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America’s Sweethearts

Movie America’s Sweethearts Director Joe Roth Producer Billy Crystal Cast Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack

By Ad-Lib Studio Executives have always been a species that have fascinated me. From Wag the Dog all the way to America`s Sweethearts, there is that special quality about these behind-the-scenes people who make it all work. America`s Sweethearts is an extremely humourous look at the antics of two Hollywood stars who were the country`s favourite couple but who can`t stand each other anymore and now must be civil to each other before the release of their last movie together. Lee Philips (Billy Crystal) is fired by David Kingman (Stanley Tucci) and is showing his replacement, a young Danny Wax (Seth Green) the story of America`s favourite on-screen pair before they broke up. However, a problem crops up for Kingman. Director Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken) of the last movie starring the pair of Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta Jones) and Eddie Thomas (John Cusack) has decided not to give the reels of the movie to the studios and show it at a press screening directly instead. A distraught Kingman rehires Lee and it is his responsibility to mislead the press and divert attention from the missing reels. He sets about his task of roping in Gwen and Eddie to project an image of tranquility for the press junket. Kiki (Juila Roberts) is Gwen`s sister and assistant who convinces Gwen that a comeback is the best thing for her. Meanwhile Eddie who has not recovered from the breakup is at a "Wellness centre" trying to deal with his demons when he is visited by Lee. So now that the stars are together and press is ready, Lee just has to hold the act up till the missing reels arrive. But holding the sham together is the toughest part. Eddie is caught on camera after falling mid-region first into a cactus and mistaken as “doing-something-bad”, Gwen`s new Spanish Lover Hector (Hank Azaria) keeps making a mess of things and Eddie starts falling for Kiki who has always had a soft spot for him. The media madness is compounded after Hector and Eddie have a fight and the press now assumes that America`s Sweethearts are getting back together. Director Hal eventually turns up at the right time with the reels but what comes on screen is a surprise for all. Eddie eventually proclaims his love for Kiki and ends the farce. But everything works out fine as the press love the movie and no one has to put up an act anymore. America’s Sweetheart’s is so funny that you would probably laugh out loud and people would stare at you. Every character except Chirstopher Walken stands out and gives you their version of being part of the Hollywood media machine. Billy Crystal who co-wrote is the most notable and easily the best portrayed character if you can focus away from Catherine Zeta Jones. The end of the movie is a bit hurried but the directorial flaw is evident only for a split second. America’s Sweethearts earns