Poop or Get Off the Pot The Bachelor
By Ross Anthony
Wild Mustangs rage free across an open field providing visual symbolism of the bachelor's yearning for independence and variety of grasslands upon which to graze. Crude as it may be, the analogy charges on. By the end of the film, the steeds become brides chasing down one lone bachelor as he darts like a terrified doe from a pride of hungry lions.
The pictorially spectacular intro and conclusion form an elegantly impressive ring box which unfortunately contains a less than precious romantic comedy, that at times is not comedic and even less often romantic.
Chris O'Donnell is TV perfect, but big screen short. Renée Zellweger does a better job of fitting the bill. While Brook Shields blows them both out of the water with her short cameo.
A stampeding horse, the film leaps strongly from the gate, yet the downtimes between the admittedly strong laughs steadily increase as the reels progress. Two weak supporting actors also contribute to mid-movie drag. This could have been due to talent direction as few potent acting moments make it to the screen.
Cutting to the chase, long time bachelor (O'Donnell) falls in love with equally independent Zellweger; however as the relationship nears "poop or get off the pot," the bachelor just isn't ready to ... well ... poop. Still funny at this point, O'Donnell's flawed proposals are truly humorous. Then a flagrantly contrived 100 million dollar inheritance (which will be lost if he doesn't marry in 27 hours) leads to a less than compelling series of finance inspired proposals to his dwindling list of past lovers.
Ultimately light and cute, the middle had me checking my watch.
The Bachelor. Copyright © 1999. Rated PG-13. Starring Chris O'Donnell, Renée Zellweger, Artie Lange and James Cromwell. Directed by Gary Sinyor. Screenplay by Steve Cohen. Produced by Lloyd Segan and Bing Howenstein at Segan/George Street/New Line.
Grade..........................B-
-- Copyright © 1999 Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: http://RossAnthony.com
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