NEW YEAR'S EVE (REVIEW)
Rated M - 118 mins
Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro, Cara Gugino, Sarah Jessica Parker,
Josh Duhmal, Hilary Swank, James Belushi, Jon Bon Jovi, Alyssa Milano
It's the one night of the year many can take or leave
but this is no fizzer. You will laugh, cry and probably yearn for more
long before the fireworks begin to light up the night sky. There is
nothing but trouble and desire in this New York City symphony of intersecting
couples searching for, or falling in and out of love on December 31st
in anticipation of the stroke of midnight. By the time this sharply
edited and fast paced film gets to a rousing version of 'Auld Lang Syne',
the audience has been part of the celebrations in multiple characters'
lives. A galaxy of stars and matinee idols come into contact with one
another with various consequences and outlooks of what true love is
really a about.
The cinematic conductor in the director's chair pulling
the heartstrings and nudging the funny bone is no slouch in this area
of romance. Garry Marshall was responsible for romantic gems such as
'The Other Sister' and the classic 'Pretty Woman', while comparisons
to his more recent 'Valentine's Day' will be unavoidable. In equal measure
of screen time, everyone has a story with the imminent arrival of the
New Year looming bringing with it the usual claims of un-kept resolutions
and promises.
Some of the tales include; Hillary Swank being too busy
to attend to a personal matter due to the responsibility of overseeing
a Times Square extravaganza alongside master of ceromonies, little Ryan
Seacrest. Nearby, Katherine Heigl is reluctantly putting the finishing
touches on a rock concert with her sprightly boyfriend Jon Bon Jovi,
the lead singer. A bubbly Lea Michelle (of Glee fame) is one of his
back-up singers who finds herself locked inside a lift with an anti
holiday pessimistic grouch, Ashton Kutcher.
Sarah Jessica Parker is so obsessed with her teenage daughter's
infatuation of puppy love with her classmate, she disregards her own
needs. A nine month pregnant hospital bound couple (Seth Meyers and
Jessica Biel) are desperate to win a $25,000 prize for the first born
baby after midnight and will resort to despicable acts for the cash.
A terminal patient, Robert DeNiro attempts to talk his empathetic nurse
Halle Berry into letting him go up to the roof to watch the city lights
for the last time.
Finally of note, but by no means the last set of character
strains in this ever evolving story. Michelle Pfieffer, returning to
the big screen after an extended absence but looking more beautiful
than ever at age 53, is being serenaded all around town by a youthful
admirer young enough to be her son, Zac Efron.
Representation of all walks of life in the city that never
sleeps with glorious locations and an ensemble cast most movie buffs
can only dream of should be enough to see this. If that's not enough,
a chance to hear Bon Jovi belt out some tunes, Matthew Broderick in
a memorable cameo and moving scenes with veteran Hector Elizondo (the
caring concierge in Pretty Woman) makes New Years Eve a delightful romantic
yarn.
Shane A. Bassett
