Did You Hear About the Morgans? Proves Hugh Grant is a Reliable Smartass

Comments (0) By Robert Wilonsky Thursday, Dec 17 2009

Let's be honest here: Did You Hear About the Morgans? is multiplex meringue compared to the meat-and-potatoes cinema at this most award-whoring time of year. Which is fine.

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Better than fine, frankly, as Hugh Grant yet again proves he's the most reliable deadpan smartass this or that side of the Atlantic — and the actor Paul Rudd should aspire to be once he grows out of his bromantic period.

Grant's Paul Morgan is a Manhattan attorney who, along with his estranged wife (Sarah Jessica Parker as New York's real estate goddess), witnesses a murder, is forced by U.S. Marshals into a relocation program, and learns how to love again. Their destination: Ray, Wyoming, where they share a log cabin with the sheriff (Sam Elliott and his mustache) and his deputy missus (Mary Steenburgen).

At which point the comedy turns blue — as in, blue state versus red state, "real America" versus the one populated by liberal vegetarian New Yorkers and Brits who are probably real Jewish, too. And while the story never strays from its formula (how will these battling Bickersons ever find love again after all that betrayal and . . . oh, look, a bear's chasing Grant!), it's a thoroughly delightful throwaway—the kind of movie for which cable television was made.

Marc Lawrence writes and directs—as he did for Music and Lyrics—and he sure knows his way 'round a snappy tune.