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Laws of Attraction (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

There's no reason to see this movie.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie portrays drinking, including drinking to excess, as evidence of machismo and as a way to bond. Characters smoke, use strong language, and have sex without knowing each other very well. There is some crude humor, including the repeated term "goat's nut." There are also many references to adultery, including references to strippers, prostitutes, the "three-way bossa nova," and sexual addiction.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Sexual references and situations.
Language: Some strong language.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Smoking, drinking to excess.
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More on Laws of Attraction

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Audrey was so resistant to romantic involvement. How did her mother influence her?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In LAWS OF ATTRACTION, successful divorce lawyer Audrey (Julianne Moore) has no interest in any romantic entanglements of her own. She is very tough but she plays by the rules. Her opposing counsel in a high profile case is Daniel (Pierce Brosnan), who infuriates her by being disheveled and disrespectful and -- even worse -- by being extremely capable and very handsome. He is very tough and he makes his own rules. They're hired on opposing sides of a high profile divorce case in which they must fly to Ireland. After attending a festival, Audrey and Daniel wake up to discover they're married. Now, they must figure out how to be man and wife and handle the important divorce hearing.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Disastrous casting, a clunker-laden script, and snooze-inducing direction repel rather than attract. Having the set-up and the look of a romantic comedy is not enough to make it one. Director Peter Howitt made a promising debut with Sliding Doors, but after AntiTrust and this mess, it is clear that he is better off when he's far away from Hollywood studios, and so are we. Situations are not the same thing as plot, especially when the situations are just plain dull. The glossy production design is often more fun to watch than the actors.

Frances Fisher as Audrey's eternally-young mother is the best thing in the movie. But the very talented Julianne Moore is badly miscast and never makes Audrey a character instead of a collection of reactions. Brosnan seems to enjoy the vacation from his usual elegant roles, but no one could reconcile Daniel's shambling Columbo act with his underhanded tricks and unabashed affection for Audrey. Parker Posey as a designer married to a rock star gives her first bad performance and Michael Sheen gives the most annoying performance of the year as her estranged husband.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Peter Howitt
Cast: Julianne Moore, Parker Posey, Pierce Brosnan
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: April 30, 2004
DVD release: August 24, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual content and language
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

nikita
adult
 
I keep watching it
The story is so cute and stories like that are common. People that criticize all the time are getting to me. No sense of humor........
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lisamarshall
adult
 
Slow story
I rented this movie for Brosnan and Moore--two great actors. Unfortuantely, I was disappointed with the story. They both play divorce lawyer adversaries in a series of cases where they often stoop low to win. There is an obvious attraction from the start, but Moore's charactor resists. At one point, they get drunk and end up in bed. Finally, they end up in Ireland together (no surprise to Brosnan fans) and get drunk again. They end up married. Confusion and mayhem continue. Eventually, they do somewhat fall in love and Brosnan gets to loosen up and do what he does best when not shackled by his James Bond seriousness: smile and charm the ladies (he is so cute!!). This part almost makes the rest of the movie worthwhile. Almost. If you aren't a Brosnan fan, skip it.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (4)

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