Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual references and language, some drug material and partial nudity.
Starring Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara and John Leguizamo
Directed by Julie Anne Robinson (The Last Song)
Katherine Heigl just can’t catch a break…or she just can’t act.
Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl) can’t catch a break. At 30, she finds herself newly-divorced, recently laid-off, and living with her hamster in Trenton, N.J. Broke and desperate; she lands a job working for her slimy cousin and his bail bond business. In need of fast cash she latches on to his biggest case – a local cop wanted for murder who just happens to be the guy that broke her heart in high school. Stephanie gets resourceful and tough, as she is swept up in a suspenseful world of murder, deceit, with a bit of romance.
It is not a good sign when a big studio movie opens without much in the way of publicity and interviews. It’s a terrible sign when a big studio movie opens without any advance screenings. And when tickets to a big studio movie are part of a two-for-one Groupon deal — well, that’s one for the books. So I waited for it to make it to RedBox…but I still feel like I wasted $1.20.
One would be tempted to call the movie sexist because Stephanie Plum is a dimwitted, can’t-hold-on-to-a-job-or-a-man loser. But the movie was produced, directed and written by women. So I’ll settle for calling it dull, corny and lame instead.
The direction is awful, with clumsy shots and a flat pace. And the script is a total mess, with one character existing just so Plum can call her on the phone and vent. Then there is Jason O’Mara, an Irish actor who plays ex-cop Joe Morelli — and just in case you are wondering, he’s as convincing a Joe Morelli as you’d expect a Dublin actor named Jason O’Mara to be.
As for Heigl, who clearly sees this as an important career move — she also helped produce — well, she’s not nearly as winsome and adorable as she seems to think she is. Actually, she hasn’t been for awhile, and if you don’t believe me, go rent “Killers.” Or “Valentine’s Day.” Or “Life as We Know It.”
Or better yet, don’t. Be smart, and take my word for it. And if Groupon offers another movie deal, skip it because it’s probably a “Coaster” too.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is one scene where Heigl is in the shower and we see partial nudity. There is also another time where an elderly man is shown naked from behind.
Profanity is on the mild side for a PG-13 movie.
Conversations Starter
- Early on in the film Stephanie realizes she is in over her head, what does she do? (she got help)
- Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation?
- What did you do?
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
- Why are two people better than one?
- Why are three even better?
- What can you do to make sure you have those kind of friends?
