Monster-in-Law

Monster-in-Law
Promotional poster
Directed by	Robert Luketic
Produced by	Chris Bender J.C. Spink Paula Weinstein
Written by	Anya Kockoff
Starring	Jennifer Lopez Jane Fonda Michael Vartan Wanda Sykes Monet Mazur Elaine Stritch
Music by	David Newman Rosey
Cinematography	Russell Carpenter
Editing by	Scott Hill Kevin Tent
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date(s)	May 13, 2005 (2005-05-13)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$43 million
Box office	$154,749,918

Monster-in-Law is a 2005 romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and starring Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan and Wanda Sykes. It marks a return to cinema for Fonda, being her first film in 15 years after Stanley & Iris. The screenplay is written by Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by David Newman.

Plot Summary

The tale of a soon-to-be-bride Charlotte (Jennifer Lopez) and her dominating and controlling soon-to-be mother-in-law Viola (Jane Fonda) left to bond while the groom leaves on work - a bond that turns from protest to detest as mother and daughter in-law go at war to see who can win the groom: The mother? Or the Bride?

Plot

Charlie Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez) is a temp from Venice Beach, California, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by Michael Vartan). She thinks he's gay at first, based on a lie Fiona (Kevin's ex-girlfriend) told her. But then Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.

Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda). Viola is a former newscaster who has recently been replaced by someone younger, and is in the midst of a meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, Viola becomes even more distraught when Kevin proposes to Charlie. Fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she sets out to destroy Kevin and Charlie's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (Wanda Sykes) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away.

Charlie eventually catches on to Viola's plan and fights back. On the wedding day, Viola turns up wearing a white dress instead of the dress specially made for her by Charlie. Then, suddenly, Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Kevin's grandmother, Gertrude (Elaine Stritch), appears and they have an argument. Gertrude's resentment of Viola bears a very strong resemblance to Viola's feelings toward Charlie. She even claimed that her son, Kevin's father, died of "terminal disappointment", for which she said Viola had been responsible. Charlie decides to back down as she witnesses Gertrude and Viola's relationship. "Nothing's going to change," she laments to Viola after Gertrude leaves the room, "In thirty years that will be us."

Charlie exits to tell Kevin that the wedding is off. Ruby enters and talks with Viola. Viola is miffed that Charlie compared her to Gertrude; Ruby points out that Viola is actually worse than Gertrude. Ruby points out that Viola's efforts against Charlie, to make Kevin happy, are unwarranted. "Whatever made you think he wasn't?" is her final point. Viola has an epiphany and realizes that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile which ends the feud. Charlie then explains to Viola that she wants her to stay too. On one condition: if Viola accepts the boundaries Charlie needs, if she is present at any family event, and if she treats her children with love.

Charlie and Kevin then get married and when Charlie throws her wedding bouquet, Viola catches the flowers. As Charlie and Kevin drive away to their honeymoon, the film ends as Viola and Ruby walk out of the celebration.

Cast

• Jennifer Lopez as Charlotte Cantilini
• Michael Vartan as Dr. Kevin Fields, a surgeon
• Jane Fonda as Viola Fields
• Wanda Sykes as Ruby
• Adam Scott as Remy
• Monet Mazur as Fiona
• Annie Parisse as Morgan
• Will Arnett as Kit
• Elaine Stritch as Gertrude Fields, Kevin's grandmother, Viola's mother-in-law with whom Viola butts heads.
• Stephen Dunham as Dr. Paul Chamberlain

Reception

The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, maintaining a 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.^[1][2] Jennifer Lopez's performance in the film earned her a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress.

The $43-million film became a box-office success debuting at number #1 at the box office, earning $83 million ($154.7 worldwide)^[3] during its theatrical run in summer 2005.

Home media

The 2 disc set DVD was released on August 30, 2005 with these features: Audio Commentary, 7 Deleted Scenes, a Blooper Reel, and 5 Featurettes:

1. "Welcome Back Jane"
2. "A Jennifer of All Trades"
3. "Vartan the Man"
4. "Trendsetters" (2 Parts)

See also

• 2005 in film

References

1. ^ "Monster-in-Law". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/monsterinlaw/. 
2. ^ "Monster-in-Law (2005): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS. http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/monsterinlaw. 
3. ^ "Monster-in-Law (2005)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=monsterinlaw.htm. 

External links

• Official website
• Monster-in-Law at the Internet Movie Database
• Jennifer Lopez interview for Monster In Law
• Jane Fonda interview for Monster in Law
• Monster in Law Production Details