Monster-in-Law
Encyclopedia
Monster-in-Law is a 2005 romantic comedy film
directed by Robert Luketic
and starring Jennifer Lopez
, Jane Fonda
, Michael Vartan
and Wanda Sykes
. It marks a return to cinema for Fonda, being her first film in 15 years after Stanley & Iris. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by David Newman
.
) and her dominating and controlling soon-to-be mother-in-law Viola (Jane Fonda
) left to bond while the groom leaves on work - a bond that turns from protest to detest as mother and daughter in-law go at war to see who can win the groom: The mother? Or the Bride?
) is a temp
from Venice Beach
, California
, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by Michael Vartan
). She thinks he's gay at first, based on a lie Fiona (Kevin's ex-girlfriend) told her. But then Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.
Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda
). Viola is a former newscaster who has recently been replaced by someone younger, and is in the midst of a meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, Viola becomes even more distraught when Kevin proposes to Charlie. Fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she sets out to destroy Kevin and Charlie's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (Wanda Sykes
) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away.
Charlie eventually catches on to Viola's plan and fights back. On the wedding day, Viola turns up wearing a white dress instead of the dress specially made for her by Charlie. Then, suddenly, Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Kevin's grandmother, Gertrude (Elaine Stritch
), appears and they have an argument. Gertrude's resentment of Viola bears a very strong resemblance to Viola's feelings toward Charlie. She even claimed that her son, Kevin's father, who had, apparently died years ago, died of "terminal disappointment", for which Gerturde holds Viola responsible. Charlie decides to back down as she witnesses Gertrude and Viola's relationship. "Nothing's going to change," she laments to Viola after Gertrude leaves the room, "In thirty years that will be us."
Charlie exits to tell Kevin that the wedding is off. Ruby enters and talks with Viola. Viola is miffed that Charlie compared her to Gertrude; Ruby points out that Viola is actually worse than Gertrude. Ruby points out that Viola's efforts against Charlie, to make Kevin happy, are unwarranted. "Whatever made you think he wasn't?" is her final point. Viola has an epiphany
and realizes that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile which ends the feud. Charlie then explains to Viola that she wants her to stay too. On one condition: if Viola accepts the boundaries Charlie needs, if she is present at any family event, and if she treats her children with love.
Charlie and Kevin then get married and when Charlie throws her wedding bouquet, Viola catches the flowers. As Charlie and Kevin drive away to their honeymoon, the film ends as Viola and Ruby walk out of the celebration.
. Jennifer Lopez's performance in the film earned her a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.
The $43-million film became a box-office success debuting at number #1 at the box office, earning $83 million ($154.7 worldwide) during its theatrical run in summer 2005.
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
directed by Robert Luketic
Robert Luketic
Robert Luketic is an Australian film director. He directed the films Monster-in-Law, Legally Blonde and 21.-Early life:...
and starring Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
, Michael Vartan
Michael Vartan
Michael S. Vartan is a French-American film and television actor. He is probably best known for the role of Michael Vaughn on the American television action drama Alias...
and Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes is an American writer, stand-up comedian, actress, and voice artist. She earned the 1999 Emmy Award for her writing on The Chris Rock Show. In 2004 Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America...
. It marks a return to cinema for Fonda, being her first film in 15 years after Stanley & Iris. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by David Newman
David Newman (composer)
David Louis Newman is an American composer and conductor known particularly for his film scores. In a career spanning nearly forty years, he has composed music for nearly 100 feature films.-Life and career:...
.
Plot Summary
The tale of a soon-to-be-bride Charlotte (Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
) and her dominating and controlling soon-to-be mother-in-law Viola (Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
) left to bond while the groom leaves on work - a bond that turns from protest to detest as mother and daughter in-law go at war to see who can win the groom: The mother? Or the Bride?
Plot
Charlie Cantilini (Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
) is a temp
Temporary work
Temporary work or temporary employment refers to a situation where the employee is expected to leave the employer within a certain period of time. Temporary employees are sometimes called "contractual", "seasonal", "interim", "casual staff", "freelance", or "part-time"; or the word may be shortened...
from Venice Beach
Venice, Los Angeles, California
Venice is a beachfront district on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for its canals, beaches and circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, fortune-tellers, artists, and vendors...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by Michael Vartan
Michael Vartan
Michael S. Vartan is a French-American film and television actor. He is probably best known for the role of Michael Vaughn on the American television action drama Alias...
). She thinks he's gay at first, based on a lie Fiona (Kevin's ex-girlfriend) told her. But then Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.
Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
). Viola is a former newscaster who has recently been replaced by someone younger, and is in the midst of a meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, Viola becomes even more distraught when Kevin proposes to Charlie. Fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she sets out to destroy Kevin and Charlie's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes is an American writer, stand-up comedian, actress, and voice artist. She earned the 1999 Emmy Award for her writing on The Chris Rock Show. In 2004 Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America...
) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away.
Charlie eventually catches on to Viola's plan and fights back. On the wedding day, Viola turns up wearing a white dress instead of the dress specially made for her by Charlie. Then, suddenly, Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Kevin's grandmother, Gertrude (Elaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch is an American actress and vocalist. She has appeared in numerous stage plays and musicals, feature films, and many television programs...
), appears and they have an argument. Gertrude's resentment of Viola bears a very strong resemblance to Viola's feelings toward Charlie. She even claimed that her son, Kevin's father, who had, apparently died years ago, died of "terminal disappointment", for which Gerturde holds Viola responsible. Charlie decides to back down as she witnesses Gertrude and Viola's relationship. "Nothing's going to change," she laments to Viola after Gertrude leaves the room, "In thirty years that will be us."
Charlie exits to tell Kevin that the wedding is off. Ruby enters and talks with Viola. Viola is miffed that Charlie compared her to Gertrude; Ruby points out that Viola is actually worse than Gertrude. Ruby points out that Viola's efforts against Charlie, to make Kevin happy, are unwarranted. "Whatever made you think he wasn't?" is her final point. Viola has an epiphany
Epiphany (feeling)
An epiphany is the sudden realization or comprehension of the essence or meaning of something...
and realizes that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile which ends the feud. Charlie then explains to Viola that she wants her to stay too. On one condition: if Viola accepts the boundaries Charlie needs, if she is present at any family event, and if she treats her children with love.
Charlie and Kevin then get married and when Charlie throws her wedding bouquet, Viola catches the flowers. As Charlie and Kevin drive away to their honeymoon, the film ends as Viola and Ruby walk out of the celebration.
Cast
- Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
as Charlotte Cantilini - Michael VartanMichael VartanMichael S. Vartan is a French-American film and television actor. He is probably best known for the role of Michael Vaughn on the American television action drama Alias...
as Dr. Kevin Fields, a surgeon - Jane FondaJane FondaJane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
as Viola Fields - Wanda SykesWanda SykesWanda Sykes is an American writer, stand-up comedian, actress, and voice artist. She earned the 1999 Emmy Award for her writing on The Chris Rock Show. In 2004 Entertainment Weekly named Sykes as one of the 25 funniest people in America...
as Ruby - Adam ScottAdam Scott (actor)Adam Scott is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Henry Pollard in the Starz comedy series Party Down and as Ben Wyatt in the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation....
as Remy - Monet MazurMonet MazurMonet Happy Mazur is an American actress, model and musician.-Personal life:Mazur was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Ruby Mazur, an illustrator who has worked in the record industry and at one time was the manager of Billy Joel. Mazur has four siblings: Nicholas, Cézanne, Matisse...
as Fiona - Annie ParisseAnnie ParisseAnne Marie Cancelmi , known as Annie Parisse, is an American television, film, and theater actress, known for playing Alexandra Borgia on the television drama Law & Order, a role she played from 2005 until 2006 in 33 episodes. Parisse is also known for her role of Julia Lindsey Snyder on the...
as Morgan - Will ArnettWill ArnettWilliam Emerson "Will" Arnett is a Canadian actor and comedian best known for his role as George Oscar "G.O.B." Bluth II on the Fox comedy Arrested Development. He is also known for his role as Devon Banks on the NBC comedy 30 Rock. Since his success on Arrested Development, Arnett has landed major...
as Kit - Elaine StritchElaine StritchElaine Stritch is an American actress and vocalist. She has appeared in numerous stage plays and musicals, feature films, and many television programs...
as Gertrude Fields, Kevin's grandmother, Viola's mother-in-law with whom Viola butts heads. - Stephen DunhamStephen DunhamStephen Dunham is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Edward Pillows in DAG. He is married to actress Alexondra Lee.- Career :...
as Dr. Paul Chamberlain
Reception
The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, maintaining a 16% rating on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. Jennifer Lopez's performance in the film earned her a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.
The $43-million film became a box-office success debuting at number #1 at the box office, earning $83 million ($154.7 worldwide) during its theatrical run in summer 2005.
Home media
The 2 disc set DVD was released on August 30, 2005 with these features: Audio Commentary, 7 Deleted Scenes, a Blooper Reel, and 5 Featurettes:- "Welcome Back Jane"
- "A Jennifer of All Trades"
- "Vartan the Man"
- "Trendsetters" (2 Parts)