Hugh Grant turns in a charming performance as Samuel Faulkner, a child physciatrist who has everything a man could possibly want -a porsche, a beautiful and an adoring girlfriend, Rebecca (Julianne Moore). But things soon go awry when Moore becomes pregnant, throwing Grant into a tizzy and forcing him to change his life completely. Heartbreak and hilarity, ending in a warm and happy way typical of today’s films.

There are many hilarious moments in this film, such as the fist fight in the toy store with Arnie the Dinosaur and the delivery scene (one of the funniest climaxes in any comedy). But the thing that makes “Nine Months” really work is the strong supporting cast. Joan Cusack and Tom Arnold are perfect as Sam and Rebecca’s overbearing but well meaning (and also expecting) friends. In fact, Tom Arnold is so likable in this film that it may force some people to forgive him for being the obnoxious jerk he is in reality (sorry, Tom). Jeff Goldblum, albeit in a small role, turns in a excellent performance as Sam’s bachelor friend Sean, who helps Samuel cope with the problems he faces. But the best of the bunch is, without a doubt, Robin Williams. Playing Dr. Kosevich, a Russian dcotor about to make his first human delivery. Williams is hilarious especially when he mangles the English language.

If you’re looking for nonstop laughs in a comedy that delivers, please do yourself a favor and pick up “Nine Months”. Trust me, you will certainly not regret it. (Bonus: while there are no extra features, at the end, you get to see what all the stars look like as babies. Boy, Jeff Goldblum still had the same haircut).

Cast

• Hugh Grant – Samuel Faulkner
• Julianne Moore – Rebecca Taylor-Faulkner
• Tom Arnold – Marty Dwyer
• Joan Cusack – Gail Dwyer
• Jeff Goldblum – Sean Fletcher
• Robin Williams – Dr. Kosevich

With daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams, who ratchets up her acting skills in this film compared to the first) announcing she is pregnant, father George (Martin) grapples with the conflicting emotions of becoming a grandfather. Further complicating things (and adding a bit of hilarity!) is the rather unexpected pregnancy of George’s wife Nina (Diane Keaton). Thus, while coming to terms with his new identity, George also must deal with two pregnant women!

Not only is this film filled with comedic genius, though, but it also delivers just as many (if not more) touching emotional moments. Whereas the first film captured George’s equal parts happiness and sadness at seeing his daughter leave, this movie proves to be just as potent regarding George’s identity crisis. With his whole life in flux (the comedic portion of the film), George begins to remember what really matters in the first place: family.

Overall, this film is just as good as the original. The combination of genuine emotion and smart (not crude) humor is a welcome balance and counterpoint to other Hollywood fare. Let’s just say that if a “Grandfather of the Bride” were in the works, I would be first in line.

Cast

• Steve Martin as George Banks
• Diane Keaton as Nina Banks
• Martin Short as Franck Eggelhoffer
• Kimberly Williams as Annie Banks-MacKenzie
• George Newbern as Bryan MacKenzie
• Kieran Culkin as Matty Banks

For those of us who have had the blessing of watching our children develop, and have found the wonderful place in our hearts that only our children can touch, the humor rings true. Roseanne Barr delivers a surprisingly authentic and precious interpretation of the mind set of Julie, the younger sister. Bruce Willis is still quite convincing as the older brother Mikey.

There are script problems with the adult story lines. It is very hard to believe that mom – Molly – allows a very dangerous person to take care of the kids. Molly’s brother, while acted well, only rises to comic book stature. But you will want to watch this again and again, for the reason you watched the first time, to touch that place in your heart where you store the memories of your own children.

Unfortunately, the writing is uneven and often clumsy. Throughout the movie, Jake is confused about what he wants out of life, yet the viewer is left confused, too. Jake’s longing for “something else” in life is left so undefined that the viewer can’t really relate to his angst. Jake’s narration continually refers to life “closing in on him” and such, yet it appears things are going fairly well for him, so why the heartburn? One keeps waiting for a big scene where Jake is finally able to enunciate what his problem is, but it never happens.

The worst element of the film by far is the character of Davis (Alec Baldwin), Jake’s best friend from high school. Jake is immature, but basically a nice guy. But Davis is portrayed as such an unredeemable jerk (Baldwin basically just had to be himself here) that it is nearly impossible to ever see how these two could have ever stood to be around each other, much less have the brother-like relationship it is claimed they have. He shows up in three scenes, and he’s a bigger jerk each time. During his third scene, he convinces Kristi to give him a “goodnight kiss” (totally unbelievable), only to be rebuffed when he tries to take things further. After spurning his advances, Kristi informs him that she won’t tell Jake about the matter because “you have your good points.” Really? Which ones?

While the film is highly cynical toward marriage and family in many ways — bickering parents, prying parents-in-law, squaresville suburbs inhabited by men obsessed with their lawn mowers, etc. — it in the end affirms the marital relationship by showing its redeeming power in the lives of Kristi and Jake. Funny, poignant, and well-acted, this movie will stay with you for years after viewing it.

Unlike romantic comedies that show how a couple formed then leaves you there in the puppy-love bliss uncertain of how things turn out long-term, this movie explores what happens after the lifetime vows are made. When it’s over, there is no doubt in the viewer’s mind that this is a union which will stand the test of time. In this day and age, that is something worth cheering for.

Cast

• Kevin Bacon – Jefferson ‘Jake’ Edward Briggs
• Elizabeth McGovern – Kristen ‘Kristy’ Briggs
• Alec Baldwin – Davis McDonald
• William Windom – Russ Bainbridge
• Holland Taylor – Sarah Briggs
• Cathryn Damon – Gayle Bainbridge
• John Ashton – Ken