off every woman he encounters. To me, a woman who likes charming men, he came across as one-dimensional and bland. Costner, as he is oft to do, looks like he was given the direction, “Ok, here, you’re charming. Now go!”
Speaking of the direction… like I said, I’m a big Reiner fan. After all, he’s the man who brought Stand By Me to the big screen. But he really needs to check his editing after the movie is completely. If I had a dime for every time the dialogue didn’t jive with the actors’ mouths, I’d have, well, about $2, but still, that’s twenty dimes!
Then comes the ending. Secrets are discovered, heavily scarred relationships mended, decade-long confrontations settled all within about fifteen minutes of screen time & one day of real time. It’s not that easy in real life. It’s TOO easy in this film.
Aniston was ok, but I still don’t believe she can carry a movie. Her wardrobe, though, was phenomenal. Cheers to costuming! Costner was cardboard-esque. McLaine was brilliantly funny - she deserved more screen time. & Ruffalo stole every scene he was in - the most earnest actor in the film who didn’t look like he was acting.
Basically, if it were on TV & there wasn’t anything else on, I’d watch it. Otherwise, it’s not worth $20 in tickets & snacks or the $5 rental fee.