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| MOVIE REVIEWS Eyecandy and chuckles Aleks Kempisty
Out of 5 If you're looking for an intellectual and witty comedy then 'Guess Who' is going to leave you disappointed. In fact you may even contemplate its very merits of being called a comedy — the storyline is hardly novel and borders on the mundane, leaving the overall package is a bit dull. Successful stockbroker Simon played by Ashton Kutcher — yes, stretch your imagination to the limits — meets the photographer Theresa (Zoe Saldana). After calling each other 'baby' about 20 times in the opening 15 minutes the lovely twosome embark on a trip to visit Theresa's parents who are celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Sounding a lot like 'Meet the Parents', right? Well here comes the twist: Theresa is black! Oh my gosh! And not only is she black but so is her entire family! Theresa's over-protective, over-zealous, overbearing dad, Percy, played by Bernie Mac, is the star of this movie. An accomplished comedian, Mac delivers a good, if banal, performance that rescues the film from complete failure. Mom's a bit more liberal and is portrayed by the very sexy Judith Scott. This is a ravishing lady who knows what she wants out of life and from her man and she ain't gonna change for nobody, baby! Directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, the movie focuses on the budding relationship of Theresa and Simon and that of the more established Percy and Marilyn. It also explores the battles fought by a prospective son-in-law in winning the approval of his future father-in-law. Ashton Kutcher is great in roles where he has to play a mentally challenged, inarticulate lad who walks into walls, gets horribly drunk and pukes all over his best friend's mom's black leather furniture, but this is a slightly more challenging part and he struggles to pull it off. There are some interesting themes in this flick, none of which are explored in depth. Instead, the usual gaggle of clichéd characters make their appearance including a metrosexual party planner and the rebel sister (yawn). The film trundles along at the speed of a 1920s steam train and never really picks up much momentum. Granted there are a few scenes which will leave you chortling but I don't remember hearing any true belly laughs. This is a movie which will be perfect for fans of bootylicious Kutcher — you'll get to see plenty of the boy. Tweenies on a first date and looking to impress by choosing hunk-quota over good entertainment may also be rewarded by a goodnight snog.
For everyone else, get yourself a pizza, snuggle up in front of the TV and watch some golf!
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