I COULD NEVER BE YOUR WOMAN

US, 2007, 97 minutes, Colour.
Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, Saoirse Ronan, Stacey Dash, Fred Willard, Jon Lovitz, Tracey Ullman.
Directed by Amy Heckerling.

Amy Heckerling was responsible for such films as Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Clueless. She also directed the Look Who’s Talking films.

This is a romantic comedy, between an older woman and a younger man. Michelle Pfeiffer is at home as the woman whose husband has left her (Jon Lovitz) and who is a writer for television soaps. She encounters a younger man, Paul Rudd, who auditions for a role in the soap opera. The film is a very good opportunity for Paul Rudd to display a range of his talents including serious, comic, clowning and dancing. Of particular interest because of her later career, Saoirse Ronan portrays Michelle Pfeiffer’s rather precocious young daughter. Fred Willard is humorous, as always, in the sardonic role of the producer at the television station.

There is a fantasy device which may or may not work which features Tracey Ullman as Mother Nature, commenting on life as well as being a kind of adviser, guardian angel to Michelle Pfeiffer.

There is some satire at the expense of the information technology age, of American television soap operas, of administration of TV stations. However, it is a relationship between mother and daughter as well as between Michelle Pfeiffer and Paul Rudd that is interesting and entertaining.

1. A romantic comedy, for older audiences, younger audiences? A picture of family?

2. The television setting, the experience of the writer-director? The presentation of young audiences and their style, their television? The contrast with the older generation? Even with language?

3. The cast, the cameos (Henry Winkler and others)? The California settings, homes, school, the television studios? The musical score?

4. The title, the tone? The satire on cosmetic surgery?

5. Michelle Pfeiffer as Rosie, her age, her relationship with her husband, with her daughter? The different generations? Her range of friends? The group on set, her role as a writer, Mary and his clashing with her? Jeannie as her secretary – betraying her? The producers, the English comedians, David Mitchell, Graham Norton, Mackenzie Crook? Rosie and her life, living alone with her daughter?

6. Izzie, Saoirse Ronan and her talent, her age, the scenes with her father, with Rosie, at school, her best friend, awkward with boys, the sleepovers, the pranks and phoning Henry Winkler? Her character, age, frank expressions, having her period, her mother’s response, helping her, the outings? The final performance, talking with the boy, the kiss?

7. The auditions, Paul Rudd and his physical humour, the interview, wit, the attraction, the job, his character, the school cleaner, the costumes and Rosie taking a personal interest, hair? His interactions with Brianna? His being told to be nice to her, Rosie and her jealousy? Jeannie and the planting of the microphone, making Rosie suspicious, PhotoShopping? the photos? The dates, the club, his age and the coat, his dancing, watching the episode at Rosie’s home, the comedy, people congratulating him?

8. Brianna, the clichés of the young TV star, her performance, with the other characters, the discussion with her leading man, his background of family? The issue of censorship and the programs?

9. Marty, double-talk, giving Rosie the sack? Andrew, his ultimatum to Marty? The relationship with Jeannie – and the trickery being exposed?

10. How effective was the device of Tracey Ullman as Mother Nature her dress, the introduction to the film, her talk during the credits, as a guardian angel, companioning Rosie, the dialogue between the two, the advice?

11. Rosie, her suspicious nature, wary of Andrew, the clashes, the truth, the reconciliation?

12. The character of Nathan, Jon Lovitz, jokes about age, weight? The vases, his smooth talking? With Izzie? The cameo of Henry Winkler? Wallace Shawn and the scene at the school?

13. A cheerfully pleasant film, romance and love – with the touch of satire?