_The_Very_Thought_of_You_ (PG-13) ** 1/2 (out of ****)
It's no big shock that Miramax decided to give a more accessible title to this modern-day screwball comedy, which has been released elsewhere in the globe under the unconventional name _Martha,_Meet_Frank,_Daniel_and_Laurence_. That strange title pretty much sums up the eccentricities of this film, which follows Martha (Monica Potter), an American who runs off to London to start a new life. Within a couple of days, Martha individually meets Brits Frank (Rufus Sewell), Daniel (Tom Hollander), and Laurence (Joseph Fiennes)--all of whom fall in love with her. Little does she know that the three are lifelong friends, and little do they know that only one of them has her love in return: Laurence.
Of course, a number of complications, coincidences, and misunderstandings befitting that original title ensue. But one wishes that the film were as simple as the new, if generic and completely irrelevant, title it bears now. Potter and Fiennes are charming together, and he is proven at playing lovelorn types (albeit not while decked out in contemporary garb, which it is actually somewhat jarring to see him in). I would have liked to see them in a more straightforward love story without all the mechanical silliness involving the other two guys. Unfortunately, that's what one must sit through in order to savor their too-few sweet moments together.
Michael Dequina twotrey@juno.com | michael_jordan@geocities.com | jordan_host@sportsmail.com | mrbrown@iname.com Mr. Brown's Movie Site: http://welcome.to/mrbrown CompuServe Hollywood Hotline: http://www.HollywoodHotline.com on ICQ: #25289934 | on AOL Instant Messenger: MrBrown23
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