Director and co-writer Rob Greenberg's surprisingly
buoyant remake of the 1987 romantic comedy offers a fresh take on the
original's zany forgotten-identity plot while also avoiding its frivolous
treatment of adultery. The spoiled scion (Eugenio Derbez) of one of Mexico's
richest families whiles away his days on a luxury yacht, awash in booze and
surrounded by lovelies. He clashes with a sensible but cash-strapped single
mother of three (Anna Faris) when she comes to clean the vessel's carpets. When
he subsequently falls overboard and awakens with amnesia, she sees press
coverage of the situation and, with the encouragement of her boss (Eva
Longoria), decides to take advantage of it by posing as his wife and taking him
home. As the wastrel adjusts to his new, impoverished lifestyle, a
transformation is in store. Taken strictly as a comic fantasy — the abduction
and deception are not to be condoned, though viewers are hardly likely to
imitate the heroine's actions — the film offers an entertaining parable about
redemption.
Watch out for: Implied
premarital sexual activity, fleeting male rear nudity, some sexual banter,
occasional crude language and an obscene gesture.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
PG-13
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2018