Miss (big time) – Starring Kate Hudson, John Corbett, Joan Cusack

The series of events that comprise this film are painfully contrived. Had I not been trapped on a 5 hour plane flight over the pacific ocean there would have been no way for me to make it through this film. The fact that the left speaker on my airline supplied ear torture devices did not seem to work also did nothing to help this film out.

About half way into this movie I was struck by the nagging thought the only reason Kate Hudson took this role because she felt that somehow it would prepare her for motherhood. It’s akin to a couple having ducks as a test drive for child rearing. I comprehend the urge that drives this sort of behavior, but I fail to understand it.

Sometimes I wonder how a movie like this manages to get made. Actually I don’t wonder at all, but I need some sort of clever means into a notable quote from the film that will shed some light on this conundrum. Upon being hired as receptionist at a “previously owned” car lot, Helen announces over the dealership loudspeaker, “Helen to payroll.” And to payroll she went, it seems that Kate Hudson was paid in the neighborhood or 7 million dollars to appear in this film.

Kate is undeniably attractive and a talented actress, but I don’t think anything could have saved this movie other then the possible addition of a post humorous cameo by Charles Bronson because quite frankly he kicked some major ass. In fact if Jean-Claude Van Damme, who was once sued for “willfully” gouging the eye of an extra in a sword fight while filming, and Charles Bronson met in a dark alley about half way into this film, it could have possibly swayed this reviewer, but alas there was no such encounter and the world continues to turn around the sun.

I’m gonna stop kicking this horse as it appears to have passed some time ago not to mention the plane must land and I have to turn the computer off or risk being branded an international agent of terror and possibly a threat to homeland security.

Best Scene: When the sisters wore red step pyramid Devo Hats and sung along to the song “whip it,” because a “whip-it” is also a method for obtaining a nitrous oxide high. And a nitrous oxide high, much like this movie can cause long term side effects such as: loss of motor control, inability to walk, numbness in the limbs, and most alarming, vitamin B12 depletion.

Rated: PG-13 for thematic issues involving teens.
Comedy and Romance (a.k.a. Hollywood pilfering of movie goers)
Running Time: 1 hr. 59 min.

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