Confessions of a Disappointed Jem
Jem: I was actually looking forward to this movie. I'm a pretty big fan of the first 2 books (I was totally bored by the 3rd one) and since I love chick-lit, romance novels, RomComs, and pretty much ANYTHING to do with love, I was in!!
What a disappointment!!! I didn't understand why they butchered the book until I found out that it's a Disney movie...ugh! Normally I like Disney movies but I think their live-action movies need to stick to the Sports Genre. Disney makes a mean Sports movie.
So, here are a few things I loathed about the movie - in no particular order:
- They made Rebecca Bloomwood out to be an idiot!! The Becky Bloomwood I know and love is a smart lady. She's just not very good with her money. She was a character I could relate to in that she knows what she's doing but it's way more fun being irresponsible.
- The clothes! Dear God, the clothes! They were so horrible!!! She looked like a cross between Carrie Bradshaw and Elle Woods. I wanted to throw up! Becky Bloomwood was originally British but I get why they made her American (still stupid) but nonetheless, she's a NEW YORKER!!! Why is she wearing this crap?? Becky wears quality classic pieces. A lot of black, white and grey. She is not a trend-whore!
- Why did they choose Hugh Dancy to play Luke Brandon? And why is Luke Brandon her boss? Luke Brandon is supposed to be a successful man! A man with style and charisma and a whole lot of confidence - think Mr. Darcy. (At least, I think Mr. Darcy - but more slick) I also hate that he's her boss in the movie. It's way more fun that she has to do the TV show with him while thinking he hates her.
Does this guy look slick to you???
- I don't like how Becky has to apply for the job at Successful Savings. In the book, she's already been working there for ages and she amazes herself at how much she knows about boring Financial Stuff. And it's also a really interesting part of her character because she knows what she's SUPPOSED to do, she just doesn't do it.
- They made Derek Smeath a creepy, mean loser!! How awful! Why is he a bad guy in the movie? In the book, it's true that he constantly calls Becky (um, it's his job) but when she finally decides to face up to her responsibilities, he's actually a really nice man who wants to help her get out of debt. He's a real person. And he should have been portrayed that way. Becky's debt is her fault; not Derek Smeath's!!
- They left out some of the best bits! Like how Becky decides to go on a date with Tarquin when she finds out he's rich and she envisions marrying him even though she can't stand him and how Tarquin and Suze are actually cousins (but they end up together anyway) and how one day Becky decides she's going to save money by writing down everything she spends...but first she has to buy a really cute notebook and pen and ends up spending close to $40! And how she decides she's going to make more money by making designer picture frames but she's terrible at making them and is so far from crafty. But Suze is actually really good at them and ends up making quite a lot of money off of her frames. She even becomes a little bit famous when they start selling her frames in shops (OH! And Becky keeps buying them!!! I just remembered that part! In the end, it turns out Becky is the one making Suze so successful because she keeps buying the frames to save as gifts...now THAT's a funny story!)
Disney and I are on a time out until a Sports movie comes out. I will never forgive them for this watered-down version of a really fun story!
And the clothes!!! Dear God, the clothes. Excuse me while I go throw up!!
gidget: Congrats to Chrisitna Ricci and Benjamin Owen on their engagement. You really get a sense for how short Christina Ricci is when you see that she is barely taller than trash and recycle bins.
