Rating: 
Summary: Not Entertaining
Review: I don't know if this is meant to be a comedy, a love story, or maybe yet another of those pseudo-moralizing movies. No matter what it is, it just doesn't work. »Nurse Betty« is stuffed with clichés and there is far between the good laughs.The only plus is Renée Zellweger's not just good but amazing acting. She's so natural, so human. One of today's few great actresses!
Rating:
Summary: A one note joke...
Review: Nurse Betty isn't a terrible movie, but it's not all that great either. It takes a pretty funny concept, serves up a wonderful cast and continues to do nothing with it. Director Neil LaBute walks the line between comedy and drama in this film, but it all becomes a tedious bore.Renee Zellweger shines as Betty, an unhappily married waitress who religiously watches a soap opera and has a crush on the show's number 1 star (Greg Kinnear). What Betty doesn't know is that her slimeball husband (Aaron Eckhart-who was excellent in LaBute's In the Company of Men) is mixed up in some sort of a drug deal and one night, is visited by two hitmen played by Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock. When Betty's husband is brutally murdered by Rock, she witnesses the killing and goes into a state of shock.Her mind takes her into her soap opera where she becomes 'nurse Betty' and sets out for California to find Kinner (who of course, plays a doctor on her favorite show).Nurse Betty is a movie that seems like it's going to get really, really good any second, but as Betty begins her trek to California-she doesn't know about the drug stash in her trunk-she is pursued by Freeman and Rock. This is about as far as this film goes. At first it's funny to see Betty interact with the outside world as she believes she's on a soap opera, but the movie basically coasts on this one joke until the final twenty minutes. It becomes tiring and quite dull. There's an amusing sequence where she meets up with Kinnear's character and speaks to him using only lines from the show. At the same time, Freeman and Rock are on her trail, Morgan Freeman is great in just about anything he does, the dialogue between he and Rock is a little explicit, but often hilarious. He turns in a great performance as his character grows more and more obsessed with Betty. Chris Rock really surpises here also, he is quite funny in this film, but his role, as a psychotic hitman borders on chilling. When the film finally arrives at its predictable climax, there aren't many surprises and one can't help but be glad to see this one finished. At nearly two hours, it's needlessly long and repetitive. Nurse Betty may not have much going for it in terms of story, but if you're a fan of any of the actors in this film, I would suggest renting it. All of the actors in this film shine. There's even a great small role by Crispin Glover (George McFly in Back to the Future) who is hilarious. The film itself meshes grisily violence (the murder sequence is a bit disturbing) with light comedy and comes up empty. I can't say this is a terrible film, but not very good either. Nurse Betty is a film that can slide by based solely on the strength of its actors, it's no success, but more of an interesting flop.
Rating: 
Summary: Fargo meets Sabrina-- Well Kind of
Review: If you liked Fargo, Magnolia, and perhaps Jackie Brown, you're going to also enjoy "Nurse Betty" as a film continuing the present trend in creative storylines. Neil LaBute can join the Coen brothers as a director who mastered the combination of humor noir, infatuation, pain and a bit of gore with a satirical look at soap operas and all of us that find escape through them. You could say this is a Fargo-styled "date flick"... almost. Renee Zellweger's basically plays the same really sweet-girl-looks-for-Price-Charming role you'll remember from "Jerry McGuire". In this film she attempts to deal with a bizarre and tragic series of events spawned initially from her marriage to a loser car salesman (Aaron Eckhart). Betty's favorite hospital soap opera offers the singular daily escape from her own marriage and dead-end life. All that hyper-jumps to the surreal when she witnesses a gruesome murder. The result is a wild ride as Betty departs town... and reality, as her sole means to cope through living out the soap. Greg Kinnear plays the target of Betty's obsession as a seemingly sensitive but actually self-absorbed love interest, much as he did in "Sabrina". Morgan Freeman and Chris Rock are an unlikely father-and-son hit team after Betty. Freeman does a great job mirroring Betty's fantasy with his own obsession of her, making for an interesting twist and ending to Betty's experience. The result is an entertaining ensemble film touching home with our own occasional forays into fantasy. I would have given this film four stars except for writer's and director's inability (or Chris Rock's unwillingness) to develop humor apart from voluminous profanities. The only redeeming factor in it was the contrast it built between "class" and "crass" when Freeman and Rock stood side by side. Nurse Betty stands on it's own without it.
Rating: 
Summary: Zellweger Brings "Betty" To Life
Review: A young waitress in a small town in Kansas witnesses an act of violence so unspeakable that her mind refuses to accept it; instead, like a ray of light reflected through a prism, she takes a detour within herself and enters a reality in which things are just a little bit better and nicer, one that fuses with the world of her favorite soap opera wherein resides the "doctor" of her dreams. Renee Zellweger stars in "Nurse Betty," a satirical comedy/drama with some serious psychological overtones from director Neil LaBute. It's an objective look at, among other things, small town life, the aesthetics of professional hit men, an unhealthy (?) obsession with soap operas, and the ethics of car salesmen. One thing is certain: After the aforementioned incident, Dorothy isn't in Kansas anymore. And her story becomes an odyssey of sorts, one that is both exhilarating and hilarious, and by turn somber and disturbing. Since those with whom Betty comes into contact do not realize that she is dwelling within a reality of her own design, it creates moments of absolute side-splitting hilarity as they try to figure out what is going on with her; is she putting them on, or is she in fact, deranged? But at the same time, even as you're laughing, there is an element of discomfort about it, because you know the truth of it all, and what a sad and serious situation it really is. You feel, not only for Betty, but for all of those involved with her as well, and it's like manic depression; you ride the wild highs, but come down just as hard. As Betty, Renee Zellweger gives what just may be the best performance of her career; there is such a gentleness of nature about her, a winsomeness and pacificism that makes her such a wonderfully sympathetic character. Early in the film LaBute establishes what kind of a person Betty is; she's easy to like and someone you care about instantly, someone you want to see good things happen to. And it makes the impact of the violence with which she is visited all the more profound (and be advised, the scene is shockingly reminiscent of the torture scene in "Reservoir Dogs;" somewhat graphic, but because of excellent directing and editing, you get the illusion of seeing more than you actually are. It is definitely one that you will not soon forget). These are things that should not happen to someone like Betty; it just doesn't seem fair somehow, and the connection that she makes with the audience underscores what a brilliant job Zellweger has done. Equal credit, of course, has to go to Neil LaBute, for creating the perfect atmosphere through which the desired results are so impeccably delivered. The serene, almost lilting essence of Betty's reality, this kind of "Pleasantville" into which she has entered, contrasts so vividly with the thread of violence and menace laced throughout that it heightens the emotional response to it all. He has successfully managed the perfect balancing of the pure with the despicable and enhanced it all with pace, timing and some memorable performances. Besides Zellweger, Morgan Freeman is outstanding as Charlie, the aging hit-man out to finish one last job before retiring. He brings a commanding demeanor to the role, coupled with a maturity and intelligence that adds so much to the depth of the character. And Greg Kinnear, as Dr. David Ravell/George McCord, gives a definitive performance as the soap opera star of Betty's dreams. It is a character Kinnear was born to play and he covers all the bases, leaving no doubt as to just exactly who and what this guy is all about. Notable performances also are turned in by Chris Rock, as Wesley, Charlie's protege; and by Aaron Eckhart, as Del, Betty's sleazy, neglectful car salesman husband. Rounding out the supporting cast are Tia Texada (Rosa), Crispin Glover (Roy), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Ballard), Allison Janney (Lyla) and Kathleen Wilhoite (Sue Ann). Rarely are there so many truly memorable performances in a single movie, and again, LaBute must be given credit for bringing out the best in his actors; it adds a polish to the finished product that is inestimable. Another reason for the success of this film is that the humor is natural and true; rather than being forced or contrived it issues from real situations and the characters reactions to them, and LaBute plays everything straight, which makes it all real. The laughs (and there are many) are born of their own merit; each one is honest and earned. And again, because of that purity of delivery, it makes the drama all the more effective. Well made and delivered, "Nurse Betty" is highly entertaining and certainly memorable; a funny, emotional movie that will have you alternately gasping and cheering. Check this one out; it's a motion picture experience you do not want to miss.
Rating: 
Summary: from nurse ratchet to nurse betty...
Review: Yet another inacurate picture of what nurses do and what the level of responsibility is. Where did wardrobe find the circa 1965 white outfit with the hat? No nurse I know behaves or dresses like that!
Rating: 
Summary: Fargo Goes To Hollywood
Review: My wife and I enjoyed "Nurse Betty" even though it played like a dark disconnected dream. It reminded us very much of the movie "Fargo" for all of it's wacky twists and turns. Chris Rock was hilarious because he was essentially playing himself (and got to say his favorite word about 3 dozen times). Renee Z. was a very believable 'ditz', beyond what anyone would expect of someone manifesting the effects of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). All in all, a bizarre look at someone who is able to block out her depressing life in favor of her favorite 'soap'. Wonder how many more like her are out there?
Rating:
Summary: Made me smile against my will
Review: I caught this on a Friday night, after a brutal week of work, and frankly was too tired to laugh; but NURSE BETTY had me smiling nearly throughout. Renee Zellweger is a dream. The scene when she comes out of her post-traumatic stress disorder is incredibly acted. Greg Kinnear was also terrific, as was Allison Janney, who had all the best one-liners and a perfect dry delivery. The screenplay was constantly inventive. Although I knew the plot, the execution of the scenes held me riveted. P.S. Watch out for a dance sequence on the edge of the Grand Canyon, which the most original scene since John Malkovich entered his own portal.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible movie....
Review: "Nurse Betty" has got to be one of the dumbest movies that I have ever seen! It centers around the life of a waitress named Betty, whose life revolves around her favorite soap opera. One night, Betty witnesses the murder of her dirtbag husband in their home, and goes into shock. She leaves her midwestern hometown to track down her favorite soap star, whom she wants to marry. Betty's illusions are that the star is a real doctor, that she is a real nurse, and that the couple was previously engaged! In the meantime, the two killers follow Betty's trail, when they find out she witnessed the murder. Labeled a comedy\thriller, this movie was moronic, and, at times, a little too violent. Don't waste your time and money seeing this one.
Rating:
Summary: A LOT of Fun!
Review: Arguably the best part of this nifty little movie is Morgan Freeman's performance as a hitman searching the country for Nurse Betty. His is the sort of role that can easily be overdone: the soul-searching, bookish hitman about to retire, on the cusp of some new experience that will expand his self understanding. Were this exaggerated, or presented too deadpan, it would have been a disaster, but Freeman's performance is pitched perfectly between the comic and the serious. Overall, the movie is an awful lot of fun. Some of the humor is pretty dark (I was shocked at some of the gruesomeness I was laughing at), but most of it is screwy and light. Renee Zellweger is hard not to like, and she's as loveably dingy in this as she's ever been. The writing is clever, and fresh. Chris Rock is...well, Chris Rock. Nothing new there, except a little bit more restraint. See this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Just what the doctor ordered
Review: Things are looking up. After a summer of mostly dismal, prefabricated movies, the approach of fall heralds more ambitious fare, such as Nurse Betty. This idiosyncratic dark comedy about a likable young woman (Zellweger) who becomes convinced that she is a character on a soap opera is full of surprises, impeccable acting and smart writing. In an extraordinary, multilayered performance that suggests Doris Day at her most resilient, Zellweger plays Betty Sizemore, a sweet-natured waitress in a poky Kansas diner who spends her days pouring coffee and her nights watching taped episodes of her favorite soap, A Reason to Live. When she inadvertently witnesses a grisly murder by two hit men, she develops temporary amnesia. Believing she's Nurse Betty from the soap, she heads to L.A. for a rendezvous with her true love, Reason's widowed hero, Dr. David Ravell (Kinnear). The killers take off after her. The ensuing journey turns into one of self-discovery for both Betty and Charlie (Freeman), the older, more reflective of the hit men. In her fictional guise, Betty gains a strength she never had before while Charlie, the hard-nosed realist, finds himself questioning everything of which he was once sure. Director Neil LaBute (Your Friends & Neighbors) skillfully steers the film between gentle humor, outright farce, disturbing violence and moments of real pain, leaving the viewer in a delightful and rarely experienced predicament: not knowing what will happen next. The casting of Freeman and Rock adds immeasurably to the film, with Freeman giving it tragic grandeur and Rock contributing comic zing. Also noteworthy is Kinnear, whose preening turn as a soap star deftly skewers the pretensions and vanity of a minor TV personality.
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