Movie Review: Monster-in-Law (2005)
Monster-in-Law (2005) is a romantic comedy that explores the classic clash between a bride-to-be and her overprotective future mother-in-law. Directed by Robert Luketic, the film stars Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda, and Michael Vartan in a lighthearted yet chaotic battle of wits and wills.
Plot Summary
Charlie Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez) is a sweet and independent woman who falls in love with the charming and successful Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan). Everything seems perfect until she meets his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda), a former high-profile news anchor who is possessive and determined to sabotage their relationship. With the help of her eccentric assistant Ruby (Wanda Sykes), Viola goes to extreme lengths to make Charlie’s life miserable. However, Charlie refuses to back down, leading to a hilarious and outrageous showdown between the two women.
Review
The highlight of Monster-in-Law is Jane Fonda’s performance as the over-the-top, scheming mother-in-law. She brings a dramatic, comedic energy that makes Viola both villainous and entertaining. Jennifer Lopez delivers a likable and relatable performance as Charlie, providing a strong contrast to Fonda’s character. The dynamic between the two leads is the heart of the film, with their escalating pranks and confrontations providing the main source of comedy.
Wanda Sykes adds a great dose of humor as Viola’s brutally honest assistant, stealing scenes with her sharp one-liners. Meanwhile, Michael Vartan’s role as Kevin is largely secondary, as the film focuses more on the battle between Charlie and Viola rather than the romance.
While the movie delivers plenty of laughs, some of the humor is exaggerated and predictable, relying on slapstick moments and over-the-top antics. The plot follows a familiar formula, making it somewhat cliché, but the strong comedic performances keep it entertaining. The film ultimately delivers a feel-good message about love, family, and compromise, though it doesn’t dive too deep into emotional complexity.
Conclusion
Monster-in-Law is a fun, lighthearted rom-com with great comedic chemistry between Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. While it doesn’t break new ground in the genre, it provides plenty of laughs and an entertaining portrayal of the classic mother-in-law dilemma. Fans of feel-good romantic comedies will enjoy the humor and playful rivalry at the center of the film.
⭐ Rating: 6.5/10
