Rating: 
Summary: This movie doesn't even deserve a star...
Review: OK, I knew it would be bad. But, I love yoga and have heard a lot about Madonna's ability as a yogini. I sat through this entire agonizing movie to see one 45 second second scene of her doing yoga. {SIGH} Don't bother.
Rating:
Summary: WHY? WHY? WHY?
Review: This, simply, is the worst thing I have ever watched. I did not choose to watch it. I saw it on an airplane. Madonna is without a doubt the worst actress I have ever witnessed. I should not even call her an actress really. She is without a doubt the most unqualified person I have ever seen attempting to act. Her greatest problem, I think, is that she just tries too hard. Either that or she does not try at all. Her characters all seem like caricatured extensions of her public persona. Perhaps she is affected by the fact that she is Madonna. You cannot lose sight of the fact that she is Madonna when you see her in films. Still, from anyone else, the viewing public would not accept this level of crap. The story is about a yoga teacher (Madonna) and her gay best friend. In a night of reckless abandon and heartbreak, she becomes pregnant with what she believes is his child (I think it turns out that the child is not his, but they do not discover this until their friendship sours and he wants to share custody of the child). She eventually meets and falls in love with Benjamin Bratt's character. It is all quite sappy, stupid, juvenile. I have never seen anything so contrived as Madonna's scenes with Bratt. It is a big waste of time and film.
Rating: 
Summary: So bad it's good.
Review: I, like the rest of the US population, had low expectations for this simply because it's a Madonna movie. Her performance lacks spark and conviction, and the otherwise dependable Rupert Everett does little to improve matters. Add to that a shabbily written script (which, in its patronizing way preaches tolerance for gays) and you've got a stinker of a movie that seems more suitable for an airing on the Lifetime network. So why did I buy this DVD? Beacuse I adore Madonna, and watching her in a bad movie doesn't make it bad; it's just camp! While I can't recommend this for the casual viewer, Madonna fans like myself should pick this one up!
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing
Review: Am I the only one who was completely disturbed by the Madonna's character disgraceful deception? (Don't want to ruin it for the unwashed, but trust me, it doesn't matter.) To add insult to injury, we are subjected the the constant references to Madonna's beauty, considering that she looks well past 40 and tired thoughout the entire movie. We are treated to Madonna's moments of flexibility as a Yoga instructor. Be warned, Madonna is now sporting a British accent. The only bright light is Benjamin Bratt, who has absolutly nothing to work with. My suggestion is to gather some good friends and view it for the numerous yuks.
Rating:
Summary: The Next Best Thing to What?
Review: My advice to Madonna - leave the film world to your husband. Madonna's "acting" was painful and detracted from an already bad script. The movie starts in the wrong place: Abby's boyfriend Kevin is leaving her because she's too complicated, smart, beautiful and independent. If that were the case, why would she strip down to her thong in a feable and pathetic attempt to tempt him with her killer body (I'm paraphrasing his words)? I would be shocked if anyone could relate to this character. Who in the world breaks up with someone by complimenting them?How can I feel badly for Abby when she is surrounding by men and women who tell her how beautiful and perfect she is? Her woe-is-me routine is unbelievable, but then she forgets about her "pathetic" love life for six years because she has a son. Poor Sam is stuck in Oedipal relationships with both his mom and dad. Every attempt at humor or connection to the viewing audience is off: The scene in which Abby and Robert trash the house demonstrates how immature they are. The house in which Abby lives is beautiful and beautifully decorated, yet she's a yoga instructor? Abby is so self conscious (aren't yoga instructors supposed to be self aware and positive?) that she is convinced that Benjamin Bratt is trying to break up with her when he is trying to tell her he loves her. I'm most disturbed about the characterization of both Robert and Abby as loving parents who engage in a senseless and annoying custody battle that should have been avoidable if they were truly best friends. They are so wrapped up in how to tell Sam about the situation, but then they use him as their ammunition against one another. A bad script with poorly defined motivations, poor acting with too many megastars trying desperately to portray real people, and incongruent setting and costumes combine to create a massive bomb of a movie. Madonna's insistence on speaking with a forced British accent (she's from suburban Detroit) epitomizes the film's attempts to be something more than it is. Sometimes bigger isn't better...
Rating:
Summary: Madge, don't quit your day job
Review: I've been a Madonna fan for YEARS and I have to say that this movie was up there with "Shanghai Surprise." However, I wouldn't put all the blame on Madonna. The script was weak and Rupert was just too over the top in his performance. Madonna's husband Guy recently said that she needed a director that would "direct her." I think that's a big factor in why her performance was bad in this film; she has too much creative control and forgets to "act." Madonna is VERY aware of the camera in this film and it's obvious. For instance, she never, ever looks bad. Even when she's "sobbing her heart out" she looks good, which is stupid. I think she should have gotten a red face, smeared her makeup and tried to sound as if she was heartbroken. Not looking all glistening and beautiful with slightly wet eyes. However, it was obvious she's been taking lessons of some sort, because she actually has expressions when she delivers her lines, but, man she needs to forget the camera entirely. Take a good look at "Desperately Seeking Susan" and you'll see what I mean. The rumor was the director edited a lot of Madonna's parts out because she just wasn't that good. I can believe it, unfortunately, because she just wasn't acting. The storyline was good and definitely unusual. A woman and a gay man having a baby and then she decides to get married which causes all kinds of problems. But, the script itself was just over the top and bad. Rupert screaming at Madonna, Madonna screaming back and Benjamin just getting caught in the middle as well as this cute little boy totally lost in the filming. You have absolutely no idea who to root for and the end is so "storybook sweet" that you just plain don't care. I'd skip this one if I were you. If you're a Maddie fan, go ahead and give it a try, but I guarantee you won't watch it as much as you would "Desperately Seeking Susan."
Rating:
Summary: Tragic.....
Review: The best that can be said is that this movie kept me watching...I kept waiting for Madonna to 1) figure out where her accent was coming from and 2) let go of the stiff, tense, and downright atrocious acting. Look, I'm not anti-Madonna. In fact, I wanted to like this movie and I still applaud the theory of a "family movie with a twist". However, this movie was truly horrid. The acting was so appauling I cringed everytime a laugh was expected. If you are interested in a dumbfounding waste of time, watch "The Next Best Thing." Side note: I'm horrified that this was the same director who brought us "Midnight Cowboy"!!
Rating:
Summary: Bad written and bad acted
Review: The biggest problem with The Next Best Thing in my opinion is Rupert Everett . He is simply awfull as Madonna's best friend in this The Object Of My Affection wannabe. He fails to be both funny and touching at any point of the film and he doesn't achieve to make us like his character for even one second. Madonna on the other hand might be weak on some of the dramatic parts but never is she as unappealing or irritating as her co-star is. Besides it's actors the movie has other serious faults too. Like the script for example.The couple's kid never seems to be bothered by all those daddies appearing around him . It's like nothing matters to this child . Even when his parents are on each others throats in front of his eyes he doesn't show the slightest response.In addition to all that i have to say i have never seen a court examination as ridiculous as the one with Rupert Everett. These lines simply trash any good impression the film might have made to the viewer until then( "Did you ever perfomed oral sex with another man in front of the child ? " ).In conclusion ,although at some points the film charms with it's grown up dialogues ( between Everett and his mother in the car , between Madonna and her son as he goes to bed )at the end it makes you detest the idea of ever seeing it twice.And that says it all , i think...
Rating:
Summary: Oh dear..
Review: I grew up a child of the 80's and a borderline obssessive Madonna fanatic. I've seen every movie she's made and bought every album the day released. But, boy is this movie lousy. Don't fault Madonna for everything - the writing is so bad I thought for a moment I had switched on some made for ...t.v. flick. The direction is absolutely hopeless (did this guy actually win awards at one time?)There are endless subplots that have no impact on the story, ridiculously offensive stereotypes (the rich old queens, the young AIDS victim) and no characters worth caring one iota about. Poor Madonna. After making strides forward with "Evita" she regressed into this tense, insecure, self-conscious actress. But how could anyone be sure of themselves in this debacle? Interestingly, the only moments of truth are found in the scenes with her young son. She is completely relaxed with the kid and shows some naturally beautiful maternal instincts. There is a profound movie waiting to be made about gay fathers, gay/straight friendships and alternative family units. This, unfortunately, is not it.
Rating:
Summary: NOT WHAT I ANTICIPATED!
Review: I agree with everyone that gave this movie 1 or 2 stars. This wasn't Madonna's best movie. It had poor acting, bad script, and much more. This is definitely a renter not a buyer!
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