by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
C+ Rated PG13 90 minutes
It has all the earmarks of romantic comedy: from Matthew McConaughey’s irresistible sideways grin to Kate Hudson’s inability to fully resist that grin.
Characters in this film are sketched with a heavy pen. They are caricatures of themselves. All the reviews whining about “how unrealistic” this movie is don’t seem to realize that it’s a bit of a farce. A farce doesn’t have to be realistic, as long as it’s entertaining. While the movie sometimes misses in that department, it’s still an enjoyable ride.
I volunteered to review this because of the treasure angle. My father used to tell me stories about treasure hunters and the lost ships off the coast of Florida. I wanted to see if they captured the wonder, the way these stories of old treasure hook you. Because it isn’t just about a box of shiny gold, it’s about the people who sailed these ships, the reasons they sailed. The explanatory scene was a little too long, even for me, though McConaughey works his charm vigorously.
Ben ‘Finn’ Finnegan (Matthew McConaughey) obsesses about finding the renowned Queen’s Dowry treasure chests, lost at sea in the 18th century. He has given up everything to pursue this dream, going into debt and lying to his wife Tess (Kate Hudson), who initially helped him in his quest. They are on the brink of divorce when a Finn finds a piece of the wreckage. They join forces again and manage to get money and support from billionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland), who’s looking to bond with his flaky, tabloid-inspiring daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena). Gemma would be the eye candy for the boys, and Finn (who spends most of his time without a shirt) will at least keep the girls interested.
There are times when the chemistry between the leads seems off, and some of the bit players made quirky character choices that don’t quite read right. I had trouble deciphering what accent Mo Fitch (Ray Winstone) was trying to achieve. This reunion between the How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days stars isn’t as successful as I’d hoped. Malcolm Jamal Warner, the ex-Cosby kid, goes for a Caribbean lilt and plays the least ludicrous bit part. Other bits parts include Ewen Bremner as Finn’s Ukranian dive partner. There’s also the laughably named Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart), a rapper/gangster who looks to profit from treasure hunting.
Fool’s Gold isn’t a nail biter. We know that it will all somehow end well from the first frame. This movie is most definitely flawed, even as a farce, but its breezy plot and quick dialogue might just get you to overlook those flaws. The side plots are shaky and the action isn’t convincing, but mainly a fun time.
The comedy, action and romance all seem to be reaching but they never quite grasp their goals. If you’re looking for realism, go see another movie. But if you’re looking for over-the-top action, humor, treasure hunting and romance, this is the Valentine’s Day movie for you!
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