BEN YOUNGER

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB. 

USA, 2005.  Prime Film Productions LLC, Stratus Film Co., Team Todd, Focus Features, Younger Than You.  Screenplay by Ben Younger.  Cinematography by William Rexer.  Produced by Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd.  Music by Ryan Shore.  Production Design by Mark Ricker.  Costume Design by Melissa Toth.  Film Editing by Kristina Boden.  

Uma Thurman visits her psychiatrist (Meryl Streep) to deal with the pain of her recent divorce, which is then alleviated somewhat by her striking up a romance with a cute 23 year-old (Bryan Greenberg) she meets at a movie theatre. What she does not know is that her new boyfriend is her therapist’s son, and Streep catches on to this unfortunate truth well before either of the lovebirds do, making for some very uncomfortable situations in the doctor’s sessions with her patient (“His penis is so beautiful, I want to knit it a hat.”) Despite moments of inspired hilarity, not to mention two very strong performances by the female leads, this romantic comedy is sluggish and never gains any momentum. Streep’s character is unreasonable, and Greenberg is just unlikeable: he comes off as ignorant and unwilling instead of thoughtful and young. It’s no surprise that Uma would get off on him physically, but why she develops deep feelings is a complete mystery. Thurman, on the other hand, is ravishing, and seems to be getting more beautiful with each passing year, and her deft comic timing is the film’s best quality. Look for a cameo by the lovely Madhur Jaffrey.