SNMR 6.15: "What Happens in Vega$"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "What Happens in Vega$" (2008, PG-13, 99 minutes) starring Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Treat Williams and Dennis Miller. The film was directed by Tom Vaughan.

PLOT SUMMARY: Slacker and slob Jack (Kutcher) gets fired from his job by his dad and goes to Las Vegas to let off some steam. Uptight neatnick Joy (Diaz) gets dumped by her fiancee' just before she was to throw him a surprise birthday party. She goes to Las Vegas to blow off some steam. Predictably they meet, get drunk and get married. When they realize what they've done they want a divorce. Complicating things is that Jack wins $3 million dollars on a slot machine with Joy's quarter. Both Jack and Joy believe they are entitled to all of the money. That's where the battle of the sexes begins.

MY OPINION: This story is very predictable, but that's okay. When you watch this movie you're not interested in Oscar winning performances, you're watching for the comedy. You're watching for rediculous situations to see how the characters deal with them. Diaz has proven that she can do drama as well as comedy equally well and doesn't dissappoint. The jury's still out for me on Kutcher, who is likeable enough, has a still hot wife, but is only a marginal acting talent. The supporting actors are good, especially the straight man role for Dennis Miller as the judge who sentences the couple to six months of hard marriage.

I have to admit that I was amused by this movie. It's a good waste of 99 minutes.

*** out of *****