Joe Barber Reviews “Because I Said So”

by Joe Barber on Mar.03, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

Diane Keaton is a wonderful actress. Her numerous awards, as well as the continued popularity of her old and recent films as she moves into the fourth decade of her career testify to just how talented and beloved she is. But, after sitting through her latest effort, “Because I Said So,” even her most devoted of fans will be moved to as: “What were you thinking ?”

Keaton plays the divorced mother of three grown daughters. Her oldest (Lauren Graham) is a just married psychiatrist. Her middle child (Piper Perabo) has no trouble meeting and getting involved with guys. Her youngest daughter, Milly (Mandy Moore) is now running her mom;s catering business quite successfully but can’t seem to meet-or keep-the right guy. Loving, caring and wildly overprotective mom Daphnie plans to change all that-whether her daughter wants her help or not.

Daphine places a personal ad and arranges to meet the men who answer so she can weed out the wrong ones and find “Mr. Right.” Then she’ll steer the man and Milly towards each other and throw in a bit of quiet help from the sidelines. Her efforts seem to be working when Milly connects with a handsome wealthy young architect starts dating Milly. But, at the same time, she meets, on her own, a talented musician, a kind and considerate man with a bit of baggage. Which way will Milly go ? And will her mother let her choose the pasth and the man ?

Director Michael Lehman and screenwriters Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson may have gone into thi film with the best of intentions. They strand an attractive and talented cast, as well as the audience, in the middle of this story just after the opening credits end. We are never given a chance to watch the story build or the characters develop. Keaton’s comic eccentricities, normally an attractive part of her work, become irritating here. Moore, one of the few young singer/actresses with talent in both areas, is forced to spend most of her time on screen with an unattractive pout and grimace on her face. Graham and Perabo, both reliable comic additions in other films, are given almost nothing to do here. Somewhere in the process, the best of what this film could and should have been got lost. The few laughs that are here can’t get it back.

Though you shouldn’t skip it just because I’m offering this opinion, it is probably best to wait for a bargain show or video to see “Because I Said So.” Otherwise, you’re likely to be saying, “Well, Joe told me so. . .”

MPAA RATING:PG-13 for profanity and sexual content
JOE’S RATING: TWO STARS.