Rating: 
Summary: The next to the last best thing!
Review: I'm giving this movie three stars because the first hour was awesome! I was even contemplating adding it to my collection! Unfortunately, comedy does turn to tragedy by the third act! And, as another reviewer stated, how did two "BEST FRIENDS" wind up in court with a custody battle? Would best friends really let things get to that point? In the end, I'm left thinking that this was just another publicity oportunity for Madonna. Creativity was not even needed, as aspects of Madonna's real life were sprinkled throughout the movie. Abbie (Madonna) is a yoga instructor, surrounded by sexy men, has an illigitimate child, and has a gay best friend! Isn't that a clear reflection of Madonna's real life? Madonna should stick with the music...and so should Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, and Bon Jovi! God help me when the movies featuring N'Sync/Britney Spears come to the theaters!
Rating:
Summary: Not as horrible as I thought, but still nothing special
Review: I wanted to hate this movie because I'm no fan of Madonna, but also because its platitudes against traditional families are themselves old fashioned. (It's hard to get uptight when the biggest act of rebellion the friends of an AIDS victim can aspire to is to break into a slow chorus of "American Pie at his funeral). In the film, Maddona and Rupert Everett play best friends in a dreamy LA when, one night in a drunken frenzy, they conceive a baby and decide to stick it out. Not amrrying, they decide to become parents nonetheless, never realizing how these seemingly unconnected aspects of their relationship will tear them apart. After a few years pass, and the baby grows into boyhood, Abbie's (Madonna) relationship with an ambitious but otherwise completely genial investment banker (Ben Bratt) threatens to tear apart what was never a solidly defined family. A court battle ensues, ala Kramer v. Kramer, and it's never clear which side is supposed to be representing the love of a child over family convention.The plot never really gels, and Rupert Everett's charachter loses something in the last third when he becomes more confrontational, and less fun-loving than in the film's opening (or in "My Best Friend's Wedding"). Maddonna is a revelation, though. She can't act, but Abbie's charachter touches a nerve that not even Maddonna can resist: aging. When you watch Abbie grouse over wrinkles and sagging in a mirror, sadly admitting it's not 1989 anymore, you'll be willing to forgive every line of cheesy acting she's ever read. It's almost enough to mke we want to rent "Shanghai Surprise."
Rating: 
Summary: SYMPHATIC,EASYGOING AND ENJOYABLE FILM
Review: I really liked this movie. It is very relaxing and funny. I didn't like when they turned it into drama near the end. The cast is brilliant. Rupert was his usual funny self, Benjamin was OK and Madonna...Hm..hm...She was brilliant in some parts. She must of had an acting coach. For example: she showed us great acting in the restaurant scene and when she came home from her date. Also, when she met Ben Bratt's character. the scenes with the child were also great. Madonna showed her talent for children,it's not like she didn't have any practice. The scenes where Madonna's acting isn't so good are: The 4th of July dance with Rupert's character.It's obvious that it's just an act. Also the scenes where Abbie is suposed to cry or to be upset. Madonna just wasn't very convincable in those scenes. She really doesn't know how to act that out in a film. All in all, she had more acting highlights then downfalls in this movie and I was plesently surprised. You should really see this movie,not even that-BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, But...
Review: The storyline was superb. Rupert was great. But Madonna...what were you thinking??? Her accent annoyed me throughout the whole movie. Is she American??? Is she English??? The cross between sounds Australian which is irritating. Apart from Madonna's terrible acting, this movie is held together pretty well.
Rating: 
Summary: The Next Best Thing
Review: What are people whining about? Yes, the story and the script work could have been better, but if you get around that, you will find this movie utterly enjoyable. The only major flaw is the whole custody battle ending. I did ask myself, if these people where truly best friends, couldn't they just work out a compromise? If they did, then there would be no last 30 minutes of the film. But with wonderful performances by Madonna, Rupert Everett, and Benjamin Bratt, despite writing flaws, make this movie worthwhile. Madonna stars as Abbie, a yoga instructor who has just broken up with her boyfriend, and is desperate for a man. One night, she and her gay best friend Robert (Everett) get drunk, and accidently stumble into bed. Later, we find out that Abbie is pregnant, and assuming that Robert is the father, they reach an agreement to raise the child together. Six years later, Abbie meets a man named Ben (Bratt), whom she wants to raise the child with. From here, a custody battle ensues. Overall, this a very nice film. I found the film to be enjoyable. I did like Madonna's magnificant take on Don Mclean's "American Pie". Overall Grade: A
Rating: 
Summary: I was Embarrassed!
Review: I am a huge Madonna fan. I love her music...I think I own every CD she has ever done, along with virtually every movie.. including this one (unfortunately). I read that this movie was supossed to be a sequel to "My Best Friends Wedding," and that Julia Roberts was offered the part and dodged it. I can see why. This movie was thrown together, and many of the people in it are not even part of the story line. Although I could follow the story line (the plot is not that difficult to undertand) most of the movie carried no logic. It flowed like broken glass, and felt like it too! The characters are completely stupid, and their behavior is very odd. I was embarrassed, and almost didn't finish the movie. (That is saying a lot, considering how much I love Madonna.) Even the ending was bad, but I was glad it was over! If I ever watch it again, it will only be to see the "American Pie" video.
Rating:
Summary: The Next Best Thing is Avoiding This Film...
Review: ...the best would be if it was never made as it was. Thestory idea is silly. ... Rupert Everett plays a very stereotypicalgay man and Madonna plays a self-absorbed yoga teacher. Their actingis mediocre since the material they are working with is terrible.When the woman's first boyfriend in the movie dumps her, he also heapston of praise on her which sounds more like character description in aHarlequin novel. Another poor facet of the writing is the use ofneedless characters. What did Neal Patrick Harris' character even addto the film? What of the man who died? It seemed as if the dead manwas only mentioned so the characters would have an excuse to sing, asMadonna's character called it, "Don McLean's 'AmericanPie'," which seems as silly as refering to a song as "PaulMcCartney's 'Yesterday'." Well, okay, Rupert's acting isterrible due to the writing. With Madonna, we also get to hear thatannoying ever-changing fake Brit accent in the film. There were somegood things about this film. Madonna contributed a wonderful originalsong, "Time Stood Still." The cinematography was alsostrong. So I guess if one could mute the film except for the onesong, it'd be a decent film. It's hard to believe that the directorwas ever an Oscar contender by looking at this film atrocity. As forthe DVD itself, I wasn't able to get the trailers to work on one of myDVD players. The featurette gives more praise to the film than anactual "making-of" would have done, tho. If you're adie-hard Madonna fan, you'll probaby want this movie, but it is amongher worst (Considering that list includes "Foor Rooms" and"Shanghai Surprise" that is no easy feat). How RupertEverett could be a part of this is beyond me. But overall, it's a sadrevelation of just how far director John Schlesinger fell.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie with Madonna
Review: This is a very good film. It's also got the video for Madonna's take on "American Pie" which is an added bonus. If you like Madonna you should get this movie. You should get this gem of a DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Not necessarily a waste, but real close
Review: I wasn't expecting a great movie from the likes of Madonna (although I do believe her to be a great performer on the music stage), but I did think I would get more than poor acting and crummy script. I was also surprised to see this type of work from the likes of Rupert Evert, but once Ben Bratt showed up and his performance was just as shaky, I realized that it was entire chemistry of the film. There was no continuity, and I swear there were times when it seemed Madonna was on the verge of tripping up her lines. Not to mention the fact that they had a child around 9 years old playing a character that was supposed to be 5 or 6. How stupid do they think the viewing audience is? I won't be recommending this to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: So What's The "Next Best Thing"?
Review: After watching this DVD I felt like asking what would be the "next best thing" -- hopefully a better movie. At best this is a mediocre film, a fairly ineffective mix of comedy, drama, and romance. Despite being friends in real life, Madonna and Rupert Everett have little chemistry (Everett was a much more appealing gay gal pal to Julia Roberts in "My Best Friend's Wedding"). We know these actors (along with Benjamin Bratt) can do better and perhaps it is the script that is to blame. Towards the end of the movie there is a sudden plot twist -- if the viewing audience was clued into this earlier it would have created more tension until it was eventually unveiled. While it is a betrayal to one of the characters it is likewise one to viewers. Without giving anything away, the turn of events is based on something that should have been common knowledge to any informed/involved parent (which the movie professes both parties are). Additionally, there are the usual (and admittedly nit-picky) film head-scratchers like how could a yoga instructor possibly afford a beautiful home like that in LA area? The extras on this DVD are fairly negligible. There are extended interviews with the cast and director (Madonna seems a bit on guard) and Madonna's video for "American Pie" (Interesting cover version or musical blasphemy? You make the call!). Overall, a disappointment for the talent involved.
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