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Rating:  -
Brittany Murphy just gets better and better as an actress; this time around, she more than holds her own onscreen with the formidable Holly Hunter (who as always is a revelation!). Smart casting all around makes this a joy to watch, even in the clunkier moments... especially noteworthy is the under-the-radar Ms. Nicholson, who gives an exceptional supporting performance as Joyce.
The movie is thoughtful, absorbing and well-done, but as a 'comedy' it's not really all that 'funny,' and, well, it's also deeply weird. Exactly WHY it's weird is something that can't be discussed without giving away the game... N.B. If you are seriously thinking of viewing this, don't read ANY plot summaries, because an element of surprise is critical to enjoying what this film has to offer.
The reason I bring it up is that it's advertised as a silly, sprightly romantic comedy, kind of like a 'date' movie, and it isn't really. Check out that cute photo on the DVD cover! Sounds like a zany madcap romp! False advertising; the movie is well-worth seeing, but it's not a 'date' movie.
I now see that writing this review was unwise, because there's interesting things in the film that I really wanted to talk about on a critical level, but I can't do that here without ruining the film for people. So I guess I'll keep my thoughts to myself.
It's an interesting movie, if flawed. Worth a look.
Rating:  -
I've seen so many movies that have slow parts, that start good and end with me wanting MORE. This movie didn't have any slow parts, none of those "wow that so would not happen" parts or the parts that have me fast forwarding because I'm so humiliated for the main character. And then when it seems like this movie is going to end the way all mediocre movies end, like they're unfinished, you get surprise after surprise. Everything's going to be okay. Neither me or Stacy are left sad and depressed when the movie's over. Great twist when everything comes together towards the end, there's definitely a bit of a shock factor hopefully everyone will enjoy.
Rating:  -
A career-girl comedy that lamely morphs into a satirical look at the television industry, "Little Black Book" is an uneven fusion of "American Virgin", "Livin' Large", and "Broadcast News" (in fact Holly Hunter looks like she has not aged since playing her Jane Craig role in 1987). Thankfully it is somewhat better than "American Virgin" although that is extremely faint praise. There is even a little bit of "To Die For" inserted as heroine Stacy Holt (Brittany Murphy) frequently speaks about her dreams of becoming another Diane Sawyer. The real highlight of the movie is the appearance of insurance salesman Ned Ryerson from "Groundhog Day", wearing a toupee.
There are some good things about "Little Black Book". It is somewhat original, although that is largely due to recent introduction of Palm Pilots and etc. as the little black books of the 21st century. Stacy and her boyfriend Derek (Ron Livingston) have good chemistry and Derek's dog (Bob) provides a good excuse for utilizing Murphy's talent for physical comedy. Stacy and Derek have one especially good scene when he discovers and confronts her about snooping through the stuff in his apartment. Julianne Nicholson and Murphy have great chemistry and their scenes together are quite unaffected and real. Nicholson plays a character much like her critically acclaimed Ella Smalley role in "Tully". Nicholson underplays nicely yet can be convincingly intense when required.
"Little Black Book" suffers from having Hunter and Murphy as its leads because a viewer can only take so much raspy-voiced dialogue. This is compounded by a scripting that requires a lot of voice-over narration from Murphy. Her raspy disembodied voice is painful but not as painful as listening to Maybelline model Josie Maran attempt an unspecified foreign accent. Maran is great decoration and while she brings far more than Kathy Ireland's constant expression of stunned surprise to her performance, she is not up the task of doing accents. One wonders about the basic competence of director Nick Hurran, how could he listen to something this awful and not pull the plug and allow her to play the character with her normal voice.
But the ultimate downfall of "Little Black Book" is in the story itself. Despite an endless amount of tedious preaching (mostly on the amorality of the television ratings game), it fails to deliver a consistent or even intelligible message, then it cheats and spits up out of nowhere a moronic happy ending featuring Carly Simon. Bleah!!!
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Rating: -
Britney Murphy (Clueless, 8 Mile, Uptown Girls) plays Stacy Holt, a woman who loves Carly Simon, wants to meet Barbara Walters, and is very insecure with her relationship with her boyfriend Derek. Encouraged by her co-worker/friend, she investigates what she "thinks" is infidelity through his 'palm' which holds what seems like incriminating information. While trying to balance her job working for a Jerry Springer-like talk show, concealing her TRUE identity from Derek's ex's, and smashing answereing machines, she doesn't know what really is going on behind the scenes. This movie is very good and proves that trust and how you feel about your self play an important part in relationships as well as life.
Rating:  -
BBC film reviewer has nicely described 'Little Black Book' as 'Broadcast News' meets 'My Best Friend's Wedding.' The difference from these enjoyable films is that despite the presence of eternally lovely Brittany Murphy, you will probably find this 'romantic comedy' very embarrassing.
Sad thing is, like his previous sex-changing comedy 'Virtual Sexuality' made five years ago (starring charming Laura Fraser), Nick Hurran's 'Little Black Book' has good if not original premise. Suppose your girlfriend (named Stacy) can spy into your Palm Pilot, find some recent messages from your ex-girlfriend(s)? Suppose Stacy is played by Brittany Murphy, who gets more and more obsessed with the idea of finding out the truths, pretending someone else to 'interview' them personally? And Stacy, a big Carly Simon fan too, happens to be working at a local TV station in New Jersey, dreaming of becomeing a Diane Sawyer?
On paper, it looks great. On screen, it becomes something else. To me, the film's problem is not Stacy's spying part, which the film managed fairly well with the charms of Brittany Murphy and some slapstick jokes. I am writing this review from a strictly male viewpoint, but I can understand her behaviors though I don't personally welcome them.
No, the problem comes from two Oscar winners, Stacy's mentor at TV station played by Holly Hunter and "Kippie Kann," host of Jerry Springer-type show played by Kathy Bates. I am not allowed to reveal much here, but I can tell you this much. 'Little Black Book' takes unexpected turn in the second half, in which things get more nasty and incredible. There is a 'surprise' to Stacy, of which credibility goes far beyond the reach of my understanding of American legal systems.
In other words, 'Little Black Book' suddenly becomes a feel-bad movie. Yes, I know. Some take it differently, but I insist. It's a feel-bad film, but how can it be anything else? When Kathy Bates with heavy make-up gives her worst acting as annoying as anyone in 'Battlefield Earth'? When the actions of Holly Hunter's character is totally unaccountable? And most of all, when gifted Brittany Murphy still couldn't find the role made for her?
'Little Black Book' starts like romantic comedy, but ends with a feeling like watching Jerry Springer show titled 'I Stalked My Boyfriend's Exes.' Well, there is nothing wrong with Mr. Springer and his shows themselves, but I usually expect something else when I see Brittany Murphy's name.
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