An Unexpected Good Time

For the weeks leading up to its release I swore I would never lay eyes on even sixty seconds of All About Steve. It would insult all I stand for when it comes to film. When it hit movie theaters, critics affirmed my horror, claiming it was the “worst film on Sandra Bullock’s resume.” Ouch. But when out with a group of people, only some of them my friends making it harder to argue with strangers politely, it happened. I saw All About Steve.

Maybe it’s because my expectations were bottom-of-the-barrel, maybe it’s because Sandra Bullock is just that infectious, but I loved it. Okay, you can’t go in expecting Shawshank Redemption, but you know that already. If you know you’re going to see - and are in the mood for - a dumb, hopelessly fun comedy, this may be the best you’ve seen in a while. Bullock is just, like I said, infectious. It took me a few minutes to get past the badly highlighted mullet ‘do, but you just adore her. You also adore the equally bad-blonded Thomas Haden Church as Hartman Hughes and Bradley Cooper as Steve. They are real people with real flaws and yet somehow lovable and relatable. And I don’t know if it’s just me, but I thought DJ Qualls stole the show. I want to take him home and keep him forever and ever as my BFF - no creepiness intended.

At the end of the day, the writers have cheeeese down to an art. The morals and messages of embracing uniqueness and individuality are downright children’s special. But who cares? I caught myself smiling the whole movie, even getting chills of joy for Mary Horowitz (Bullock) at several moments throughout the film. I cheered for Mary, I cheered for Hartman, I tsked but pulled for Steve, and I really cheered for I-think-the-nameless-character, DJ Qualls.

Seeing this film won’t up your film street cred. But who the eff cares? You’ll have the best time you’ve had in a movie theater in a long time. Besides, worst film on Sandra Bullock’s resume? Has anyone seen Murder By Numbers?

September 8th, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in Uncategorized | (51)