Plot: What’s it about?
I’m a bit hit and miss on British actors, some I love and some I’m not so fond of. I used to have a hard time handling Emma Thompson, but I eventually came around though one I’ve always liked is Hugh Grant. Yes, we know Grant had his troubles in his personal life a while back, but he’s moved on since then. One thing is for sure, he certainly doesn’t take himself too seriously and that, I think, is what I like best about the guy. He “retired” from acting for a few years to relax and while this move was criticized by many, I say go for it. When you’re worth tens of millions of dollars, why bust your butt making movie after movie when you don’t need or want to? On the other end of the spectrum we’ve Sarah Jessica Parker better-known as “Carrie” from “Sex and the City”. While it’s true that Parker had a career before “SATC”, it’s a role she’ll always be associated with until the day she dies. Hey, it made her a very marketable star, so I don’t think she should complain (and to my knowledge, she doesn’t). So throw in a British chap with the driest sense of humor you can imagine and couple him with America’s favorite shopaholic and what to you get? You get “Did You Hear About the Morgans?”
We meet Paul (Hugh Grant) as he’s in the process of trying to get back with his wife, Meryl (Sarah Jessica Parker). He’s cheated on her and feels regret and remorse, but they’re now legally separated. Meryl has found some fame as a New York realtor and is running a very hectic schedule and life. But after dinner, the two are walking on the streets and witness a murder. Running to the FBI, the two are placed in protective custody and assigned to the Witness Relocation Program. Now this is where you might think the film would take a turn into eye wandering country, but this actually where it takes off. They’re sent to Ray, Wyoming and are to stay under the care of US Marshall Clay (Sam Elliott) and his wife, Emma (Mary Steenburgen). Paul and Meryl are cut off from the outside world, almost literally with no phone, internet or any outside communication. And wouldn’t you know it, this is the perfect time for them to get to know one another again. The only real problem is that the person who committed the murder wasn’t caught and is on the lookout for both Paul and Meryl. Will he find them or will they remain in Wyoming forever?
“Did You Hear About the Morgans?” isn’t the funniest movie I’ve seen or perhaps even the most original, but the wit of Hugh Grant is what really makes it work. I don’t want to downplay Sarah Jessica Parker’s performance, but it really is Grant that carries the film. I will say the film is a bit predictable at times, but not such that you’ll totally call the ending. Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen are perfectly cast as Clay and Elle and the film is great for a rainy day or even a perfect date movie. I’ve read some other reviews of the movie and they’re not too flattering, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I wasn’t expecting too much and maybe that’s why I was so delightfully pleased when the ending credits rolled. If you’re a fan of “Music and Lyrics” or “Two Weeks Notice” that also paired director Marc Lawrence with Hugh Grant, then this is more of the same.
Video: How does it look?
“Did You Hear About the Morgans?” looks pretty good in a 2.40:1 AVC HD transfer. Yes, the shots of New York are ones we’ve all seen before but when the duo get out to Wyoming (which was actually New Mexico) we get some great visuals of the expansive sky and rugged terrain. Then again, the interior of the log cabin was built on a set in a studio, so don’t get too swept away. Flesh tones seem warm and accurate, with discrete details being on the mark as well. But Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant certainly aren’t getting any younger and it’s evident here. Contrast looks good as well and suffice it to say that Sony has delivered a strong, but not perfect, transfer here.
Audio: How does it sound?
Audio-wise the film delivers, but as far as this genre of movie goes (and I suppose I’d classify it as a Romantic Comedy) it’s not too hard on the eardrums. Dialogue is the main focus here and it sounds plenty good, very rich and full with no distortion whatsoever. There are a few moments when a song plays that the surrounds kick in and believe it or not we’ve even got a few gunshots in our little romance movie. By and large, it’s a pretty standard-sounding track that delivers what it’s supposed to, nothing more and nothing less.
Supplements: What are the extras?
As far as the supplements go, there’s a good selection and any fan of the movie will be pleased with what’s offered here. We start out with a commentary track Marc Lawrence and his stars Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. This is a good track full of more witty responses and some information (that’s covered in the featurettes as well) about the shoot, the location and even the costumes. We get some pretty standard featurettes that focus on the scene with the bear (the same bear that’s in every movie with, well, a bear) the location and how they found it (not Wyoming, but New Mexico with an eerily similar name) and a few dedicated to Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. Naturally anything with Parker will have something to do with fashion and we’re instantly rewarded with “Park Avenue Meets the Prarie”. The disc is also equipped with Movie IQ and we get some outtakes as well.
