ONE FINE DAY
A film review by Larry McGillicuddy
Copyright 1997 Larry McGillicuddy
** (out of 4) Directed by Michael Hoffman Starring George Clooney, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charles Durning, Sheila Kelley
One Fine Day must've seemed like a great idea at the time. Let's pair up Hollywood's latest heartthrob with Michelle Pfeiffer. I can see why the studio and the stars fell for it. Heck, I even fell for the idea. I was eagerly anticipating this movie. Unfortunately, the movie is empty, unfunny, and unromantic until the last 10 minutes.
Clooney stars as Jack Taylor, a newspaper columnist whose picture is on alot of busses. His wife drops his daughter off because she is going on a honeymoon with her new husband. Jack receives very specific instructions to call Melanie Parker and let her know if she doesn't need to pick his daughter up for a feild trip. Obviously, Jack forgets, and both Jack's daughter and Melanie's son miss the feild trip. This begins a long day (especially for the viewer) where they go on misadventures around the city with their kids, while trying to get their jobs done.
The first problem with the movie is it actually thinks we care wether or not Melanie and Jack are able to get their jobs done in time. It also thinks we care that Melanie's son has a deadbeat father who is touring with Springsteen. I cared about Melanie and Jack, because Clooney and Pfeiffer make them into interesting characters that I would like to see together. Unfortunately, the movie throws in a dozen subplots, few of which are interesting. I mean, I don't care if Melanie's son likes to stick things up his nose. I don't care if Jack's daughter has a penchant for wandering off. And then there is a scene with a kitten that is just so stupid it's not even funny.
There were some good moments in the film. Charles Durning has some hilarious moments as Jack's editor. George Clooney shows considerable skill at light comedy. He has a natural screen presence, and never seems like he's trying to be funny. Michaelle Pfeiffer is is terrific as always. The final scene between Clooney and Pfeiffer is sweet and touching. After waiting the whole time for the movie to end, sudeenly I didn't want it to. But then it did.
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