Monster-in-Law (2005)

The love life of Charlotte is reduced to an endless string of disastrous blind dates, until she meets the perfect man, Kevin. Unfortunately, his merciless mother will do anything to destroy their relationship.

Director:

Robert Luketic

Writer:

Anya Kochoff

Stars:

Jennifer Lopez, Michael Vartan, Jane Fonda

1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

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
Rochelle Flexer	...	Dr. Patel's Nurse
Wayne Nickel	...	George

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

gay friend | adult son | woman | scheme | breakdown | 

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Taglines:

He gave her a ring. His mom gave her a finger.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex references and language

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [United States]

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Una suegra de cuidado

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$23,105,133, 15 May 2005, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$82,931,301

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$154,749,918

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema,BenderSpink,Spring Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

All of the photos of Viola Fields on her table with famous people are real pictures of Jane Fonda with Oprah Winfrey, Ted Turner, Jon Voight and Gloria Steinem. The only "doctored" item is the cover of Time Magazine, which Fonda was set to appear on the cover of, however Pope John Paul II's Death in 2005 took the headline and subsequently, the cover.

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Goofs

When Charlie is watching the movie, the TV screen is blank.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Charlie sitting at her desk at home. Phone rings. Charlie lets the answering machine pick up and listens to the recording]
Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini: [Answering machine message] Hi, it's Charlie. Leave a message.
[Answering machine beeps to signal beginning of message]
Carol, from LA Temp Agency: [Leaving message on answering machine] Hi Charlie, it's Carol from the L.A. Temp Agency. Listen, Dr. Patel's office needs you for tomorrow. Is that ok? Let me know. Bye.
[Answering machine beeps signaling end of message]
Remy: [Charlie sketching]
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Late Show with David Letterman: Episode #12.138 (2005)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Adeline
Written by Harry Armstrong and Richard H. Gerard

User Reviews

A very delightful and almost always hilarious comedy!!

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.