Salt Lake Tribune Review
Full points to
Sandra Bullock for trying something different within the romantic-comedy framework, even if it’s a jaw-dropping disaster like this one. Bullock plays Mary Horowitz, a crossword constructor who spews reams of trivia with every breath, oblivious that it has turned off her blind date, Steve (“The Hangover’s”
Bradley Cooper), a roving cameraman for a blowhard cable-news reporter (
Thomas Haden Church). Mary hits the road to stalk Steve, following his TV crew from hostage crisis to hurricane to deaf-kids-in-a-mineshaft rescue drama, simultaneously annoying and endearing people along the way. Director
Phil Traill, a TV guy making his movie debut, tries to mine some satire about cable-TV media circuses, but he’s hamstrung by a sledgehammer-subtle script (by Kim Parker, who co-wrote the awful
Robin Williams vehicle “License to Wed”) that gives us entirely too much of Bullock’s oppressively chirpy character.
The rundown: Sandra Bullock plays a manic crossword constructor who goes to strange lengths to pursue a date (
Bradley Cooper) in this trainwreck of a comedy.
Synopsis: Mary Horowitz is a cruciverbalist - a crossword puzzle constructor. Her brain spins at warp speed with an endless stream of arcane information. She can come up with the perfect word - and dozens with the same meaning - at a moment's notice, but normal behavior eludes her. For Mary, nothing is typical, especially relationships. When she is set up on a blind date with handsome cable-news cameraman Steve, Mary thinks the chemistry is undeniable - that Steve is the one. Steve, on the other hand, thinks Mary is crazy. Mary, who just knows she's found her soul mate, decides to do anything and go anywhere to be with him. She begins to pursue Steve relentlessly as he crisscrosses the country, covering breaking news stories. Mary's escalating infatuation with Steve is encouraged by the self-serving actions of news reporter Hartman Hughes, who enjoys torturing his insolent cameraman at every opportunity. With Mary never far behind and Hartman urging her on, Steve becomes increasingly unhinged. But when Mary becomes embroiled in the news story of the year, Steve and Hartman begin to see her differently. Hartman is plagued by guilt, knowing his game of one-upmanship with Steve has placed her squarely in harms way, while Steve is feeling his own pangs of remorse at his callous behavior. Despite the media storm surrounding her, Mary with her upbeat, unaffected manner brings together a small community of new friends. And all who encounter Mary will realize that sometimes the ones who don't fit in are the ones who really stand out.
Did anyone actually say "Man, I really want to go see 'All About Steve' this weekend!". Really? [ Report Abuse ]