Movie: Alex & Emma
Starring Luke Wilson, Kate Hudson; Directed by Rob Reiner
Written by Jeremy Levin and Adam Sheinman (Warner Brothers Films)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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Rob Reiner has created a clever little romance in Alex & Emma.

Alex is a novelist with a gambling problem, and he needs to pay off some thugs with the advance from his next book, but he has writer's block. And the thugs trashed his computer, so he hires Emma, a stenographer (who knew stenographers made house, er, loft calls?) to dictate his novel. Then the fun begins as together they bring Alex's novel to life.

Luke Wilson is not exactly believable as a writer but he does make an affable hero figure in the novel-fantasy scenes, but it's Kate Hudson who gets a real workout, running through several accents and costumes alongside Wilson. Alex keeps changing his mind about who she is in the novel, you see.

Under Reiner's guidance the story gets into the creative process of writing, but don't look for huge revelations here, it's not that kind of movie. I expected Alex to offer co-writing credit to Emma when they turn in the novel but I guess that would be too PC. At least we're not wallowing in soap suds like Sleepless In Seattle.

Alex & Emma certainly isn't as memorable as Princess Bride either, but your date will thank you.

The Skinny:
Am I glad I saw the film? Yes, but most people could wait for the video.
Would I go to see it again? Sure if nothing better was on cable.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes