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Lucy, our heroine, is a disaster at dating. After a particularly bad (and very funny) breakup, friends set Lucy up with five men on five blind dates. The dates span different points in a year of Lucy’s dating life. We’re told that she is going to marry one of these men. By reliving their dates we may try to ascertain which one Lucy will marry. Yes, the device could be little annoying. However, I wasn’t positive which date Lucy would choose. That says a lot about this film. You can’t say that of any Julia Roberts movie.

The dialogue was snappy but not too much so. The film color drenched, but not cloying. Editing was fast paced and humorous. Technically, I’m With Lucy is an independent. In the vein of all good independents, Lucy was made with attention to detail and an understanding of the audience. It’s a ballsy romantic comedy that entertains and respects an audience.

What surprised me most were the high quality actors who provided great performances in this film. First, Lucy. Monica Potter has a pretty rotten track record at the movies (Patch Adams, Head Over Heels.) With Lucy, Potter has finally found a role that suits her. There is one scene in an elevator where Lucy realizes that she has made a terrible mistake. As the elevator moves down the floors, Potter manages a hundred different emotions, all of them true.
Even if you hate Potter, you can’t deny the rest of the talent. The endearing John Hannah as a recently divorced entomologist is sweet and genuine. Gael Garcia Bernal, always steamy, stays steamy. My personal favorite date was Bobby. Anthony LaPaglia can be so slimy and charming at the same time, perfect for Bobby. LaPaglia and Potter play well off each other. Barry may be one of the best roles for Henry Thomas in his adult career. Thomas gets great dialogue and a worthy sparring partner in Potter. David Boreanaz (who got top billing, go figure) gets good points as the perfect date.
Harold Ramis can always be counted on. Ramis and Julie Christie portray Lucy’s parents: meddling, loving, lifetime New Yorkers. Robert Klein even makes an appearance.

I’m With Lucy isn’t a great movie. But it’s a good movie that deserved a bigger audience. I don’t understand why a movie like Maid in Manhattan (which lacked one iota of romance) and Two Weeks Notice (which featured zero chemistry between the leads) can become worldwide blockbusters, and this little movie can’t find an audience. I watched the trailer included in the DVD. No wonder the movie tanked. The trailer was awful. Another example of the Marketing Department dooming a decent movie with a terrible campaign. I’m With Lucy premiered at The Deauville film festival in France, made an appearance at the AFI festival, and (sadly) closed soon afterwards.

If you’re looking for a movie with well-written dialogue, lush cinematography and with some true romance, rent I’m With Lucy. It’s a gem of a movie.

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originally posted: 05/27/03 15:55:39
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