Talented Acting Only Adds To Movie’s Smart Writing

Last year, director/writer/actor Edward Burns took the film world by storm with his “Brothers McMullen.” Produced on a shoestring with home video film and little known stars, “McMullen” was one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year.

When word got out that Burns’ next film, “She’s the one,” was just around the corner, I couldn’t wait to see it.

Not only was it shot with real big-screen movie film, but the bigger budget gave Burns a chance to work with more well-known actors like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz.

While “She’s the One” has been criticized for being nothing more than a remake of Burns’ first film, it had enough originality to be interesting and thoroughly enjoyable for me.

While the basis of “She’s the One” - Irish brothers who have different experiences with love and heartbreak - is much like that of “McMullen,” many of the similarities end there. The newer film probably appeals to more people and allows itself to be taken less seriously.

To provide the conflict for the entire film, the two brothers, Mickey (Edward Burns) and Francis (Mike McGlone), are complete opposites. Mickey has always acted on his heart (one of his first acts in the film is to marry someone he’s known for a day) and Francis is obsessed with money, no matter how miserable his life is.

The plot of the film really doesn’t matter; the joy of “She’s the One” is the scripting. The brilliant writing Burns did for the extremely life-like characters in the film makes the movie worthwhile on its own - although the fabulous acting doesn’t hurt, either.

Maxine Bahns, Burn’s real-life girlfriend, plays Mickey’s new wife and runs away with the film. While her acting seems unconventional, it works perfectly for this sort of film. In addition to the wonders she does to Burns’ script, the chemistry between the two is memorable.

Also notable is Jennifer Aniston in her big-screen debut. She plays Francis’ neglected wife, who seems to be a better match for Mickey than the guy she decided on. Surprisingly, Aniston plays her character quite unlike the one she plays on “Friends,” and plays it wonderfully.

But perhaps the highlight of the film is the scenes involving Burns, McGlone and their on-screen father, played by John Mahoney.

A father-son relationship is one often butchered by big-screen efforts, but the spectacular acting by these three always makes you feel like you’ve walked into a family reunion at the wrong time.

Possibly the “family reunion” atmosphere is what makes “She’s the One” so enjoyable. The actors almost make you feel as if you’re on screen with them, and that attitude separates this film from nearly all the others.

But even if you’re not interested in a “new” and “different” movie atmosphere, there are as many laughs in this movie as there were in “The Cable Guy.” And the jokes in “She’s the One” aren’t only more sophisticated, they’re funnier.

Grade: A