Monster-in-Law (2005): Dir: Robert Luketic / Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, Michael Vartan, Wanda Sykes, Adam Scott: Emphasis seems to regard expectations. Jane Fonda returns to the screen after a fifteen year absence and plays a successful talk show host who is replaced by a younger woman. This has a bad affect on her sanity until her son arrives home with his girlfriend and announces their engagement. From there Fonda tries to sabotage the relationship until his fiancé retaliates. Typical setup follows formula faithfully until arriving exactly where we expect it too. Directed by Robert Luketic who previously made the underrated Win a Date With Tad Hamilton as well as the overrated Legally Blonde. Fonda is a welcome sight as she aids her frustration with alcohol, and Lopez plays a worthy target for her rage but they are reduced to a back and forth battle where one struggles to out scheme the other. Supporting roles unfortunately do not measure up. Michael Vartan as Fonda's son is flat. He is basically a prop that shakes his finger in their faces in the conclusion then telling them to kiss and make up. Wanda Sykes as Fonda's adviser has the best lines but the role is flat and uninteresting. Theme addresses close ties of parents and the inability to accept change within relationships in fear of losing touch. To bad someone didn't lose the script. Score: 6 / 10
Review of Monster-in-Law
