My One and Only

The ghostly Renée Zellweger has chosen to brace us with her presence again. How would we get through the week if it was not for this. Besides her, this movie had a strong cast. Even Nick Stahl obtained a part in this 1950's movie. He should have never been John Connor in Terminator III, that was a huge mistake, as well as that movie's script, but he stands tall in this movie. His part was designed for him as a blue collar type, a hands on man.

Anne Deveraux is Renee's character and she is married to Dan Devereaux played by Kevin Bacon. Bacon needs the work, as we all do, but he was one of the victims of Bernie Madoff (he should be executed) so he does have to restack his war chest. Dan is unfaithful and Anne has had enough. She yanks both her sons out of school, depletes a safety deposit box, and takes off. She does not know how to drive a car well, her sons do not have a license, and one refuses to drive for whatever reason. The real reason is he useless and gay. But he knows fashion and colors. Mark Rendall plays George Hamilton, who is the step brother of George Devereaux.

Dan is the real father of Logan Lerman's character named George. This is not a normal 1950's family, this seems to a typical 21st century type situation. Dan is a successful song writer and entertainer, this one song is practically bank rolling him, he is writing this way all the way too the beach. His apartment is lifestyle is upper middle class but this does not stop Anne from leaving him after his blatant infidelities. Anne and the boys leave for Boston. This is after Anne informs George that the real view mirror is useless and she was not sure why the manufacturer even installs them. I was hoping after that dangerous and amazing advice they would get hit from the rear right when he pulled out into traffic. For some reason, they make it to Boston without being a road hazard or causing a huge accident.

Anne's entire aim is to meet a man that would instantly hall them all in. And she hit a homerun in Boston after a setback, so she went 1 for 2. Not bad, but the contract is not signed. Chris Noth, who plays in just another detective show on television, is Dr. Harlan Williams who is a die hard military man who still wears his gleaming uniforms around despite it being a little innappropriate at times. This falls apart though when he gives her $500 to shop for a wedding dress and items for the wedding. Remember, this is early 1950's. But her gay and stupid son urges her to spend the money on handicapped children. And she obliges. They have been living an indulgent lifestyle for some time now. When they return, Williams is irate, which is normal. The movie is strange here and acts like he should not be upset. This must have been written by a goofy female, no person in their right mind would not expect someone to be upset at this. Williams demands Anne to return the pearl necklace back to him so he can exchange this necklace for some money. She did not deplete him but he wants some financial payback. Anne refuses. Williams chases after her and George, her normal son, jumps on his back. Williams tosses him aside and Anne screams at him for laying his hands on him. What? Anne tosses the shredded necklace at Williams and they are off.

The reason Anne took off north after leaving the heart of New York City is because she had an old boyfriend there. They went out to eat and this guy starts trembling. He informs her his business if being crushed. He owes alot of money and demands she give him some. This guy is desperate and irrational. Why he thought she had $50,000 lying around is nonsensical. He is raising his voice in the place which is embarrasing to her. But then she does something only a true fool would do. She takes off to the bathroom and leaves her purse. She returns and this fool stole the contents, he probably made off with about a few thousand dollars. Whatever.

Pittsburg is next. They are here for about a month and Anne begins to feel the money pinch. This place is not plush, this in a working class neighborhood. Everywhere they go, the kids enroll in school and do their best to cope with the environment.

Anne knows another man she had a fling with and she hopes her mad scrambles can end here. This is where the renegade family meets Bud played by Nick Stahl. Bud did not have a large revenue stream but his character surges with loyalty and stability. He has a practical sense but this spoiled dame does not give him a chance. Bud is the person she calls when she is arrested for solicitation. When she was told her options by the under cover detective at the bar, she should have told him to call the room number of the man she was there too see. Who cares if he was having a party, he invited her.

George sees his father Dan here. He realizes his mother was correct, that his father is not a role model and is too self absorbed to be taken seriously.

OK, now they are truly headed west into St. Louis. Anne has a sister there. Both kids start school and Anne gets fired as a waitress. She applies to a paint company as a sales woman and with her skill in colors, she brings in business that would normally never have walked in on such a large scale. This is what I do not understand, they just take off from here. She was tearing up the business. The fictional store manager is David Koechner who plays Bill Massey. Bill turns out to have a wife but he forgets this and woos other woman. Why she just lets him him wander all around is strange. The family is rich and pays Anne probably about $5000 for her setback-psychologically. Why this business is content with such a skilled employee who is driving business into new territority is just mindboggling.

George remains after a serious fued with his mother. His step brother is enchanted with their Hollywood pursuit. George is happy with the school he is at and realizes his mother is also vain. She does not show the care that a child expects. This is what is really bizaare, they have been driving for two days but George catches up with them without stalling their trip for more than 2 minutes. Hmm... Anne proves again she is brain dead when she is robbed by a young woman they agree to give a ride too. Anne leaves her cash in her convertible like a moron.

Anne and George set up shop in Hollywood. George proves he is too feminine to play a cowboy but he is adept as a costume director. The straight George impresses the movie executives when he was trying motivate his brother that they gave him a shot in their picture. I guess it all worked out.

Hollywood must have not learned from their 10000 BC debacle of a year in a half ago-the pyramids were not built by slaves. This movie said that twice at the end. The pyramids were built by the farming class in between growing seasons. Someone needs to send Hollywood a history book not influenced by Rosie O' Donnel.

Dan catches up to them but whether or not he says anything to the boys, he is not sure. The feminine George is not his real son, but Dan pleads with Anne to return with him to New York City. She respectfully declines. He bows out. Approximately 1 week later, Anne receives a terrible call informing her that Dan just had a mortal heart attack. George is devastated, he just lost his father. But he returns to New York City to finish High School since he was offered a scholarship for his writing and artistic talent. Both brothers have tremendous jobs for being so young. Not a bad deal for them.

This movie was worth while. It was well written and had alot of touching characters. Its casting ensemble was impressive. Besides the unnappealing and bright haired Zellweger, this movie did not have a flaw. Her character persevered but had several brain farts and Logan took off with it. I did not like the pyramid slave information poorly told nor the idea that someone should not be upset when someone is careless with so much money. I will have deduct points for this.

I allocate this film three stars, though it easily could have been four.***