All's Fair in Love & War

Authors: Masnoraffis Masdil
Location: Singapore

“All's Fair in Love & War”

Directed by Joel Coen
Written by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Original Score by Carter Burwell

Principal Cast:

Tom Hanks (Eddie)
Adam Sandler (Roger)
Cameron Diaz (Michelle)
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss (Jennifer)
Kevin James (Michael)
John Lithgow (Mr. Smith)
Joel McCrary (Mr. Schneider)
Shirley Knight (Mrs. Schneider)

Cameos:
Heather Graham
Brad Pitt
Jennifer Garner

Tagline: "There's only room for ONE in this war for love..."

Synopsis: Eddie (Tom Hanks) & Michael (Kevin James) are two small-time crooks fleeing from the small town to the big city. Eddie spots Michelle, a psychiatrist (Cameron Diaz), and decides he's falling in love with her. Pretending to be a rich man, Eddie brings Michael to Michelle proclaiming that Michael has problems that needs to be treated. In the meantime, Mr.Schneider (Joel McCrary) has brought his only son, Roger (Adam Sandler), to Michelle to be treated. Roger is scared of water, fire, running and dizzy heights. While being treated, he begins falling for Michelle.

Suddenly, Michelle has to go back to her hometown because his father (John Lithgow) proclaimed he's sick. Both began pursuing her in order to win her heart. And since neither "hero" is the sacrificial type, we begins a game of one-upmanship, where the winner gets the hand of the fair psychiatrist. Or so you would like to believe...

What the press would say:

What do you get when two losers are besotted by a gorgeous woman? The answer is... a Joel Coen comedy called "All's Fair in Love and War". Suspend your sense of logic for a couple of hours and enter the fun-and-frolic world of the Coen Brothers, nothing is impossible and laughter permeates the air.

The film's major advantages includes Coen's directorial skills, the performances and some wickedly funny dialogues. Roger's introductory scene alone is so amusing, that at first, you want to hand this year's Best Actor award to Adam Sandler. After a bit of thinking, you will decide that it is the dialogues in the scene which really make it outstanding. The care put into the direction is equally applause-worthy. One cannot really decide which deserves an award.

Adam Sandler's comedic talents here are indisputable. In this movie he shows us a partially Forrest Gump-inspired performance. Ironically, the star of that movie is his co-star here. Tom Hanks works hard on his comedic drive, matching Adam Sandler's impeccable timing and perfectly and consistently. Kevin James gives admirable support as Tom Hank's sidekick who usually end up the victim in the fight against the two men. And Julia Louis Dreyfuss as Cameron Diaz's elder sister shows excellent timing in the scenes she's in, although her screen time is limited.

The ending is novel, refreshing and somewhat realistic. After being sure he's the one that Michelle is going to marry, both were disappointed to find out that she's going to marry her long-relationship boyfriend, played by Brad Pitt. Could see this movie picking up some nominations in the Golden Globe award!

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director: Joel Coen
Best Screenplay: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Best Original Score: Carter Burwell
Best Actor: Tom Hanks
Best Actor: Adam Sandler
Best Actress: Cameron Diaz
Best Supporting Actor: Kevin James
Best Supporting Actress: Julia Louis-Dreyfuss