Rating: 
Summary: How could it be this bad?
Review: Damn, with this cast, and with Nora Ephron, how could they make a movie that's this terrible? And the saddest thing is that it turned out to be Walter Matthau's last movie cuz he died shortly after the filming. I figured the negative reviews might be wrong, that it really couldn't be all THAT awful - but I didn't finish watching it. Clicked off the TV and went to bed with a good book. Sheesh, what a shame.
Rating: 
Summary: Hanging Up Dosn't Connect
Review: What could have been a very funny and a very moving movie is not much of either. The movie revolves around three sisters trying to make amends when there father is diagnosed with a terminal disease. Meg Ryan plays Eve the responsible middle child who has to put their father in a nursing home. Diane Keaton plays the older sister Georgia who owns a magazine named Georgia and Lisa Kudrow plays the youngest sister soap opera actress Madie who is almost as self absorbed as Georgia. The always cute Meg Ryan is trying hard to keep the film together but ultmately fails Despite sharp focus on her character. Walter Matthau plays the aling screenwriter. He is a delightful old codger who is able to develiver some very funny lines on his way out. Matthau always a pleasure to watch is the only thing holding this film together. Directed By Diane Keaton and Written by Nora and Delia Ephron this should have been a first rate tearjerker and a prime chick flick. But most of the characters are too out of focus to care about them or feel for them. A real dissapointment.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes You Just Need to Hang Up
Review: When I first saw this movie, I have to admit that I wasn't very impressed by it. You're going from sister to sister, scene to scene very quickly. I didn't have much time to understand what was even going on. So I decided to give the movie another chance, mostly because Diane Keaton is my favorite actress. So I did and as I watched, I became more aware of what was going on. Meg Ryan, Lisa Kudrow, and Diane Keaton all give stunning performances in this movie. Walter Matthau gave a great performance as the father. The sad part is, is that this was his final film before he passed away. Cloris Leachman has a very small part in the movie, but the parts that she is in are quite effective. Many people view this movie as a comedy. It is definitely not a comedy. It is a drama. If you watch closely and really pay attention to what is going on, then you'll see the difference. Eve (Ryan) is trying to balance her son and husband and caring for her father. Something that Maddy (Kudrow), a soap star and Georgia (Keaton), the head of a magazine entitled 'Georgia' will not do. They are too wrapped up in their own lives to come and help care for their dying father. Yes, the ending is a little predictable, but it is also very touching. If you're looking for a movie that has everyone getting along all the time, don't rent this. But if you want to watch a movie that shows what true family can be, rent this. Granted, many families are not like this, but hey, you never know!
Rating: 
Summary: Subject matter meaningful for some...not for all
Review: In Hanging Up, the phone is the umbilical cord for the family in this story, three sisters and their dear old dad. While Hanging Up was touted as a comedy, at least that's the impression I got, I'm hard pressed to remember much about it that was funny, it's a drama if ever there was one. We meet Eve, played by the effervescent Meg Ryan, the overwhelmed middle sister in a family of driven, slightly neurotic individuals. Oldest sister, Georgia (Diane Keaton who also directs) is typical oldest child, overachiever material with her own Vogue-esqe magazine, named Georgia. Youngest sister Maddy is a somewhat spoiled soap opera star played to whiney perfection by Lisa Kudrow. Last but not least, is the dying father, Lou, with the ever-grumpy and inappropriate Walter Matthau at the helm. The film has woven together the present with a series of flashbacks to Eve's childhood as well as flashbacks during her time with her father in her adult life. Amidst all the flashbacks, is the busy, crazed daily routine of party planner Eve and her attempt to understand what is happening to her father. She must also deal with a level of resentment towards her sisters for being an interruption into her life with all their phone calls, but not being a shoulder to lean on for her where their father is concerned. Hanging Up does a great job demonstrating just how stressed out people can get. There is regular day-to-day stress and then there is the stress you bring on yourself purely because of a basic personality flaw. I have firsthand knowledge of making stress out of things that don't have to be stressful. First ulcer at age fourteen, thank you very much. I can understand Meg Ryan's character and her propensity for making mountains out of molehills. The most rewarding thing about watching a character like that is watching the "change". Let's not forget, folks, in a movie, the main character usually makes a personal change, has an epiphany, changes their life, or ends a destructive pattern. What is drama? Putting an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances. What Eve does early on in the film is reach a level of frustration that is so high she makes a scene in the middle of a hospital corridor. Why is that so entertaining? Because she sort of freaks out and that's something regular people WANT to do, but CAN'T because we behave within the confines of societal norms. If I'm having a bad day, and I am in the middle of St. Anthony's and start yelling and flailing my arms, someone is gonna drag me to the fourth floor. In the movies you can scream and act like an idiot, in real life people look at you and say, "the cheese has slipped off her cracker". Despite the frenetic pace of Eve's day to day routine and the frequent flashbacks, Hanging Up lacks the same gusto in its attempt to impact the viewer with the seriousness of a dying parent. Matthau's character seems to be little more than window-dressing with his scenes all virtually being nothing more than one-liners from the confines of his wheelchair or hospital bed. I guess I feel a dying parent would be a more significant story factor here than it seemed to be. While I admit to becoming a little misty from time to time during the film, I was looking for gut-wrenching Terms of Endearment stuff. Hanging Up fell a little short for me but I'm sure people to whom a similar situation has happened may have a stronger emotional reaction. However, there are two instances where Hanging Up was borderline daring, dealing with subject matter that I have seen little of, if ever. There is an obvious rift between Eve and her mother, from whom Lou was divorced many years before. We are given a taste of Eve's view of her mother from the flashback scenes, but the real drama comes when, in one of the flashback scenes Eve pays her mother a visit. Eve goes to her mother (Cloris Leachman) to plead for her to return home because her father is so unhappy. Aside from that being a difficult confrontation for anyone to deal with, is the revelation that she's not all that satisfied with being a mother in the first place. Other girls couldn't wait to grow up and become mommies, so she thought she did too and it didn't take. The thought of hearing that coming out of a mother's mouth is almost like a kick in the stomach, which is exactly the reaction Ryan's character seemed to have. Talk about taboo, admitting to your child you wish you weren't a mother. Somebody call Jerry Springer, next topic, "I Wish You Were Never Born". Another explosive element is the basis of the father's illness. His memory and clarity are more off than on. The sadness of a person slowly losing their mind, slowly forgetting everyone and everything dear to them is pathetic and emotionally charged. Hanging Up touches on this hopelessness in a moment of confusion, when Matthau's character confuses his daughter with someone else he used to know and basically, is hitting on her. Eve has to remind him that she's his daughter, not this other person and he becomes angry, stating he doesn't have any daughters. It's icky. But sometimes life is icky and this scene is a blatant reminder of just how icky things can get. Hanging Up finally gets its message across when Ryan's character must basically get a grip and learn when to say when. She can't be superwoman, bearing the responsibility of what is happening to her father all by herself. I must also stress the importance of the sister relationships to the film as well, which I have no understanding of either since I have four younger brothers. I always wanted a sister, but with all those brothers, what I got instead was my own room. Women with sisters may take more away from this movie than any other viewer. Hanging Up isn't for some, great for others. This is one where your own life's experiences will impact your perspective on the film.
Rating:
Summary: Not that bad, not great, either
Review: I just watched this film on DVD, and to a regular guy like myself (I think I'm pretty regular), it was not a bad experience. Maybe it's because my mom and her siblings are currently dealing with their mother right now, and the movie struck a chord... Anyway, I thought Meg Ryan was terrific in this film. In her other films she always tried to be cute and funny. When I was younger I liked that, but then I found her boring. But she's good in this one as the middle child who has the (mis)luck of caring for her dying father. Keaton, on the other hand, is totally unconvincing as either a magazine mogul or first daughter, and she had no screen presence at all; plus her outfit and makeup, which are meant to make her character look younger than the actress herself, are a disaster. Kudlow does what she does best: playing a dumb, clueless blonde. As for the story, it has certain charms, but ultimately falls apart because it's confusing and melodramatic. (Be sure to watch a deleted scene on the DVD.) As some reviewers pointed out all too often the movie seems directionless, and the on-screen chemistry of the three sisters is rather lacking. Funny Evie keeps asking about the name of a "bland" actress from the 50s; the movie just gets more and more bland. But Ryan is good enough that she keeps the film moving and makes me like her again.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Be Fooled, This Movie Is Boring
Review: Seeing the trailer for this movie, one might be lead to believe that the film is funny, light-hearted, warm and touching. Well, don't be fooled. All the good stuff was crammed into that trailer, and what unfortunately occupies the rest of the movie is a mish-mash of poorly written, over-acted, unorganized junk. This movie is bad. Again, the consumer might be fooled by the powerful names associated with this movie. Meg Ryan, Diane Keaton, Nora Ephron, Walter Mathau, Carol Turner and Lisa Kudrow normally would make for a strong team. In this case, they are given little to work with and what they are given, they botch. The premise of this film is good, but the execution of that premise is what makes this movie a stinker. The drama is forced, the comedy lacks humor and the characters are one-dimensional and devoid of any real emotion. The emotions they do show seem forced. The story takes too many twists and turns for no particular reason that do not lead to any real point, until the end is reached. At the end, there is some kind of bonding between the sisters that makes absolutely no sense. Don't waste your time with this one. In case you hadn't guessed, I think it is bad.
Rating:
Summary: Made my family seem normal!
Review: This movie explores the complex bonds of siblings and how they relate to each other and their parents. On the surface, it seems like a comedy, but it has more than enough moments to make one pull out the box of tissues. Underneath the comic relief we see the frustrations, jealousy, misunderstandings and fierce that love that make up the relationships we have with our siblings. It explores love, guilt, fear, anger, happiness and loss with equal scrutiny. After watching this movie, I immediately wanted to watch it WITH my two sisters! It's a really good way to take a close look at our own families and how we relate to each other. Great acting buy the female leads and a wonderfully touching performance by the late Walter Matthau.
Rating:
Summary: The worst Meg Ryan film yet
Review: This movie is not worth you time to watch. I love almost all Meg Ryans movies but this had to be the worst movie I have ever watched. I was disappointed in this movie. I would not buy it for a penny because shipping and handling would exceed the value that this movie is really worth.
Rating:
Summary: Calling on your Inner Strength
Review: While this movie had its weak moments, it also brought out how we feel about our own mortality and the death of our parents. As someone once said: "We don't realize how much we miss them until they are gone. And then we miss them terribly!" For women facing these issues, this movie could be a healing experience and they might realize they need to focus on the important part of life. What I found disturbing was the scenes were Meg wakes up thinking her father has died. She is obsessed with his death and it seemed a bit insensitive and disconnected. There are no spiritual solutions. No faith. The only semi-spiritual solution seems to be to disconnect from life instead of connecting with God and family to help you get through the problems. Eve's mother has left her father and so she is not there to help her daughters. She is completely insensitive to their needs. Eve doesn't have a mom to give her any wisdom or comfort or say: "You will see your Father again, honey." If a movie is going to deal with death, they should also deal with some of the issues of what happens when we die. The issues of what we believe in here on earth and how that affects us in the next life. It is a real pity the script writers put in so much crudeness and not enough comfort. In a movie dealing with such an important and emotional issue, there is hardly any room for comedy. In fact, this is a drama for the most part. Why they try to sell this as a comedy is beyond me. Eve (Meg Ryan) is definitely not in control of her life. She is trying to deal with her father dying and still keep her job a top priority. Her two sisters are very successful, yet have little time for their father. Eve takes most of the responsibilities and finally feels she is being taken advantage of by Georgia (Diane Keaton) and Maddy (Lisa Kudrow). An emotional movie that does still have a point: No life is without influence. It either sheds light or casts a shadow. Only Jesus Christ could solve the problems presented in this movie. His love can make life so much more worthwhile and the characters don't seem to have much worth living for. Since I recently lost my grandmother, I know the fears we have, the pain during our period of loss and yet, I know she is in heaven and that is a great blessing. I don't feel like I lost her, but that my grandfather found her again. Being a Christian gives me such peace and I think Eve would have handled situations differently if she could have been able to pray now and then for the strength she obviously needed. She was so very alone.
Rating:
Summary: Drama--Not Comedy
Review: It's now strange to see Meg Ryan outside her usual genre--the romantic comedy. This movie is a touching drama of an ailing parent and his three daughters. I think the reason so many people were disappointed with this film is because it was advertised as a comedy. Though the main theme is sad, the film also has comic touches. Overall though I don't believe this could be called a comedy. Good acting was turned in by all. Well worth seeing at least once.
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