A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

"After 'Trainspotting,' this is the most dangerous type of movie we could do - an American romantic comedy. But it's not really a mainstream American romantic comedy. It only pretends to be." - Ewan McGregor

"I get to play the guy... And Ewan gets to play the girl." - Cameron Diaz

Well, it's no "Trainspotting," but Danny Boyle's first mainstream film is enjoyable none-the-less. Even if it makes no sense and has a weak as hell ending, the film is still a wild and fun ride. Boyle's first "American" film has a cast enjoying the bejesus out of themselves. The sparks between Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz could start a fire in a rainstorm. Their chemistry practically melts the celluloid. Who cares about plot or theme with these two around.

We know the film is going to be weak when it begins in heaven (we know it's heaven cause everything is white) where angels Holly Hunter and Delroy Lindo work for Gabriel, played by Dan Hedaya. But if you gotta have angels, you can't beat Hunter and Lindo on screen together. At least Boyle cast some interesting actors. The two also ignite a few sparks here and there. Hunter, however, uses about 40 accents, when she has nothing else to do. Lindo, meanwhile gets a chance to stretch into a different role and works some magic here. Still, this lame ass story of angels sent to Earth to ensure two people fall in love is kinda stupid.

The cast is rounded out by wonderful performances from Ian Holm, Stanley Tucci, Tony Shaloub (who only has one scene), and Judith Ivey (who only has one line). The rest are unknowns who do just fine.

John Hodge, who also wrote the scripts for "Trainspotting" and "Shallow Grave" doesn't give Boyle much plot to work with. He does however write a great scene or two with cleaver and witty dialogue along the way. This might be an excellent film if one of the two guys behind the camera and typewriter would've caught some snap and totally abandoned the angel idea. It's tired old school.

There are great shots here. And we know we're not gonna be left in the cold when Boyle has Diaz swim through the title credit (gotta see it!) - but overall the film isn't up to par. We've been spoiled by Boyle and Hodge and we expect better.

McGregor is the sexiest man in Hollywood right now. He's hot as fuck here too. We really like watching him and hearing him talk. We understand why spoiled rich girl Diaz takes a while to warm up to him (she's a bitch at first after all) but we also understand completely why she goes for Ewan after just a little bit of time. Who wouldn't. And Boyle's best moment comes when he films the two kissing and a string of spittle tenses between their lips. Any normal average director would have cut that shit out. Boyle knows a real cinematic moment when he sees it. And the film usually (except for the standard lame old heaven) looks cool.

"A Life Less Ordinary" isn't ordinary, even if it's set-up is. Hodge has the ability to write circles around anyone else in the biz and Boyle can transform his words to magic moments. Let's just hope this is a sophomore slump (even though it is their third film together) and that another piece of magic is right around the corner.

Note:

Music by David Arnold. Tucci and Shaloub appear together in "Big Night."

Filmed in Salt Lake City.

(Review written in 1997)

Report Card

Script: B-

Acting: B+

Cinematography\Lighting: B+

Special Effects\Make Up: B+

Music: A-

Final Grade: B+