Movie Review: Rumor Has It... (2005)

Genre: Dramedy  

Director: Rob Reiner  

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Costner, Mark Ruffalo, Shirley MacLaine, Richard Jenkins, Mena Suvari  

Running Time: 96 minutes  

Synopsis: Sarah (Jennifer Aniston) is having second thoughts about her engagement to Jeff (Mark Ruffalo). They travel to Pasadena to attend the wedding of her sister Annie (Mena Suvari), and the family gathering reminds Sarah she is a misfit and has nothing in common with her father Earl (Richard Jenkins). Then Sarah starts piecing together clues suggesting her grandmother Katherine (Shirley MacLaine) was the inspiration for Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, and she tracks down Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner), the potential real-life Benjamin Braddock.

What Works Well: This is an engaging-enough hybrid comedy-drama-romance about family secrets, fitting-in, flexible definitions of love, the enduring across-the-years bond between mother and daughter, and grey zones between fact and fiction. Jennifer Aniston capably carries the load as Sarah is caught in an emotional storm of internal doubt, and she is surrounded by a quality cast with Shirley MacLaine a particular delight. Director Rob Reiner delivers a polished look and brisk pacing.

What Does Not Work As Well: The chemistry-free romance that develops between Sarah and Beau, after she suspects he may be her father, can only be described as icky and made worse by her betrayal of fiancé Jeff. The script frequently lacks zing, exemplified by reaching for an undeserved happy ending while ignoring the bittersweet "now what" uncertainty of The Graduate's resolution.

Key Quote:

Sarah: Maybe every girl in my family has to sleep with you.

Beau: I don't know if they have to, but they certainly have.

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