|
"What's
'Next'?"
by Scott Mantz
"The Next Best Thing"
Rupert Everett, Madonna
Directed by John Schlesinger
Lessons we have
learned over the years. Lesson #1: Actors are not rock stars. Lesson
#2: Rock stars are not actors. There--that was easy! Seriously though,
there haven't been too many situations where musicians were able
to cross over into the acting medium and be as successful as they
were with their music. Most of the time, the feeling was "Don't
quit your day job," but there have been a few exceptions. Obviously,
Elvis Presley is the first person who comes to mind, but even his
best work is limited to his first few films (I mean, "Girls, Girls,
Girls?" "Live a Little, Love a Little?" Gimme a break!).
One musician
who just won't give up her conquest of the big screen is Madonna.
The Material Girl made quite an impression on Hollywood with her
scene-stealing debut in "Desperately Seeking Susan" (much to the
chagrin of the film's actual star, Rosanna Arquette), but that was
in 1984. Since then, her work has been marginal at best, ranging
from the mildly fair ("Evita") to the completely horrible ("Shanghai
Surprise", "Body of Evidence"). Still, you gotta give her credit
for trying. While she may not be up to the task of taking on the
weighty material in "The Next Best Thing," she does a passable enough
job, along with the always appealing Rupert Evertt, to make it a
decent moviegoing experience. The problem is with the actual film,
which lacks focus in its tone and its structure.
Robert (Rupert
Everett) and Abbie (Madonna) are best friends who would make a great
couple, except for one thing--Robert is gay. After Abbie's self-absorbed
boyfriend (Michael Vartan) moves out, she turns to Robert for consolation.
A few weeks after they have a wild night of drunken passion, Abbie
discovers that she's pregnant with Robert's baby. She wants him
to be an active father, so they move in together. Six years later,
Abbie meets a charming and well-to-do investment banker (Benjamin
Bratt), and they fall in love. Robert's relationship with his son
is threatened, and what was once a dear friendship is torn apart
as Abbie and Robert fight for custody of their son.
If the prospect
of a woman being best friends with a gay man sounds familiar, it
should--it was done in 1997's "My Best Friend's Wedding", also with
Rupert Everett. "The Next Best Thing" could almost be seen as an
alternative reality to what started in "Wedding". This time, the
friends cross the line and begin what is ultimately a doomed relationship.
Several topical issues are carefully examined, such as gay parenting
and family acceptance, but the execution is not done with the care
that it merits. As for its structure, the film starts out as a comedy,
but it shifts gears to become a drama, then it becomes a melodrama,
then it finally ends up as a courtroom drama. Confused? You should
be.
Even the characters
don't stay true to themselves. Director John Schlesinger, most famous
for 1969's controversial "Midnight Cowboy", sets up both characters
as good people who happen to find themselves in devastating circumstances.
We care about them deeply, but an inappropriate plot twist makes
the audience lose respect not only for Abbie, but for Robert as
well. With no connection to either character, who do we root for?
Rupert Everett
puts in a fine performance, but he lacks the sophistication and
confidence that made him such a joy in "My Best Friend's Wedding".
At first he is carefree and understandably afraid to take on the
responsibility of raising a child, but he quickly warms up to the
idea and turns out to be a great father. It's hard for him given
his sexuality, but he overcomes the scrutiny of outsiders to do
what's best for his son. Also, it's easy to see why Madonna was
drawn to her role. Like her character, she's into spirituality and
yoga, and she wanted to have a child before she found the perfect
man. Unfortunately, her acting abilities are nothing to write home
about, and she wanders through half the film downplaying what should
be a very emotional role.
While "The Next
Best Thing" certainly has it's flaws, it touches on some weighty
issues not to be found in other mainstream films. Should gay parenting
be allowed? If one of the parents is gay, should that person lose
custody when the other parent hooks up with someone who's straight?
That's not really for society to decide. As it is, there's plenty
of straight parents who have no right to bear children (if you don't
believe me, just watch "Cops"). The bottom line is this--as long
as your parents are genuinely good people, then it doesn't matter
what their sexual preference is. The fact that their loving and
special is what makes them the best thing of all.
|
