Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jennifer Lopez | ... | Charlie | |
Jane Fonda | ... | Viola Fields | |
Michael Vartan | ... | Dr. Kevin Fields | |
Wanda Sykes | ... | Ruby | |
Adam Scott | ... | Remy | |
Monet Mazur | ... | Fiona | |
Annie Parisse | ... | Morgan | |
Will Arnett | ... | Kit | |
Elaine Stritch | ... | Gertrude | |
Stephen Dunham | ... | Dr. Paul Chamberlain | |
Randee Heller | ... | Beverly Hills Dog Owner | |
Mark Moses | ... | Coffee Shop Customer | |
Tomiko Fraser | ... | Coffee Shop Clerk | |
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Rochelle Flexer | ... | Dr. Patel's Nurse |
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Wayne Nickel | ... | George |
After years of looking for Mr. Right, Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini finally finds the man of her dreams, Kevin Fields, only to discover that his mother, Viola, is the woman of her nightmares. A recently fired news anchor who is afraid she will lose her son the way she has just lost her career, Viola determines to scare off her son's new fiancé by becoming the world's worst mother-in-law. While Viola's long-time assistant Ruby does her best to help Viola execute her crazy schemes, Charlie decides to fight back and the gloves come off as the two women battle it out to see just who is the alpha-female. Written by Sujit R. Varma
I saw Monster-in-law at a special screening in Albuquerque. While I was expecting an overdone, overplayed comedy that tries too hard to be funny and romantic at the same time, I was totally shocked to find a "Meet the Parents" kind of movie. There's a lot of play between Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez as they battle it out to try to win the affection of the same man (Lopez's fiancée and Fonda's son). It is one slapstick scene after another with both trying to ruin the others pride. It just goes to show the extent women will go, short of an all-out fistfight, to get what they want. The movie is short on man-to-woman romance, but there's a great ending between Lopez and her fiancée and of course Lopez and the mother. A must-see you won't be disappointed with.