Movie Review: Nurse Betty

Story: How does a film maker depict goodness and decency without falling into a Hallmark Hall of Fame sappy 10 factor? This would seem to be very tricky indeed! But Utah born director Neil LaBute (In the Company of Men, Friends and Neighbors) has managed to do just that -- and a grand job he does. This is a wacky tale written by John C. Richards (ex standup comic) and James Flamberg, who shared the Best Screenplay prize at Cannes this year for their work on this film.

The story is simple -- a Kansas (yes, Dorothy of Oz does come to mind many times) waitress, witnesses her scumbucket husband's murder by two hitmen, enters a post-traumatic fugue, flees to California to pursue a soap opera character that she is in love with and is pursued by the 2 hitmen who believe she has the sought after stolen drugs in the trunk of her car. All of the characters are three dimensional and we are treated to resolutions of their fate. So many films do not resolve on screen characters. There are many similarities to the fabulous Coen brothers -- they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. There is both violence and comedy thrown at the viewer and at the beginning of the film I was the only one who was laughing out loud. Yes, I was given 'the glaring look' by other theater goers but by the middle of the film most everyone was laughing as hard as I was.

You can enjoy this film on many levels. It is a unique approach to character, morality and how Hollywood usually depicts these kinds of personality types. It is also a wonderful reprieve from the dreck of summer movies. It is an indictment of our culture and its increasing difficulty in separating fantasy from reality and entertainment from real life. There is much on the screen that is preposterous and silly -- but so are we. Go see it and have a laugh and a think!

Acting: Rene Zellweger is simply terrific as Betty. She could have easily gone straight to the very annoying level but she held her own and is very endearing. Morgan Freeman is perfect, as always. Greg Kinnear is getting better with each film. Chris Rock was still Chris Rock, but was held to a low roar by Morgan Freeman and he definitely had most of the good laugh lines. Aaron Eckhardt (a LaBute staple) as the mullet-headed scumbucket husband was also perfect. Allison Janney, Crispin Glover and Pruitt Taylor Vance were all great! Kudos to the casting agent on this one!

Pets: Two caged birds whose fate was left hanging. I assume they are okay.

Visual Art: I was particularly excited to see one of my own tacky possessions (purchased on a recent trip to New Mexico) portrayed as a switchplate in the home of the Mexican character.

Soundtrack: Very appropriately funny and not overwhelming.

Theater Audience: A handful of people who cold have been soap opera fanatics also. I laughed the loudest. But I should note that I did use my free pass to get into this film. I also had a free drink coupon. So as I munched on my popcorn and savored my free stuff I was probably happier than most.

Quirky Meter: 5

Oscar Worthy: Most definitely.

Length: 110 minutes.

LOBO HOWLS: 9