Frank Allen (Ryan Reynolds), a motivational speaker/writer specialising in the essential meaning of time in work and life, is privy to having a successful little family. Given that his wife basically decided on Frank based on the fact he had the most intriguing name for his penis (Emily Mortimer), this is quite a freakish accomplishment in itself. They have a beautiful 7-year-old girl Jesse, who is the crown jewel of Frank's life. That is until a series of chance events have him discover that he has been sterile since birth. The revelation casts into chaos not only his marriage, but also his well-organised way of life.
Ryan Reynolds seems to do miles better, when drafted into roles that are more down-to-earth quirky personas. Despite his apparent fandom his attempts at stardom in comiccy roles severely hurt his acting creds, as despite whatever some people in casting believe his comedic timing for one-liners is not good. However Reynolds has a depth in emotion for a comedian, that places him above most other competitors. And that's why Reynolds is a tour-de-force in this romantic comedy with a strong dramatic touch. At least for 2/3 of the movie his performance is captivating and convincing. Coupled with some really fun scenes and relatively inventive ideas behind the script for the most part the movie comes off as a real gem.
That is until the final third. Unfortunately for the movie the scriptwriters chickened out of keeping the situation morally ambiguous - and hence realistic. Instead they decide to keep it safe, when it turns out that Jesse was conceived a couple of days before they were even dating... Despite this feedback Frank is still committed to killing the real father and his best friend... which basically doesn't make sense. The whole script quickly unravels, when the whole plot gets ridiculed in order to keep it 'civil' and by the last couple of scenes interest in the resolution fizzles out. The movie drops any pretence of having some real dramatic message to convey and resorts back to more or less senseless ha-ha's with your obligatory happy-ending.
Very much a shame, but on the plus side I really enjoyed the performances in the movie and would really prefer to see much more of Reynolds in this type of role and less as Barakapool or Green Panties.
Ryan Reynolds seems to do miles better, when drafted into roles that are more down-to-earth quirky personas. Despite his apparent fandom his attempts at stardom in comiccy roles severely hurt his acting creds, as despite whatever some people in casting believe his comedic timing for one-liners is not good. However Reynolds has a depth in emotion for a comedian, that places him above most other competitors. And that's why Reynolds is a tour-de-force in this romantic comedy with a strong dramatic touch. At least for 2/3 of the movie his performance is captivating and convincing. Coupled with some really fun scenes and relatively inventive ideas behind the script for the most part the movie comes off as a real gem.
That is until the final third. Unfortunately for the movie the scriptwriters chickened out of keeping the situation morally ambiguous - and hence realistic. Instead they decide to keep it safe, when it turns out that Jesse was conceived a couple of days before they were even dating... Despite this feedback Frank is still committed to killing the real father and his best friend... which basically doesn't make sense. The whole script quickly unravels, when the whole plot gets ridiculed in order to keep it 'civil' and by the last couple of scenes interest in the resolution fizzles out. The movie drops any pretence of having some real dramatic message to convey and resorts back to more or less senseless ha-ha's with your obligatory happy-ending.
Very much a shame, but on the plus side I really enjoyed the performances in the movie and would really prefer to see much more of Reynolds in this type of role and less as Barakapool or Green Panties.