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Monster-in-Law
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Monster-in-Law (2005) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 105 | slideshow) Videos (see all 14)
Monster-in-Law (2005) -- The love life of Charlotte is reduced to an endless string of disastrous blind dates, until she meets the perfect man, Kevin. Unfortunately, his merciless mother will do anything to destroy their relationship.
Monster-in-Law (2005) -- Clip: This is Mom
Monster-in-Law (2005) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.2/10   15,149 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 33% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Anya Kochoff (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Monster-in-Law on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 May 2005 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
She met the perfect man. Then she met his mother. more
Plot:
The love life of Charlotte is reduced to an endless string of disastrous blind dates, until she meets the perfect man, Kevin. Unfortunately, his merciless mother will do anything to destroy their relationship. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 9 nominations more
User Reviews:
Monstrously lame more (217 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Jennifer Lopez ... Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini

Jane Fonda ... Viola Fields

Michael Vartan ... Dr. Kevin Fields

Wanda Sykes ... Ruby

Adam Scott ... Remy

Monet Mazur ... Fiona
Annie Parisse ... Morgan

Will Arnett ... Kit

Elaine Stritch ... Gertrude

Stephen Dunham ... Dr. Paul Chamberlain
Randee Heller ... Beverly Hills Dog Owner

Mark Moses ... Coffee Shop Customer
Tomiko Fraser ... Coffee Shop Clerk
Rochelle Flexer ... Dr. Patel's Nurse
Wayne Nickel ... George
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Das Schwiegermonster (Germany)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for sex references and language.
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Viola asks Tanya Murphy what her favorite movies are, among the movies she names is Legally Blonde (2001). Robert Luketic, who directed this film, also directed Legally Blonde (2001). more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Charlie and Viola are watching A Nightmare on Elm Street, the scene in the movie where Freddy chases Tina is shown first and a few moments later the scene where Freddy appears for the very first time is shown, like the movie is playing backwards. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
[Charlie sitting at her desk at home. Phone rings. Charlie lets the answering machine pick up and listens to the recording]
Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini: [Answering machine message] Hi, it's Charlie. Leave a message.
[Answering machine beeps to signal beginning of message]
Carol, from LA Temp Agency: [Leaving message on answering machine] Hi Charlie, it's Carol from the L.A. Temp Agency. Listen, Dr. Patel's office needs you for tomorrow. Is that ok? Let me know. Bye.
[Answering machine beeps signaling end of message]
Remy: [Charlie sketching]
[Remy walks in with cup of coffee and toast]
Remy: Morning neighbor.
[Chews toast]
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Features "I Love Lucy" (1951) more
Soundtrack:
The Beast more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
33 out of 54 people found the following review useful.
Monstrously lame, 16 October 2005
3/10
Author: pennshilvania from United States

As a fan of Jane Fonda's acting, I was mildly interested in seeing this movie, her first in many years. I wish now that I hadn't wasted my time.

Granted, Jane Fonda is an asset to "Monster-in-Law." She brims with radiance and plays the Viola role with tremendous flair (although the psychosis of her character sometimes seems forced and exaggerated). My favorite scene, actually, is when she flies off the handle and tries to strangle a young singer whom she is interviewing on her talk show. There are a few moments where she effectively conveys the insecurity and desperation beneath Viola's nasty exterior. Nonetheless, even a brilliant actress cannot save a movie with such a weak script.

Take, for instance, the first few scenes, when Charlie and Kevin meet (in a most whimsical fashion, may I add). This introduction seems too drawn-out and ultimately worthless to the plot. I found myself mentally tuning out for the sake of my sanity.

Speaking of the two lovers, I'd be hard-pressed to name a more boring on-screen couple. J-Lo, as has been mentioned frequently on this site, comes across as too sweet and innocent and perfect throughout most of the movie. Simply put, she's annoying. I kept wishing they could have cast a more watchable actress. The Kevin character, also, has zero substance and is bland. He is like a prop that they casually drag into the movie whenever they need some filler between Charlie/Viola catfights.

Wanda Sykes, as Viola's assistant, is fairly comical and works much better with Jane Fonda than J-Lo does. Viola's mother-in-law also delivers her lines in an entertainingly caustic way. However, these two women do not have much screen time at all.

"Monster-in-Law" progresses as a string of loosely connected arguments. The result is tedious and mundane. There is no climax, really. If you've seen one spat between Charlie and Viola, you've seen them all. They spew petty insults...they seek revenge on each other...they go on to the next scene and repeat it all over again. It might be juicy if it weren't so repetitive, and if a different actress were squaring off against Jane Fonda, and if the dialogue weren't quite so stale.

The ending is literally an embarrassment. Oh, I won't give it away...except to say that I felt as if I were watching the end of a "Full House" episode. Yes folks, the music and lines are THAT corny and predictable. By the way, this is not a central plot point by any means, but Charlie's bridal gown is not particularly flattering. More like flattening. It makes her look as if she has no chest at all!

Anyhow, I would not recommend this fluffy, somewhat empty movie, which hardly evoked a laugh or even a smile from me. If you still want to see it, go ahead, but definitely don't expect too much. I saw this movie just a couple of hours ago and have already forgotten about most of it. Not that I'm complaining.

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