WARNING: This review contains a couple of PLOT POINTS and
SCENE SPOILERS; if you do not wish to find out too much about
this movie, then please DO NOT READ.
This film is often billed as a comedy on television, but in fact this is
not entirely accurate. People often associate comedy with films
such as "Airplane!", or "Hot Shots", but anybody looking for this
kind of humour is going to be a little disappointed. "Bye Bye Love"
simply tries to bring the subject of divorce, with all the benefits and
the costs it can have, in a comical fashion, admittedly, but it does
not let the production be ruled by laughs and gags. In fact, it is
doused with only a sprinkling of laughs, particularly in the middle
of the film itself.
The film itself is also incredibly effective at relaying the message it
brings, and leaves the audience with some doubt as to whether
divorce is the answer to an unhappy relationship - but it also
enforces that it is not the end of the world.
When the jokes do come in, to relieve some of the tension in the
film, they are usually quick and simple, and all the cast deliver with
skill. The real star of the show, however, has got to be Randy
Quaid (Vic), who plays a spectacular performance and brings out
the best comical content in his scenes, particularly those involving
his wife's porch, his date (played by Janeane Garofalo, a good foil
against Quaid) and his reactions to Dr. David Townsend (played
superbly by Rob Reiner).
In all, the film tackles some important issues about married life
and the problems that can happen, without ever taking itself too
seriously, and in the end, it's hard to say how the film might have
improved itself.
SCENE SPOILERS; if you do not wish to find out too much about
this movie, then please DO NOT READ.
This film is often billed as a comedy on television, but in fact this is
not entirely accurate. People often associate comedy with films
such as "Airplane!", or "Hot Shots", but anybody looking for this
kind of humour is going to be a little disappointed. "Bye Bye Love"
simply tries to bring the subject of divorce, with all the benefits and
the costs it can have, in a comical fashion, admittedly, but it does
not let the production be ruled by laughs and gags. In fact, it is
doused with only a sprinkling of laughs, particularly in the middle
of the film itself.
The film itself is also incredibly effective at relaying the message it
brings, and leaves the audience with some doubt as to whether
divorce is the answer to an unhappy relationship - but it also
enforces that it is not the end of the world.
When the jokes do come in, to relieve some of the tension in the
film, they are usually quick and simple, and all the cast deliver with
skill. The real star of the show, however, has got to be Randy
Quaid (Vic), who plays a spectacular performance and brings out
the best comical content in his scenes, particularly those involving
his wife's porch, his date (played by Janeane Garofalo, a good foil
against Quaid) and his reactions to Dr. David Townsend (played
superbly by Rob Reiner).
In all, the film tackles some important issues about married life
and the problems that can happen, without ever taking itself too
seriously, and in the end, it's hard to say how the film might have
improved itself.