Geoffrey Rush, a TV producer, tools into his driveway without a care in the world - until he sees a pool-equipment truck in his driveway. Suspicious, he stalks into his bedroom, only to find that his wife has been having an affair with the driver of the truck. He then starts shooting first, and asking questions later.

Cut to the divorce attorney's office. George Clooney has been hired by Rush's screen wife to defend her in the divorce trial - and the way he develops a defense strategy and eases her out of his office is hilarious. (Later in the film, we find Rush in an alley, homeless and seemingly delusional. This is offered as proof of Clooney's effectiveness in the courtroom.)

We are next treated to a visit to Clooney's office, this time by Edward Herrmann, a near-bankrupt businessman caught by wife Catherine Zeta-Jones in flagrante delicto. Herrmann comes to the office with what seems like an ironclad prenuptial agreement - until he mentions his precarious financial state, at which prompting Clooney is able to dig up evidence that Zeta-Jones is what used to be called a golddigger. (I would strongly advise seeing the movie to determine just who "spills the beans.")

Clooney and Zeta-Jones meet at the obligatory pre-trial reconciliation conference. Subsequently, she hires Clooney to negotiate a prenup with her second husband, played by Billy Bob Thornton. This prenup - said to be the most ironclad in the business, an agreement which has been universally upheld every time it has been challenged in court - is torn up by Thornton at the reception, after which we find Zeta-Jones plotting her divorce from Thornton, with Clooney, who is a guest at the wedding. In fact, we find this to be a pattern with Zeta-Jones - giving men the impression that she is in love with them, only to secretly plan the divorce, perhaps even during the courtship.

In certain ways, the plot is predictable. You know Clooney and Zeta-Jones will get together. You know, based on what I have already told you, what will happen to them. You know that Zeta-Jones always picks only the richest men, the better to take them to the cleaners during the divorce.

What you don't know is that Zeta-Jones - in a maneuver by Thornton's character which I am duty-bound not to reveal - is herself vulnerable to deception due to her greed. She talks a good game, but you know that a man capable of a Joe Millionaire type of lie can really pull the wool over her eyes. The way in which her character is written is itself somewhat sexist, especially so now that women can become vulnerable to golddigging men nowadays. The script makes the assumption that only women are out for wealthy spouses to "rip off."

There are also plot twists - perhaps predictable - which are enjoyable despite their predictability. In fact, the last half-hour or so of the film is made up of these plot twists, such as what eventually happens to Edward Herrmann's character.

As far as performances go, Clooney and Zeta-Jones are both believable - and funny. Both are especially well-suited to their roles; Zeta-Jones is devastating enough to carry off the "wealthy golddigger" role, and Clooney is just enough over the top to be extremely funny (and it doesn't hurt that he is handsome enough to carry off his leading-man persona in this film).

I would recommend this film for adults wishing to go for a pleasant evening's entertainment. It isn't GREAT FILMMAKING, and it certainly isn't for children, but it is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours as long as you are willing to overlook the stereotypes in Zeta-Jones' character.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age