Monster-in-Law
Monster-in-Law is a
2005 romantic comedy film,
directed by
Robert Luketic. It marks a return to cinema for
Jane Fonda; her first film in 15 years. The screenplay is written by
Anya Kochoff. The original music score is composed by
David Newman and
Rosey.
Tagline: She met the perfect man. Then she met his mother.Charlie Cantilini (played by
Jennifer Lopez) is a dogwalker from
Venice Beach,
California, who meets surgeon Kevin Fields (played by
Michael Vartan). Kevin asks her out, and Charlie believes that she's finally found the right man.
Things start to go wrong when Kevin introduces Charlie to his mother, Viola Fields (played by
Jane Fonda). Viola has recently been replaced as a newscaster for someone younger, and is in meltdown. Loathing Charlie from the outset, and fearing that she'll lose her son the same way she lost her career, she decides to destroy her son's relationship. With her trusted assistant, Ruby (played by
Wanda Sykes) who is secretly working against her, she tries everything possible to drive Charlie away but she does not succeed until Kevin and Charlie's wedding day. Viola turns up wearing a white dress. Charlie decides to back down as she cannot take living life with her mother-in-law trying to destroy her relationship. Then Viola's own dreadful mother-in-law, Gertrude, appears and they have an argument.Gertrude bears a strong resemblance to Viola. It is then after the argument that Viola realises that she wants Charlie to stay, and they reconcile.
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Jennifer Lopez — Charlotte "Charlie" Cantilini
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Jane Fonda — Viola Fields
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Michael Vartan — Kevin Fields
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Wanda Sykes — Ruby
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Adam Scott — Remy
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Annie Parisse — Morgan
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Monet Mazur — Fiona
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Will Arnett — Kit
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Elaine Stritch — Gertrude
The movie was generally panned by critics ([
1], [
2]), but the $43-million movie became a box-office success, earning $83 million during its theatrical run in summer 2005. This was considered good news for Jennifer Lopez, for this is her second box-office hit (the previous one was 2004's
Shall We Dance) following the notorious failure
Gigli (2003). It was also good for Jane Fonda, since it was her first film since 1990's
Stanley and Iris, and the two actresses were among the film's strongest points.
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2005 in film*
Official site
