Movie might surprise audiences
with humor
 By
Anna Herkamp
Staff Writer
You only think you’ve seen movies about con-artists.
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sigourney Weaver star
in the comedy "Heartbreakers," a movie about how women can
get what they really want and need — without working too hard at
it.
Max (Weaver) and Page (Hewitt) are a mother and
daughter team who make their living from divorce settlements. Their
plan is simple, but for some reason appealing: Max will charm and seduce
a man into marrying her and, shortly after their wedding, Page —
playing a sluttish employee of Max's new husband - will seduce him.
Magically, Max will walk in the room catching them in the act. Note:
the "acts" are strictly PG-13.
Our dynamic mother-daughter duo travel to Palm
Beach in hopes of finding Max another rich victim. Max, much to Page's
dismay, picks William B. Tensey, a filthy-rich retiree who has nothing
better to do than hang out around his mansion in Palm Beach and, as
becomes quite obvious, smoke.
The story progresses along predictably, as Max
masquerades as a Russian aristocrat, willing Tensey to her allure. He
falls for her almost immediately, and another divorce settlement is
almost in sight.
Viewers know from the beginning that there will
be a few problems, however. Page has found her own victim in Jason Lee,
who turns out to be a little different than the typical sleaze Page
is used to dealing with.
Lee's character is a nice guy. He falls in love
with Page, but it becomes more apparent that he won't fall for the formulated
divorce plan. Page struggles with the decision of whether or not to
try and con him out of his money.
Despite what the previews made it look like, "Heartbreakers"
turned out to be more entertaining than was supposed. I initially had
reservations about viewing it, but it was a decent movie.
Entertainment Weekly writer Owen Gleiberman gave
"Heartbreakers" a C, but the grade doesn't do the movie much justice.
Hewitt, who has become notorious for roles in the
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" slasher flicks, has finally taken
on a role in which she can be at least a little more realistic. Granted,
"Heartbreakers" won't be up for any Oscar nominations this year, but
Hewitt is finally doing some half-decent acting.
Weaver, best known for her roles in the "Ghostbusters"
and "Alien" movies, does a fine job playing the con-artist that jaded
women everywhere dream of being. Although the plot may not be entirely
believable, Weaver's acting is sophisticated enough to make us believe
she can manipulate any man.
Ray Liotta, who plays the fresh ex-husband Dean
Cumanno at the beginning of the movie, adds a touch of humanity at different
times, then takes it away, his true colors always prevailing.
This movie is a lot better than what it looks like.
It's probably not worth the $8 to see it in the theater, but it's worth
a look anyway.
At least Hewitt isn't saving us from a guy with
a hook.
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