Because I Said So (2007)

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This monstrosity is about an overbearing mother (Diane Keaton) going online to find a mate for her quirky daughter (Mandy Moore), settling on an architect (Tom Everett Scott). A hipster musician (Gabriel Macht) makes a play for quirky daughter, and now she's bedding both dudes (possible STD infestations be damned) and fighting with Mom, and her feelings for the men.

Instead of playing her role as overbearing, Keaton chose to interpret her character as the same stuttering ditz she played in the equally terrible "The First Wives Club." I remember when Keaton was an amazing actress- not so much anymore. The film makers put her through a bunch of slapstick situations that are embarrassing for performer and viewer. Entire scenes unravel to the point where I had to pause the DVD, turn to my wife, and ask "what is this? what am I witnessing here?" Really? We need to throw in a freaking musical number, too? Before you argue that I don't get this because I don't have the right genitalia, I am hard-pressed to think of any film relationship between parent and child that is this poorly written and acted. Moore brings her same old scrunchy-eyebrow, pouty-lipped performance, going schizophrenic in singular scenes. Her paramours' reactions to finding out they are being cheated on with each other falls flat, as do all of the "hilarious" set-pieces. I kept having to remind myself this was a comedy; one of many low points coming when Keaton loses her voice for no other reason other than writing notes to supporting characters is funnier- I guess?

Stats:
(2007) 102 min. (1/2 *) out of five stars
-Directed by Michael Lehmann
-Written by Karen Leigh Hopkins & Jessie Nelson
-Cast: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Tom Everett Scott, Gabriel Macht, Lauren Graham, Piper Perabo, Stephen Collins, Ty Panitz, Matt Champagne, Colin Ferguson, Tony Hale, Sophina Brown, Karen Leigh Hopkins
(PG-13)