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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

New in Town...The Review!


It could be said that the film, New In Town, with Renee Zellweger and Harry Connick, Jr. is a romantic comedy...but I saw a little more substance in it. I was interested in the accents and the little innuendos that I had read about in the reviews. Yep, there were plenty of them. As my sister pointed out, I thought it was Sarah Palin talkin' there for a minute!!

Personally, I like Renee Zellweger and I think she did a good job in this movie. We laughed alot! It is not a deep movie that you will have any trouble understanding. It is entertaining!!! And that is the reason I go to the movies.

Filmed on location in Canada and not Minnesota, I thought it was quite realistic. Honestly, I can see where real Minnesotans COULD be offended....as they take the accent, the beer drinking, the flannel shirts....and the tapioca a bit far!

There are parts of the movie where it is a bit corny, but funny all the same. I did not see the chemistry between Connick and Zellweger that I saw between Cruise and Zellweger in "Jerry Maguire" but the movie was a warm, romantic comedy with a bit of reality thrown into the mix.

With layoffs and companies going out of business, this film provides a pleasant escape from the real world.

All in all, I thought it was a funny and entertaining flick and I'm glad we saw it!

I ran across an interesting interview that nj.com did with Renee while promoting the film...and the following is an excerpt:

"New in Town" is a restart for Renee Zellweger in the romantic comedy genre, bringing her back to Bridget Jones turf.

She stars as Lucy, a Miami careerist who finds herself stuck in sub-zero Minnesota, dispatched by her corporate bosses to oversee the downsizing of a manufacturing plant. While attempting to get organized and acclimated, she falls for Ted, a union leader portrayed by Harry Connick Jr. Icy pratfalls and tapioca pudding food fights ensue.

The 39-year-old Oscar winner says the role appealed to her as something light to offset her run of serious films like "Appaloosa," "Cinderella Man" and "Cold Mountain."

But with the deepening economic crisis, "New in Town" is topical. It depicts the toll of factory closures on middle America. While the narrative focuses on Lucy's romantic foibles with Ted, the backdrop is a community facing ruin as industrial jobs disappear.

The picture was shot in Winnipeg months before Wall Street faltered, and it has a fairy-tale ending that may not seem plausible in the midst of such a downturn.

During a phone interview, we asked Zellweger if she thinks audiences are ready for a recession comedy. She offered her thoughts on the cultural climate, along with tips on dealing with winter and paparazzi.

Q: After shooting this film in Winnipeg, do you have advice as far as staying warm in extreme temperatures?

A: You need sense of humor and a prayer. Three pairs of pantyhose simultaneously works nicely, too.

Q: Did you have any reservations about shooting this film in a place that's so cold?

A: I had no idea what was in front of us. I had no frame of reference. I'd been in 12-below temperatures. I didn't know what 55-below felt like. They give me a little "Prepare for Winnipeg" packet and I thought, "Okay, I'll wear long johns." I had no idea what that kind of cold meant.

Q: You need layers.

A: It's a whole other kind of thing. Things start to die after about one minute of exposure. It's unbelievable.

Q: Your character makes this real transformation from being a cosmopolitan person to being someone who's more at home in a rural area. Was that transformation part of the appeal of the script for you?

A: Really, I just wanted to laugh. I wanted to go to work and play. I wanted to play on set and I laughed out loud when I read this script. I laughed at the physical comedy. I loved the ridiculousness of the situation Lucy would find herself in and her failed attempts to be perfect in every respect. I found that so entertaining. I couldn't wait to put on those heels and skirts.

Q: The shoes are great.

A: Aren't they?

Q: I would love to wear shoes like that, but I am way too clumsy. It just comes naturally to some people, I guess. They're able to walk in these severe shoes.

A: I did plenty of teetering and they weren't particularly practical in Winnipeg.

Q: This film is suddenly very relevant because of what's going on with the economy.

A: Who could have known how timely it would be. Maybe there was something happening that was a precursor to what's happening now but the idea of this story, I really craved it for some reason.

Q: The fact that it pays tribute to the American workforce?

A: I like the idea of this community of eccentric, eclectic, deceptively not-so-simple people. I wanted to be immersed in that world for awhile.

Q: How was the tapioca pudding?

A: That tapioca pudding was not particularly appetizing after two days in a vat.

Q: Had you been a fan of Harry Connick Jr. as a musician before you were cast with him in this film?

A: Of course. There's no denying his talent. He's a natural entertainer.

Q: And he sings in the film, the Christmas song, when the whole town was singing around the tree.

A: Yeah.

Q: I was wondering why Lucy didn't sing along with everyone. That was something that I noticed.

A: I think it was the kind of thing where she was more taking it in. She was feeling a part of it and noticing that she was a part of it instead of feeling entitled to be a part of it.

Q: Do you think people are ready for a film about downsizing that's comedic in its approach?

A: I'm not sure. I can't see how something that's entertaining, that makes you laugh could be a bad thing right now, especially for anyone who can relate to those circumstances that are represented in the film.

10 comments:

Donna said...

I Loved the interview! Thanks!! I want to see this...!!!! Soon!hahaa..Happy day sweetie!hughug

A Spot of T said...

I saw Renee Zellweger & Harry Connick, Jr on Rachel Ray talking about the movie and it was priceless. I had to laugh at the two of them talking about our Canadian winters and how they couldn't believe it could get that cold 'any where' in the world LOL I feel for anyone who isn't used to the cold we get and then has to deal with it. Great review. This is definitely a movie I want to see.

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh. I haven't even heard of this one. I love Renee. Have got to see this movie. Weekend is nearly here. Maybe I can see it then.

Unknown said...

I thought I might like this movie. :)

Anonymous said...

I would like to see the movie. I don't seem to see many movies lately. I like that you and your sister see one every week.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

For some reason, I really want to see this movie. I love your reviews Siskel! :)

Unknown said...

Haven't seen this yet, but the previews look fun...

thanks! for the visit!

Pamela said...

she's a hard read... that woman.
I don't think she really opens herself up for an interview.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the review. Didn't know it was shot in Winnipeg. I see Dawn wants to see it now. I guess I should take her out one day and see it.

Caroline said...

Well...that sounds like a cute movie! I love a good chick flick. Thanks for the review!