Fonda shines as the mother-in-law from hell in 'Monster-in-Law'

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

MONSTER-IN-LAW (PG-13) Two-and-a-Half Stars (Fair-to-Good) A so-so romantic comedy, elevated by the return of Jane Fonda in a funny, full-throttle comic performance as the mother-in-law from hell. Jennifer Lopez co-stars for director Robert Luketic. New Line, 102 minutes.

Admittedly, "Monster-in-Law" isn't what you'd call a high road to a comeback, but Fonda still energizes the screen like the old pro that she is.

Jennifer Lopez co-stars as the bride-to-be — and the object of spite and annoying interference from the groom's mother.

Quite frankly, without Fonda, "Monster-in-Law" would be just another innocuous J-Lo romantic comedy, certainly better than "Gigli" but only on a par with "Maid in Manhattan" and "Jersey Girl." Director Robert Luketic brings to "Monster-in-Law" the same basic, sitcom comic style he brought to "Legally Blonde."

Fonda is Viola Fields, a famous talk show host in the Barbara Walters tradition. Just as she discovers a brainless twit is replacing her, Viola also learns her son Kevin (Michael Vartan) has a new girlfriend he's just asked to marry him. The son is a doctor, the fiancee, Charlotte (Lopez), is a lowly temp secretary, and so Viola is in despair about the pending nuptials. (Heck, Viola is so self-absorbed and clinging of her son, the fiancee could be Lady Di, come back to life, and she'd object.)

Thus begins Viola's intense scheming to derail the marriage. She obnoxiously tries to take over the wedding plans, she assigns spies to dig into Charlotte's past, she unleashes Kevin's temptress former girlfriend on him, and much more. But Charlotte proves to be a far more worthy adversary than Viola could have imagined. Before you know it, the future mother and future daughter are toe-to-toe in a battle royal.

Lopez, like her character, also shows considerable resilience in the face of the Oscar-winning veteran playing opposite her. Lopez is charming, tough and amusing; and even pokes a bit of fun at her famous derriere as she struggles to put on a dress.

Vartan, meanwhile, is surprisingly bland and offers little impact as Kevin. Character actress Wanda Sykes, however, steals every scene she has as Viola's much put-upon, long-time assistant; the witty and clever power behind the Fields throne.

Fonda dives headlong into the comic mayhem of her role, and yet maintains the style and grace and gravitas of a major Hollywood diva. We can only hope the actress is back on the screen to stay, and that we'll soon see her devoting her skill to a worthier project.

Rated PG-13, with profanity and sexual innuendo.