Gigli

GIGLI is less a movie than a string of over-the-top audition monologues, those random set-pieces designed to show off an actor's facility with language and attitude. Those can be entertaining in their own way, but they do not have anything to do with creating a character or telling a story, just two of the many movie-making essentials that are missing. The movie has the traditional odd couple structure -- friction, the chance to prove themselves to one another, mutual epiphanies, and finally, respect and affection. But it never finds any tone or direction or believable connection between the characters.

Larry and Ricki are one-dimensional characters, their bickering has no spark, and the evolution of their relationship isn't believable because they're just attributes and attitude, with no internal consistency. Meanwhile, Christopher Walken (as a cop) and Al Pacino (as a crime boss) drop by for showy scenes that have some verve but add nothing to the plot, tone, or themes of the movie. Indeed, there really is nothing that could be called plot, tone, or theme in this movie. It's not the worst movie ever. It's not even the worst movie of the year. And it's not as bad as the Jen/Ben backlash want it to be. But it is not a good movie, and it is a terrible waste of talent.