MOVIE REVIEW: ‘View from the Top’ – a typical romantic comedy
With the Oscars having hit the airwaves this week, it was very clear that this was not a movie that was going to win any major awards, but it was a hell of a lot of fun. And that is as good as any award you can win.
True, it featured a sappy romance that was all but pointless at times. True, the story seemed to be secondary to the fluff. True, there were no earth-shattering performances that would leave me dazed. But this was a movie that was light and airy, and it soared.
What made this movie fly was the standout performances by three of the cast. Gwyneth Paltrow is strong and sweet in the lighter roles, something she does not always play. But this works very well for her. She is versatile and can play the somber part, too, but it is her ease with comedy and light-hearted fare that makes her the gem in this film.
She plays the part with such an innocence, it is hard not to believe she was a small-town girl who really did get everything she dreamed for.
The surprise for me was Candice Bergen. She never ceases to amaze me, and this role was probably the best thing I have seen her in for a while. It seemed tailor-made for her. It was funny and strong, and it reminded me of her stint on “Murphy Brown.” She was a brilliant side player, and this movie was better for her role.
The third person who shocked me was Mark Ruffalo as Paltrow’s love interest. He was sincere and honest. He did not overplay the role that is often beat into the ground. He was the perfect guy – smart, witty and loving. We guys could learn something from him … if this wasn’t a chick flick, that is.
The whole movie was funny, but the best scene comes with the credits, so stick around.
A cameo from Rob Lowe as a street-wise pilot and a standout performance from Mike Myers helped boost this film even more.
I am bewildered by the amount of bad press this film has gotten. Nobody said it was anything but fluff, so why do people want it to be? Just enjoy it for what it is.
The great thing about this movie is that it is nothing flight movies normally are. Not mile-high clubs. No “coffee, tea or me?” jokes. It was a movie about learning who you are and what makes you happy and what doesn’t. The romance thing plays into happiness, but in life that seems to be the case. Wow, fluff imitating life.
So no, this won’t make you leave the theater thinking deeply about the perils of the universe, but you will be lighter than when you boarded. So please put your seats in the upright position and enjoy the in-flight movie. The captain has turned on the comedy light.
Justin Berry is a local actor turned movie critic. Comments can be sent to justinsb26@hotmail.com.