Georgia Rule

As befits a film helmed by Garry Marshall, Georgia Rule possesses few surprising plot twists and is generally about as stylish as a movie-of-the-week – and yet, despite a third act that goes on longer than necessary, it’s ultimately difficult not to be drawn into the soap opera-ish exploits of the central characters. The story, which follows three generations of sassy women (Jane Fonda’s Georgia, Felicity Huffman’s Lilly, and Lindsay Lohan’s Rachel) as they spend the summer revealing secrets and bonding, unfolds at a refreshingly deliberate pace, and there’s certainly no denying that most of the film’s characters eventually become compelling (albeit thoroughly archetypal) figures. Mark Andrus’ screenplay is at turns frustratingly predictable and unexpectedly dark; there’s consequently a schizophrenic vibe to the proceedings that’s impossible to overlook, with the film’s glossy atmosphere certainly at odds with some of the more bleak elements within the script (including a whole subplot revolving around the possibility that Lohan’s character was molested by her step-father). Still, the three leads are quite effective (although Dermot Mulroney, in a small but pivotal role as a local veterinarian, easily dominates his few scenes) and Marshall’s bland sensibilities aren’t quite as distracting as one might’ve feared, which ultimately ensures that Georgia Rule, gauged on its merits as a so-called chick flick, generally works surprisingly well.

**1/2 out of ****