“A DOUBLE DOSE OF CHAOS”
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman and Victor Garber
Directed by: Andy Fickman
MPAA Rating: PG for brief mild language and rude behavior.
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 1hr 30min
Release Date: September 24, 2010
Distributed by: Touchstone Pictures
By John Delia
Delightfully catchy, You Again matches up very good talent to characters like Disney did with Freaky Friday and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. The film moves along at a fast clip using situation comedy at it’s best. Although it tends to be a ‘chick flick,’ it should be amusing enough for the males in the family as well.
The film centers on Marni (Kristen Bell) a self-made woman who has reached a power position in her publicity firm. However, it has not always been that way in her life, often taking verbal abuse due to her acne and nerd fashion look from her classmates in high school to the extent of being an outcast. Now a raving beauty and recently been promoted she stops off at her hometown to attend the wedding of her brother Will (James Wolk). She finds out that the person her brother is marrying, Joanna (Odette Yustman), happens to be her major antagonist from high school and things start getting out of control. When her mother’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) best friend who she had a falling out with in High School turns out to be Joanna’s aunt Ramona (Sigourney Weaver), a double dose of chaos develops.
Director Andy Fickman does a superb job of keeping the comedy rolling while controlling the multi talented prominent actors all vying for screen presence. Her ability to lead the audience into situations that are unexpected helps deliver the comedic punch. Although predictable at times, the fun is getting to the sweet ending.
Standouts in the acting corps include Victor Garber as Marni’s offbeat dad, Betty White as Marni’s very funny grandma Bunny, and Odette Yustman as Marni’s nemesis. Topping the support however is Kyle Bornheimer as Tim the ex-fiancé of Joanna who steels the show at the rehearsal dinner.
You Again is rated PG for brief mild language and rude behavior, this noted it should be safe for mature members of the family.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A family film that makes chaos funny. (4 of 5)