New In Town

While this movie follows the standard RomCom formula and is totally predictable, it does have a couple of things in it that make it worth a watch. First, the cold weather and fish-out-of-water Miami girl spending her winter in Minnesota is very interesting especially for folks for have known both extremes. Second, the great cluster of locals make for enough funny moments to keep us interested.

Renée Zellweger looks her age and as if shes had too much work done to hide. Sorry Renée but some of the close-ups were not very flattering. Perhaps this was by design? If so, the effect is successful.

Harry Connick Jr. plays her professional "rival" but personal love-interest. Similar to his character in "Hope Floats", this character is scared and flawed and available. The relationship is a bit rushed by the time constraints of the movie and never really felt real to me.

The real "characters" of this story are the locals, played to perfection by the likes of Siobhan Fallon, J. K. Simmons, and Frances Conroy. If you know anyone from Minnesota you will surely recognize these folks. No offense intended - I love these people. Ja sure.

This is sort of a cross between "Gung Ho" and "Hope Floats" and "Norma Ray", but don't read too much into that comparison.

Watch this movie with someone who has had to get out of coveralls in a hurry.