This is How Movies Should Be Made

ridiculous rating

Good concept, poorly executed.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Beautiful casting & Canadian mountain/lake countryside raise this film above '80s style, depressing home interiors, & French amorality (<-play on words "amor" & "amoral").Classic European Isabella Rossellini's Gemini charm mesmerizingly packaged in hybrid of famed Nordic actress mother Ingrid Bergman & great Italian pater genes is glorious inside & out in the most layered role (though I'd watch her in anything, like her next-gen doppelganger Juliette Binoche). Here Rossellini reminds me of similarly radiant Irish actress Ellen Burstyn in parallel film "Same Time Next Year" with equally genuine co-star Alan Alda conveying sincerity like Ted Danson enjoyable here in a non-stereotyped role like "Cheers," more like his later "Becker." Stunning Celtic beauty Sean Young is always intriguing & with a vulnerability surprising in such breathtaking eye candy. Vintage Lloyd Bridges, more handsome & better acting than earlier film styles, allowed engages us in the less callow inner world of seniors while a lad plays his grandson in still 21st Century relevant counterculture c o m e d i e/satire.This little-altered US version of French "Cousin, Cousine" is not only reminiscent of "Same Time Next Year" but also "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Four Weddings & a Funeral" though not as much heat or heart as those but still a watchable romp through karma leaving us with the philosophical jog that "No man is promised tomorrow"{Bible Book of Proverbs}, so "Carpe Diem/Seize the Day" & when something isn't working, acknowledge it and take advantage of windows of opportunities to try to fix or change but always living your life to the full every minute at every age.

You will laugh, cry and cheer. I thought this was cute and not bad at all. Filled with charm, innocence, drama and romance. I thought it was a nice mix. The casting is great and Danson gives a performance of a lifetime. It is an emotionally uplifting movie that will raise your morale. Unfairly dismissed by some as confusing, this kind of sentimental character piece needs a tight focus so all of the nuances of the characters shine through. I found it entertaining and it left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I thought that there was really good chemistry between the two main characters. My rating for this one is 7/10.

"Cousins", is a cosmetic remake of the Oscar nominated French "Cousin, Cousine" (1975) starring Marie-Christine Barrault, (nominated for an Oscar) and Victor Lanoux.Please, Don't get me wrong. This "Cousins" has great cast and some great moments..if you haven't seen the original probably you won't be disappointed with it. "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was a far better effort!! Ted Danson who is refreshingly natural & charming, Lanoux is a little more natural & charming.Rossellini lacks the Sensual Magnetism that Barrault had & in her long costumes she appears even holier than a nun!! Barrault on the other hand looked so attractive in her simple brown skirt..the drawing session between the lovers is so sensual. The nudity is so natural and not at all in-your-face.William L. Petersen as the husband is not enough jealous as the one Portrayed by Guy Marchand plus he is so funny when he breaks off with his girlfriends or when he gets into a fistfight with his partner who owes him money and gets a bloody nose..getting jealous watching his wife having an open affair but can not do anything.Sean Young is the wicked witch with "A three digit IQ" is not mad enough as the original wife.Lloyd Bridges is the only character who is better than the original. He barely has three scenes and he hits the home run each time..Especially the moments with his grandson: "Can you keep a secret?.. So can I." Brilliant!!.The highlight of this movie is the long bike ride down the countryside breathtakingly captured by the director (Schumacher written all over it!!) This is the only moment that you don't feel tied down & suffocated by the forced attraction between the characters. The director and the writers made a few changes in this movie worst one is when the loving cousins parents get married!! I almost threw up watching them sail away at the end of the movie..Do yourself a favor watch the original. If you watch both then you will be forced to write a review in disappointment.

Larry is really a a good man who is so true to himself for teaching dance as his career disregarding the traditional thinking of a career because he finds happiness there; and he loves kid very much too --- that's why he dances happily with fat lady student and Maria's daughter.Maria is a good wife, for the goodness' sake of her daughter, she request a separation from Larry's friendship. But a family without love, like Maria and Tom, the children will not good as we saw the daughter do awkward thing in his father's car.Larry's father is a humorous but wise person, he tells Larry to grip his life --- chicken s**t or chicken salad is good motto for our life objective.Beautiful is the word for the film, the cast, the songs, the camera view, the music, the laughters and tears; and last but not least, the life mission--- be happy and go and get what you really love!