Carolina

This movie has a little bit of everything
Based on quality this movie should have been released in the theater. However, because it is a more "quiet film," the studio was probably worried that it would cost them more to release it in the theater than they would make by just releasing it on DVD. Shirley McClaine and Julia Styles are well known actors, but there have been many romance movies recently of this type, so the studio probably figured these actors alone might not have enough pull to draw in a big crowd. I hope the audience out there proves them wrong because this is a good movie. Regardless of how it might or might not have done in the theater, it is a great renter. Although it is like every other romantic comedy released in the last few years in that one friend is secretly (or not so secretly) lusting after the other, the acting and writing distinguish it from the rest. As Randy Quaid says in the behind the scenes documentary (special features bonus), the movie is "about real people."

Julia Style's...

A jewel...
I didn't see any reviews or previews for this movie at all. Surprising because it was pretty good. Julia Stiles and Shirley MacLaine work well together as grandmother and granddaughter. It's a touching tale of one dysfunctional family's life. It has it's fun (and touching) moments and I would watch it again.

Could not have been played by a better person...
First off, I would like to say that according to imdb.com, it is said that Kathy Bates was to play the part of the Grandmother in this film...thank god they chose Shirley McLaine for this part, nothing against Ms. Bates and her talents, but after watching this movie, I could not see anyone else playing this part but Ms. MacLaine....

With that said, I have to say that this film is both funny and touching at the same time. It is a movie about two things, finding the right person, and it is about what a family is all about...we all have those family dinners that you want to get up and leave right away as soon as someone opens their mouth...and this is the way that Carolina feels as she totes her date around, trying to impress the family. What she finds later is that no matter who your family is, or where they come from, you love them just the same....a good family picture...should not be missed!!

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