Verdict isn't good for 'Laws of Attraction'

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

LAWS OF ATTRACTION (PG-13) Two Stars (Fair)

Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore display far more strain with less success, trying to pull off the same trick.

To be sure, Brosnan and Moore have charm and skill — and "Laws of Attraction" will mildly amuse filmgoers in search of an old-fashioned comedy about romance between contrary lovers.

Brosnan and Moore co-star as the two top divorce lawyers in New York. Moore is Audrey Woods, a polished, well-organized and highly successful attorney in a high-powered firm. Brosnan is Daniel Rafferty, a raffish Irish-American newly arrived in Manhattan from Los Angeles, with his considerable reputation preceding him.

They find themselves on opposite sides in a media-circus divorce case involving an irresponsible rock star (Michael Sheen) and his flaky wife (Parker Posey). At the center of the dispute is ownership of an elaborate castle in Ireland. So, as improbable as it may seem, Daniel and Audrey simultaneously visit Eire to check out the castle.

There, under the spell of the lovely land and lots of lager, they fall in love.

Most shocking of all, they wake up in bed together, sporting wedding bands (but no memory of the wedding). They then struggle to get out of their vows and properly defend their respective clients, all while denying the love that's obviously been sparked.

Brosnan and Moore are undeniably attractive, though there isn't much chemistry between them. Nor does the script give much indication of what they could possibly love about each other. Brosnan's character more befits the actor, while Moore struggles with a lot of physical comedy, which doesn't seem her forte.