‘Because I Said So’
makes you need some Midol

At the Movies
By Senitra Horbrook

There are movies specifically made by and for women that men should stay far away from. Since the audience at a recent showing was about 95 percent female (from my non-scientific estimate), Because I Said So is one of those films.
Mothers and daughters may get a kick out of this film, and it could be a great bonding experience, especially if you’re the type that likes to talk about everything — and I mean everything — with your mother.
But if your mother is the type who gave you a brief rundown on the birds and the bees 20 years ago, and never talked about it again, she might be a bit put off by the numerous conversations about the big "O" and watching a cute golden retriever and Diane Keaton get turned on by "adult" Internet sites.
For the general audience, there’s really not much to like in this film, which turns Keaton into an over-the-top meddling mother. Writers Karen Leigh Hopkins and Jessie Nelson (responsible for the tearjerker Stepmom) penned this movie full of girl power, with Keaton and singer-turned-actress Mandy Moore taking the reins as a mother and daughter with a love/hate relationship.
Michael Lehmann, director of Heathers and The Truth About Cats & Dogs, directs this film and is probably the reason why it isn’t one big commercial about feminine products.
Keaton’s role seems a lot like an extended version of her love-starved character in Something’s Gotta Give, a movie that I surprisingly enjoyed three years ago and still catch on HBO from time to time.
I’ll give Keaton some credit for being willing to take risks, although (thank goodness) we don’t see as much of her as in Something’s Gotta Give, when she appeared nude.
At 61, she’s not afraid to be seen in her granny panties and do love scenes, both of which are on display in Because I Said So.
Instead of getting feisty with Jack Nicholson, this time Keaton (as Daphne Wilder) gets feisty with her youngest and still unmarried daughter, a caterer named Milly (Moore). The older daughters Maggie (Lauren Graham of TV’s Gilmore Girls) and Mae (Piper Perabo of Coyote Ugly) are both happily married and have escaped mommy’s tight grip.
Left to fend for herself is Milly, who after a number of bad relationships is ready to throw in the towel. Single mom Daphne sees so much of herself in Milly and doesn’t want her to wind up old and alone.
Daphne decides to go Internet shopping for a mate for Milly and finds a suitor to her liking, a yuppie architect named Jason (Tom Everett Scott). By chance, Daphne also meets musician/single dad Johnny (Gabriel Macht) but decides he’s a heartbreaker and not good enough for her daughter.
Johnny takes the initiative to find Milly and pursues her while she’s dating Jason. Of course, Milly has no idea her mom has orchestrated the whole relationship.
There’s a big reveal and some are tears shed (by the characters, not me), but by the end of the film they all kiss and make up.
Nothing is particularly special or memorable about Because I Said So. The few comedic moments are raunchy and not at all intelligent. The character of Daphne is one that I would run from if she were my mother. Diane Keaton, with all her off-the-wall fashion of polka dots and ties, is very over-the-top, and at times I just couldn’t take the fussing and had to tune her out.
Mandy Moore is genuine and likable, even though her character comes across as brain-dead. Yes, she’s dating two guys, but it’s clear who she’s into from the beginning, and it’s wrong to string the other along.
The males in the film are typical romantic-comedy stereotypes. Jason, the yuppie architect, is "soulless" because he likes red wine and modern architecture. Johnny, the musician, is perfect because he’s a single dad. Stephen Collins (from TV’s Seventh Heaven) is Joe, the single dad of Johnny, who seems to be an at-will babysitter for Johnny’s son. He’s also the cure for lovesick Daphne.
It almost has come to be expected that Super Bowl weekend and Valentine’s Day bring out these unfunny romantic comedies. Here’s hoping that next year will be different. Wishful thinking? Maybe.
But no more wishful than those who thought Because I Said So was going to be a big hit. ••
Movie Grade: D