Being an apparent remake of a French film (in which I have not seen, nor heard of, so I cannot compare it to this), this film is directed by Chris Columbus and stars Hugh Grant as Samuel Faulkner, a child psychologist who is in a romantic relationship with Rebecca Taylor (played by Julianne Moore), a kind-hearted ballet teacher. One day at the beach, Rebecca decides on taking their relationship to the next level, as she considers on starting a family with him. Having mixed feelings about the idea, Samuel avoids telling her how he really feels; he fears, not only commitment, but confrontation as well.There is also a sub- plot involving another couple (played by Tom Arnold and Joan Cusack), who are in fact married with three girls (two of them played by Ashley Johnson and Alexa Vega). Much to Samuel's annoyance, the couple seemingly brag about their somewhat perfection and lifestyle as far shoving it in everyone else's face. That may not be the case, however, as Rebecca forms a bond with the wife. Tired of his cowardliness, Rebecca then decides to leave him as she claims that she can manage a family on her own. It is then settled as Samuel learns to face reality and do something more with his life; more so, accepting the position of becoming a father.First, I would like to add that I was about 5-8 when I first saw this movie, and I remember quite a lot of scenes from it. Second, this is the first movie I have seen both Hugh Grant and Julianne Moore in (and I don't recall ever seeing Joan Cusack in anything prior to this either). With that said, Grant and Moore work marvelous off of each other. Arnold and Cusack are also pretty good in this, but they didn't stand out as much as I thought they had. My biggest gripe with the film is Jeff Goldblum as Samuel's friend, Sean. I'm not entirely sure, it felt like he was just phoning it in the whole time; he seemed completely bored and unfocused. Last, but definitely not least, we have Robin Williams as Kosevich, a blatantly inexperienced (and overtly sensitive) Russian doctor; while not my favorite part of the entire film, he was definitely a scene-stealer.Overall, this is one of the most underrated films in cinematic history. I will not understand the hatred it's gotten, because it tackled on in-dearly relatable situations. With that said, I am happy to announce that this is one of the best comedies I have seen in my lifetime.

Ah... a romantic comedy from the '90s. Hugh Grant is a successful therapist, high-flying, Porche-driving, skinny, pasty dude with a British accent, i.e. he's got everything going for him. Through an astonishing lack of communication and birth control knowledge his girlfriend gets knocked up and immediately decides that his whole life needs to change or she's outta there, like trading his 2-seater Porche for a boring family car and shopping at Walmart to "save money". In the paranoid thinking of the time, she even wants him to get rid of his elderly cat out of fear of toxoplasmosis. His freakin cat!Not surprisingly he nopes outta that sh*t and of course now he's the bad guy that just needs to grow up. Bad friends and worse family convince him that his former rock-star lifestyle was empty and cheap, and explain that as soon as he looks into his new baby's eyes "everything will make sense". Didn't matter that he was a successful professional, good looks, nice car, no. Really, the "grow up" part is code for "make it all about her." And make it all about her he does! Cue a bunch of 50's-60's R+B as Hugh thoughtfully thinks of the baby and his shrew girlfriend, and reads "What to expect when you're expecting", cause of course, the 90's were all about convincing men that when your wife is pregnant, you better get double preggers or you're a deadbeat, man. I know I'm harping on the emasculation angle, but boy does this film roll in it. The estrogen pours off the screen in buckets as already effeminate Hugh Grant gets what last, scant evidence of his manhood sand-blasted away by Moore's Oscar- worthy rendition of a charmless, moody harpy. At least if Hugh is gonna throw it away, convince us that Julianne is maybe slightly worth it, but no, she vacillates between wounded bird whose man has abandoned her, and humorless, uncompromising chore. I give this one 2 stars just because it's a cautionary tale to remind young men to use proper birth control, but I simultaneously warn it may inflict thoughts of wanting to stab oneself in the neck with a pencil to distract from the on-screen agony. Watch this if you hate your life and would like to see another's destroyed.

Now for those of you who don't know me (which is most likely everyone who will ever read this...) I am not married, I don't have any kids nor do I have any plan on ever doing either of those two things. I am single, I got an good job, a nice apartment, I love my current way of life and while I do enjoy spending time with my nephews and nieces I feel like I would never be able to be an dad and if I ever somehow ended up as an father I know wouldn't be able to stand it (I enjoy my peace and quiet way too much).Now before we proceed, ask yourself this: Is there something wrong with that? Because if you ask this film, then apparently there is.While I watched this film with my sister (who is married and got three kids) I realized that we viewed it completely differently. She saw an predictable, goofy romcom movie about how an life changing event forced him to grow as an person and step up to take his place as an father.I saw an 103 minute film where a mans life was slowly torn asunder while the love of his life was more than willing to discard him just because he didn't do exactly as he wanted and because he didn't feel ready to become a father (do note, she NEVER gives him a say in the matter), all the while extremely unlikable supporting characters ridiculed him and the only other unmarried character (who was portrayed as an deadbeat who felt like his life was empty and hollow). Add to this the fact that the film portrays people who doesn't want to get married as immature, selfish and "commitment-phobes" then you start to see why I didn't enjoy the film at all.In short, not my kind of film.

I liked this film...although it took some effort to do so. Let's start with what's wrong with the film. First and foremost, I couldn't buy Hugh Grant as a child psychologist. That just didn't work for me. Additionally, at least at this phase of his life, he needed to tone up a bit. His body just looked non-sexual...in a film that is essentially about sex. And his modified page boy haircut. And I say all that as a person who generally likes Hugh Grant in films.The other thing that just doesn't seem to work here is Robin Williams' stint as a Russian obstetrician. I'm not quite sure why it doesn't work, and it does deliver a few laughs, but it just kinda lays there.Julianne Moore as the female lead does nicely, although this role seems out of her normal scope. Tom Arnold does okay as an overbearing friend. Even better is Joan Cusack as his wife, who rarely fails to make me laugh! Jeff Goldblum seems out of place here and in a role that is rather minor; he's a better actor than the rest in the cast, and deserves a better and more prominent role.So I'm sure it sounds as if I'm not recommending this film, but its saving grace is a truly funny conclusion once the water breaks...one that had me laughing out loud repeatedly...and I'm usually one who keeps his chuckles to himself. It made the movie worth watching!