The Rebound

Written and directed by Bart Freundlich, The Rebound follows Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Sandy as she discovers that her husband (Sam Robards’ Frank) is having an affair and subsequently moves with their kids to a small New York City apartment – with the film generally detailing Sandy’s efforts at getting her life together and her surprising relationship with a much younger man (Justin Bartha’s Aram). It’s an intriguing premise that’s squandered from the word go by Freundlich, as the filmmaker has infused the proceedings with a hopelessly over-the-top sensibility that proves disastrous – with the sitcom-like atmosphere resulting in an absolute dearth of authentic or engrossing elements. The film’s pervasively wrongheaded vibe is heightened by the ongoing inclusion of eye-rollingly over-the-top sequences and interludes (eg Sandy is forced to continue a conversation while her date uses a portable toilet), and it is, as such, not surprising to note that’s one’s ongoing efforts at working up any interest in or sympathy for Sandy’s exploits fall distressingly flat. (There’s little doubt, too, that the movie’s problems are exacerbated by Zeta-Jones’ nigh atrocious performance, with the actress’ overuse of Botox and plastic surgery ensuring that she does, for much of the film’s running time, sport a single facial expression.) By the time the tedious fake break-up rolls around, The Rebound has certainly established itself as a thoroughly (and consistently) misguided piece of work that has almost nothing truthful or relevant to say about relationships.

*1/2 out of ****