Spring Break
"Because I Said So" Is Only So-So
A Movie Review
Amy Ball
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: Features
"Because I Said So," which opens nationwide Friday, is a light hearted comedy about a mother's dysfunctional love and relationship with her three daughters.
Diane Keaton plays Daphne Wilder, a single mom that has raised three young women on her own. The oldest is Maggie, played by Lauren Graham. Maggie is the loyal and stable psychologist. Mae, played by Piper Perabo, is the laidback and sassy middle child. Milly, played by Mandy Moore is the adorable, but klutzy catch, who being the youngest, takes the brunt of her mother's incessant worrying.
Keaton nails the role as Daphne. She is the annoying, overprotecting and smothering mother we all hate to love.
Throughout the film you wonder why Daphne won't just let her daughters live their life, but then again, that's how most mothers are. You also wonder why Milly won't just ignore her mother's constant phone calls, or why she answers them when she is mid make out session on a first date. But then again, that's how most daughters are. Alas, it's the typical mother-daughter relationship. Dysfunctional, codependent, yet one of a kind.
The relationship Keaton has with her three girls is an extremely intimate one, way too intimate. The foursome talks frequently and openly about life, careers, men and sex. It's reminiscent of the Sex and the City quartet, but slightly subtler. It might be nice to have that kind of bond and kinship with your mother, but it also nears a very thin line. And when your mother begins to talk to you about how an orgasm feels, as Daphne does with Milly, the line has been crossed.
Daphne sets up a very specific and ridiculous personal ad (i.e.- nut jobs need not apply), in search of finding Mr. Right for her youngest gem. Milly soon finds herself with two great suitors to sweep her off her feet. Will she fall for the charming and conscientious architect Jason (Everett Scott), or free-spirited and creative musician Johnny (Gabriel Macht)? It's a decision she must make on her own, or at least with her mother's continuous opinion and approval.
It's not until Daphne finds a love interest of her own in Joe (Stephen Collins), that she realizes she must let her daughters make their own decisions and let them find their way through this maze called life.
Moore and Keaton are fantastic in their roles and their onscreen chemistry is phenomenal. Graham and Everett add a certain charm in their roles of the film as well.
In the end, the plot is a predictable one. It's a likable movie, but not extraordinary. See it with your mom if the two of you are thisclose. Otherwise, skip the uncomfortable sex talk with mom and grab your best girlfriend if there's nothing better to do on Friday night.
Amy Ball can be reached at features@statehornet.com
Diane Keaton plays Daphne Wilder, a single mom that has raised three young women on her own. The oldest is Maggie, played by Lauren Graham. Maggie is the loyal and stable psychologist. Mae, played by Piper Perabo, is the laidback and sassy middle child. Milly, played by Mandy Moore is the adorable, but klutzy catch, who being the youngest, takes the brunt of her mother's incessant worrying.
Keaton nails the role as Daphne. She is the annoying, overprotecting and smothering mother we all hate to love.
Throughout the film you wonder why Daphne won't just let her daughters live their life, but then again, that's how most mothers are. You also wonder why Milly won't just ignore her mother's constant phone calls, or why she answers them when she is mid make out session on a first date. But then again, that's how most daughters are. Alas, it's the typical mother-daughter relationship. Dysfunctional, codependent, yet one of a kind.
The relationship Keaton has with her three girls is an extremely intimate one, way too intimate. The foursome talks frequently and openly about life, careers, men and sex. It's reminiscent of the Sex and the City quartet, but slightly subtler. It might be nice to have that kind of bond and kinship with your mother, but it also nears a very thin line. And when your mother begins to talk to you about how an orgasm feels, as Daphne does with Milly, the line has been crossed.
Daphne sets up a very specific and ridiculous personal ad (i.e.- nut jobs need not apply), in search of finding Mr. Right for her youngest gem. Milly soon finds herself with two great suitors to sweep her off her feet. Will she fall for the charming and conscientious architect Jason (Everett Scott), or free-spirited and creative musician Johnny (Gabriel Macht)? It's a decision she must make on her own, or at least with her mother's continuous opinion and approval.
It's not until Daphne finds a love interest of her own in Joe (Stephen Collins), that she realizes she must let her daughters make their own decisions and let them find their way through this maze called life.
Moore and Keaton are fantastic in their roles and their onscreen chemistry is phenomenal. Graham and Everett add a certain charm in their roles of the film as well.
In the end, the plot is a predictable one. It's a likable movie, but not extraordinary. See it with your mom if the two of you are thisclose. Otherwise, skip the uncomfortable sex talk with mom and grab your best girlfriend if there's nothing better to do on Friday night.
Amy Ball can be reached at features@statehornet.com
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