Common Sense Media Review
So-so sitcom-like story of estranged movie stars.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
America's Sweethearts
What's the Story?
AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS are two beloved screen idols whose films together have thrilled audiences and filled studio bank accounts. But she (Catherine Zeta Jones as Gwen) has fallen for someone else and he (John Cusack as Eddie) has had a nervous breakdown. Now their last film together is about to be released, and the studio is desperate for them to bring all of their star power as a couple to the press junket. Since the studio head has not actually seen the movie, all he has to stir up support from the press is Gwen and Eddie. And the person responsible for making it all work is Lee (Billy Crystal), a publicist so dedicated that he says if he heard that his mother died, he would spin the news by saying how much she would have loved the movie.
Is It Any Good?
It sounds like it can't miss -- a delicious situation created by a guy who knows how to write jokes, with an all-star cast; but it does miss. Billy Crystal, who wrote the script with Peter Tolan, delivers wisecracks, but he gives us television sitcom-like "onesa" characters (i.e., "one's a spoiled diva, one's a preening Spanish lover type") whose behavior seems prompted by whatever suits the scene rather than any kind of emotional truth -- and that, after all, is as central to the success of a comedy as it is to a drama.
A few insider digs at Hollywood and the press, repeated behavior with no apparent motivation, and some extended vulgar humor keep derailing this movie every time Julia Roberts' 1000-watt smile or one of the other star turns comes close to making it work.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the movie presents movie star life. Do you think this is an accurate depiction of how celebrities live? What do you think are the good and bad parts of being famous?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 20, 2001
- On DVD or streaming : February 4, 2003
- Cast : Billy Crystal , John Cusack , Julia Roberts
- Director : Joe Roth
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual references and situations
- Last updated : September 21, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate