My One and Only (2009)

The year is 1953. The war in Korea is over,but for former band singer, Anne Deveraux,the battle has just begun. After she walks in on her cheating,no good S.O.B. of a husband & his current "item",she packs her clothes,takes her two teen aged sons out of school,and proceeds to leave New York,forever to make a new life (and perhaps to find a new hubby,which won't be easy,as her better days as a singer/sex symbol of twenty-something years ago are far behind her). The trio make their way across the continental United States in search of something better. Renee Zellwegger absolutely shines as Anne,a woman determined to make better in life (or at least try). Her two sons (both by different men),George (played by Logan Lerman),who is an aspiring writer,and Robbie (Mark Rendall,who nearly steals the show),a closeted homosexual,who is toying with the idea of acting. Kevin Bacon has some nice,but brief time as Anne's cheating husband,Dan Deveraux. English director, Richard Loncraine ('Richard III','The Missionary',and one episode of 'Band of Brothers')works very well with his cast in recreating the era (the early 1950's),as well as his set designer (Brian Morris,who deserves kudos for his work here). This is one of those quirky,sleeper films that somehow manage to capture the hearts of the advantageous audiences that do turn out for "left of centre" films like these (in other words,films that shy away from the usual Hollywood bombast sausage factory kind of films that slither into the multi-plexus that are only happy to screen them---screw you,Jerry Bruckheimer). A film for audiences who truly care. Rated PG-13 by the MPAA,for rude language & sexual content (but nothing too graphic).

Fmovies: This is truly an engaging, endearing and very funny look into relationships; both romantic and filial, typical of the 1950's.

One member here criticized the movie as hetero-phobic; I wouldn't go that far, but men in the 1950's were certainly not metrosexuals! And the classy blond belle which Ms. Zellweger plays with pitch perfect demeanor is just the type of woman that would attract unattractive male attention. The brutes she meets give the film its energy and give her a journey worth making for the audience. And there are two supporting male characters who are good hearted in the film, so the criticism simply doesn't hold up. Zellweger has never been better!

What we have here is a funny and poignant story about the survival of a woman who leaves her husband in the world of the 1950's. As good as Ms. Zellweger is, the movie is stolen by the two very gifted young actors who portray her sons; Logan Lerman and Mark Rendall. The two of them couldn't be more different, but they are brothers and understand each other and understand their mother. Lerman plays the more grounded of the two and creates a very real and sympathetic portrait. Rendall plays the flighty older brother; obviously gay and has a good deal of the "zinger" lines which he delivers perfectly. After 20 minutes, you want to be with this family for the rest of the film.

This is the kind movie that depends on writing and Charlie Peters has given us a convincing and at times, very witty screenplay. You feel and understand every character. The movie is directed with an understated classiness by Loncraine. It moves from adventure to adventure fluidly with assurance and style. And the production design has perfectly captured the era.

Don't miss this one! Frankly, one of the best films of 2009.

This is in many ways a fascinating movie. It is certainly entertaining and moves quite well, and everybody puts their best into it. (The "making of" featurette on the DVD is a wonderful look into the making of a higher budgeted 'indie' movie by the way.) But there is one serious flaw to the film, and that is Renée Zellweger's performance. Whenever the character undergoes pressure, she gets all wobbly and quirky, like a character actor playing a supporting role - but she's not only the lead, she's what the picture is all about, so this is definitely a flaw that threatens to derail the whole project.

Fortunately, it doesn't. First, of course, everyone else in the picture submits wonderful performances. Logan Lerman is a marvelous young actor who strikes chemistry with practically everyone he interacts with. And the film is really beautiful to look at, and filled with pleasantly eccentric characters, in situations highly evocative of the era in which they occur, the 1950s.

Secondly, part of the problem with Zellweger's performance may have to do with the character herself. Although she fancies herself a Deep-South Southern Belle, deserving of the better things in life, once we meet her sister we realize that she really comes from the mid-South commercial class, and that her attitude of entitlement is a self-delusion. She is thus out of touch with her own life, and in need of review of her identity. On the other hand, her desperate search for a husband to support her has a realistic edge - the '50's America was not kind to single moms. The question thus becomes whether the inner struggles involved in her effort to survive repeated crises is well presented. I'm not sure it is, but not from want of trying on Ms. Zellweger's part. It may be that the core of the character is really hard to define.

Otherwise, I have no trouble recommending this often amusing, insightful glimpse into a complex family during an era of change. It may have no more weight than an old family snapshot of the era, but it is as telling and well-developed a snapshot as one could wish.

My One and Only fmovies. This film is about a woman who leaves her unfaithful husband and goes around the country to find another husband.

"My One and Only" may be a plain story but it is surprisingly engaging. The story is told very well, that it draws me and makes me feel a part of the family. The misfortunes that are bestowed upon Anne Deveraux is sad but mysteriously have a light hearted tone to it. Her determination to search for a new life is inspiring, I admire her courage and her drive to break out of her comfort zone. The two sons are acted well; George successfully radiates a confident and mature feel while Robbie shines as an effeminate individual that makes me smile in several scenes. I enjoyed watching "My One and Only", as it provides an engaging and touching reflection of family and romantic relationships.

Although many of the male characters depicted in this film are exaggerated and portrayed unsympathetically, I believe it was a cinematic device to move the story along more quickly. It wasn't necessary to further develop the character of the men who sought to marry the down-on-her-luck Zelleweger--it wasn't their stories being portrayed, but that of the story of Zelleweger's determination to provide for her sons. If the men were stereotypical and one dimensional, it was done to make a point. I found a lot of sly humor underlying some of their personalities. Having been raised in the 50's, I know it was a sad reality of that time that most women had fewer choices when it came to relationships. It was a man's world and women very often had to rely on their good looks and being connected to the right man to provide for their needs. If Zelleger's character seemed devious and contriving in trying to find a husband, it was because of those hard realities. Maybe one needs to be a woman who has experienced a similar life to appreciate this. I enjoyed the movie and although it wasn't laugh out loud funny, it was entertaining and worth seeing.

I've just seen the European Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Although it did not win the major prize it was very well received. I enjoyed it enormously. It tells of a 1930's high society mother (Renee Zellwegger - never better) who walks out on her unfaithful husband (Kevin Bacon) after discovering another woman in his bed. She sets out with her two sons on a road trip across America to find a new rich partner who can keep her and her sons in the style they have become accustomed. One of her sons is serious and bookish and regrets missing his schooling while the other is an extremely effeminate gay who dreams of becoming a Hollywood star (a wonderfully camp performance by Mark Rendall who 'steals the picture' with some superbly funny quips). The journey across America and the weird and wonderful characters they meet make this an exceedingly engaging 'Road Movie'. It is beautifully photographed and well acted and directed. The dialogue is sharp, funny and entertaining. Highly recommended!