Word: costners
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...biggest problem is Costner himself. In his current middle-aged, paunch-ridden, crooked-toothed, balding status, he just doesn't cut quite the same dashing, leading man figure he once did. Perhaps he has delusions of Jimmy Stewart-esque everyman grandeur. Costner certainly had a certain soccer dad appeal in The Untouchables, but a hunk? Hardly. Whereas Stewart had an endearing awshucks demeanor, Costner is about as charming as a tree. Gone are the days where he can plausibly seduce Susan Sarandon on a table or Madeline Stowe with a lemon. Now, he's just like the chubby slob...
...would think that looking like the average Joe would actually be good in a film like Message in a Bottle where Costner is a man grief-ridden by the death of his beloved wife. Add to the physical ravages of this trauma a personality more wooden than Al Gore, and you've got yourself an authentic bereaved widower...
...actually, Costner is just a supporting player to Robin Wright Penn in this movie. It's her story that is in the spotlight, though Costner's maudlin presence bullies her to the wayside once he's onscreen. She is Theresa, a gorgeous divorcee who has a healthy relationship with her young son, but a difficult time getting over her ex-husband. He's moved on with a new brunette and baby. Every day, Wright wonders to herself, "Did he hate me because I'm beautiful?" The audience wonders the same thing as she vacations on the Cape, sips...
...research lackey for a Chicago Tribune columnist, she finally does something fun as she tracks down the origin of the letter. Her selfish motivation is oddly reminiscent of Meg Ryan's valiant quest in Sleepless in Seattle. But whereas the latter is whimsical and heart-warming, the Penn-Costner combination is a bust from the start. In fact, Wright has more chemistry with the man she initially mistakes for G than with Costner, her dream man. Not only is it highly unlikely that someone as attractive as Wright would find a bloated, antisocial Costner appealing, it is also impossible...
...romance between Wright and Costner fails at the same time every other relationship in the movie blossoms. Paul Newman shines as Costner's father. His eyes sparkle with mischief, and his wisecracks crackle like spitfire as he schemes to bring the reluctant pair together. At his age, even he has more star quality and charisma than his dull son. His scenes are a welcome relief from the awkwardness of the lovebirds. Costner and Penn are both able to display more emotion and authenticity in their affection for the sarcastic patriarch. In their separate scenes with Newman, both suddenly become more...