Movie Review: New Year’s Eve
Times Square, an ensemble cast, and a fair amount of cheesiness. Yep, you guessed it! It’s New Year’s Eve Hollywood style in the new movie from director Garry Marshall. Perhaps this movie picks up where Valentine’s Day (2010) ended? I didn’t see that one but I still think it’s a pretty safe bet. Don’t worry, this review will not be riddled with sarcasm and cynicism, I actually liked this film. Even more than I expected to, I might add. My reason? It was entertaining, period, and not because of Jon Bon Jovi’s magnificent acting. (I said the review wouldn’t be “completely” riddled with sarcasm. You will agree with me when you see the film!)
New Year’s Eve follows several storylines simultaneously, jumping in and out of them. It does however, do so flawlessly, carefully weaving them to avoid giving viewers temporary ADD. There’s the story of Laura (played by Katherine Heigl) who is catering a huge record industry party and is reunited with her former flame Daniel Jensen (played by previously mentioned Jon Bon Jovi). Next is the story of Randy (played by Ashton Kutcher) and Elise (played by Lea Michele) who end up stuck for hours in the apartment building they both live in. Then there is the unlikely pairing of Ingrid (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) and Paul (played by Zac Efron) who end up spending the day together in a plutonic fashion. Also, there is Claire (played by Hilary Swank) who is literally in charge of the enormous ball that drops in Times Square; Sam (played by Josh Duhamel), who is stuck in Jersey trying to make it into Manhattan for New Year’s; Expectant couple Tess and Griffin Byrne (played by Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers) about to have the first baby of the New Year; Kim (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), a protective mother trying to shelter daughter Hailey (played by Abigail Breslin); and lastly, Stan (played by Robert De Niro) dying of cancer with nurse Aimee (played by Halle Barry) by his side. (Okay, so maybe there is more than one unlikely pairing in the above synopsis.) Additionally, viewers will recognize Ryan Seacrest, Ludacris, Sofia Vergara, Cary Elwes, Alyssa Milano, Jim Belushi, Carla Gugino, Penny Marshall, Yeardley Smith and none other than Joey McIntyre of the New Kids on the Block.
The reason why New Year’s Eve is so entertaining is because is plays on our fantasies of what a “magical” New Year’s Eve would be like. I know that I’ve never had a “magical” New Year’s Eve myself and I doubt that I am alone. And this film not only contains the typical movie romantic fantasy, but also contains the added element of New Year’s Eve, a day known for its unrealistic expectations altogether. Pairing these two elements delivers a fairy tale ending, of course, but a necessary one. Not to say this movie is all fun – there are also some very emotional aspects to this movie to which I will admit shedding a tear over. I did not expect tears in this film but it was a nice surprise. Additionally, I liked the film because I love the idea of a contemporary holiday film for adults. I think for every Arthur Christmas for kids, there needs to be a New Year’s Eve for adults. Why should all of the magic end when we grow up?
Jon Bon Jovi and Katherine Heigl in New Year’s Eve. Photo by Andrew Schwartz – © 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Aside from previously mentioned Jon Bon Jovi’s sub-par acting, my only other criticism would be that in a movie with several storylines and lots of big names, it is hard for one actor’s performance to really shine. Unfortunately for Bon Jovi, we only notice when they are not so good (I am unforgiving of him because it is not his first movie nor was it a complicated role). If I had to pick an actor that I enjoyed the most it would have to be Pfeiffer. She is always great, and her particular character was the most vulnerable thus making her performance the most endearing. It was also surprising to see her in a movie of this nature, and I will consider her the loveable wild card in New Year’s Eve.
