Robin Williams plays the comedian in question – and this is the best role he’s had in a long time. He’s sweet and smart and laugh-out-loud funny. The story is really kind of dark. There’s the election, and some “discrepancies” and a cover up, some big questions are raised. This might be considered mandatory viewing before our November elections! Laura Linney is the whistle-blower/love interest – she’s always good.

I really liked the movie, I was just a little uncomfortable when I was expecting a comic farce and instead I got something thought-provoking and a little sinister.

Sophie has read her mother’s old diary and discovered that she has three possible fathers.  She decides to secretly invite each of the men to figure out which one is her dad.  And they all show up, all at the same time! Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgaard play the three confused gentlemen who hold their own in the song and dance department.    Also at the hotel for the wedding are Donna’s two BFFs, her former back-up singers (Christine Baranski and Julie Walters).

This is fun summer fare, the kind of “take me away” movie we all need given the heavy alternatives we have to deal with.  It’s like a little Greek vacation.  You’ll walk away with a smile on your face and an ABBA song in your heart!

Chronologically, Michelle Monaghan is just the right age for her character, almost 30.  But I don’t buy Patrick Dempsey as 32.  I felt he was a little too old for the role.  But they could have changed the script just a little bit to have it make more sense – I don’t know why they didn’t.

Anyhow, Hannah goes to Scotland on business for six weeks and during this time Tom wakes up to the fact that they are meant to be together.  Unfortunately for him, Hannah comes back engaged to a handsome, rich, sweet Scottish man who has swept her off her feet.  Since Tom is her best friend, Hannah asks him to be her maid of honor.  He reluctantly accepts, thinking he can win her over in the process.  With the help of his buddies, Tom has a plan.  Hilarity ensues.  Nice location shots in Scotland, some over-the-top humor, and an appropriately happy ending.

The plan centers around a young girl who must go undercover to befriend this man’s wife, and then seduce the man to earn his confidence and trust.  The girl is amazingly good at what she does, for being so naive and scared, she is absolutely committed to the cause.

The movie is rated NC-17.  There are lots of graphic, violent sex scenes.  This is not a movie for the faint of heart.  But the story is solid, and compelling.  We care about these people, and we learn a little bit about what was going on during that time in history.  This is more than a drama, it’s a tragedy, and it will stay in your mind for days.

The whole story reminded me of something Quentin Tarantino would do – you’ve got two bad guys feuding, and then this Slevin is put in the middle of the action, throw in Bruce Willis’ mysterious stranger for more intrigue, and a cute Lucy Liu for love interest.  Not bad, just not totally compelling. Some violence, but more a guessing game than anything.  Appropriately quirky and offbeat.  Teens might like it – especially girls who want to see Josh running around in a towel.