America's Sweethearts: Your views

Just another average film churned out by Hollywood?

America's Sweethearts is a modern Hollywood satire starring Billy Crystal (who also wrote the script), Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Julia Roberts.

Zeta-Jones and John Cusack play Hollywood's estranged golden couple, Eddie Thomas and Gwen Harrison.

When their latest film is set to flop, their publicist (Crystal) tries to get them back together to deflect attention from the movie.

He has not banked, however, on Eddie falling for Gwen's sister Kiki (Julia Roberts).

"It is pleasant enough viewing, which tries to recreate the sharp-witted screwball comedy of Hollywood's golden age, but never captures the spirit that Hepburn and Tracy would have injected into proceedings had they made this film 50 years ago," wrote the BBC's Caroline Westbrook.

But what do you think?

Is this just another bland romantic comedy rolled straight off a Hollywood conveyor belt? Or is it a classic send-up of Tinsel Town?

Very disappointing, predictable and not one of Julia Roberts' best scripts......
Melanie Ruddle, UK

I can't believe that anyone would give this film more than two stars. Its bland and boring. Everyone is waiting for something to happen, and it never does. Eddie could have been played by Ben Affleck and Kiki by Sandra Bullock to create more spark. Billy Crystal is usually a comic genius, but this is a flop. A satirical portrait of their industry should be hard hitting and profound, not lukewarm and disappointing.
Tracy Day, UK

I thought this film was good. Admittedly, it does not compare to the "screwball" comedies of 50 years ago, but then this is not 50 years ago. Did you actually expect to compare Katharine Hepburn and Catherine Zeta-Jones and have Zeta-Jones come out on top? Hardly.

What this film does have is some "insider" humour. Billy Crystal presents a quirky look at what most people know goes on in Hollywood, and he does it well, with some genuinely funny moments. Julia Roberts is sparkling as usual and John Cusack looks gorgeous and vulnerable! Altogether a nice little film, but a minor health warning - check your brain at the door!
Stacey, UK

A massive disappointment given the talent and money deployed. Needed much better direction.
Richard Avis, UK

Billy Crystal gives himself all the best lines and who can blame him?

Christian, Australia

This is a film where the trailer looks more promising than the film itself. But in saying that, if you go into the movie theatre with no expectations, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Who would ever have imagined Julia Roberts as Catherine Zeta-Jones' PA? Not me, but believe me, Julia's role is not a supporting one. She shines through the movie, taking a backseat to Zeta-Jones and John Cusack.

Throughout the movie you can see the attraction between Cusack and Roberts and the ending of the film is staring you in the face from the start, but you just have to keep on watching, just to see.

An entertaining 'Saturday morning pictures' film suitable for anyone, from a bunch of mates, a first date or to those seeing in their 50th wedding anniversary. Go and see it,judge for yourself and enjoy.
Kate, UK

Poor plot and even poorer acting from Jones and Cusack. Billy Crystal saves the film with the help of Julia Roberts. Not worth the astranomical fees they were no doubt paid.
Tamsin Phillips, England

Poor Julia, she winds up in a fat suit and is largely irrelevant to the plot. Billy Crystal gives himself all the best lines and who can blame him? Surprise star of the show is the versatile Christopher Walken whose performance as the deranged Unabomber-loving auteur steals the show. Cusack also puts in another pleasing performance. All in all, well worth a viewing.
Christian, Australia

Although dragged along by my wife to see America's Sweethearts I surprisingly enjoyed most of the film

Patrick, Canada

Another so-so Hollywood movie, there is no real defining moment within the film that makes it memorable. It also appears that Julia Roberts is badly typecast. Catherine Zeta-Jones was dull and John Cusack played up his usual kookiness.
Angela M, UK

Julia Roberts and John Cusack are good, Julia being her beautiful bubbly self and John playing up his quirky side. Unfortunately, they should have stayed at home, rather than get up every day to film this. The script was not good, but the story was OK.

Its a pity about Catherine Zeta-Jones though, who's idea was that? Did someone have the brain child of giving her a part based on herself? She behaves smugly throughout the film, and seems to be effortlessly bitchy. Her performance is one of those best reserved to commercials and B-movies. Waste of a fiver if you ask me.
Mari, Belgium

Although dragged along by my wife to see America's Sweethearts I surprisingly enjoyed most of the film. John Cusack is awesome as ever and Billy Crystal both clever and funny. The Christopher Walken cameo is probably the high point of the movie. Catherine Zeta-Jones is enjoyably stroppy but her American accent falters with the occasional Welsh lilt slipping through.The plot is not as anti-Hollywood as it makes out. Shame about Julia Roberts who grins her way through as usual in this light but enjoyable romp!
Patrick, Canada

It is a horrible film. If you find it hard to prevent yourself from falling asleep, you are not alone! Julia Roberts is so talentless that one wonders how she ever won an Academy award.
Shankar Krishnamoorthy, USA

What is John Cusack doing in this piece of Hollywood fluff?

Katie, UK

Any film that has Julia Roberts and Catherine-Zeta Jones in it cannot possibly be a send-up of Hollywood! If Hollywood didn't exist, nor would they. I advise people to stop congratulating such vacuous talent by not going to see their films. The real-life irony would thus be substantially more enjoyable than the nickel and dime banter of the film.
Sven, UK

"A bland romantic comedy rolled straight off a Hollywood conveyor belt?" A perfect description!
Kathryn, England

Why do films these days always have happy endings? It is the ending that ruins this harmless little film - that and the fact that Catherine Zeta-Jones, for all her movie star posture and self-promotion (and let's face it, that's her job) is a terrible actress, with next to no screen presence.
Justin Steed, Sweden

I saw this film in Hong Kong a few weeks after the events in the US and have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. I had very little knowledge of the plot, but the combination of John Cusack and Billy Crystal was not to be missed.

In an increasingly cynical world it was a pleasure to see a funny, lighthearted romantic film that did not seek to tell me how to live my life. I enjoyed my few hours of escapism and will encourage other friends to see it as well...after all, what harm is it doing? Call me näive, but surely it's better to watch something silly, than sit through more hours of gratuitous sex and violence, even if it is meant to be 'edgy' and oh so trendy.
Claire Walker, UK and Hong Kong

The only on screen chemistry with the actors was between Billy Crystal and the dog!
SMB, UK

Even though I wanted to like it, I couldn't

Donna, UK

What is John Cusack doing in this piece of Hollywood fluff? Does the phrase "selling out" mean anything to you? I had to remind myself that this was the same man I'd seen in Being John Malkovich. An unspeakable waste of talent.
Katie, UK

This film is a load of rubbish. Catherine Zeta-Jones was not cast well at all, she overacts all the time. Bland, dull and boring. If over-boiled broccoli is your idea of fun, you will enjoy this, if not, save your cash. I would not even recommend this as a video rental when it comes out.
Sheila, USA

Complete waste of money. An absolute stinker.
Glenis, Australia

American Sweethearts is unlikely to win awards but it is light and entertaining with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The best person in it must be Hank Azura though - his politically incorrect, jealous, Hispanic boyfriend role is priceless!
Lynn Stewardson, England

Very disappointing considering such a super cast. They tried their best but they had a very bland script. A few laughs but predictable. A pleasant video watch maybe.
Amanda, UK

With Catherine Zeta-Jones and Julia Roberts I expected a lot from this film but it didn't deliver at all! Billy Crystal was the high point along with Christopher Walken. The rest was really quite awful. Even though I wanted to like it, I couldn't.
Donna, UK

I thought America's Sweethearts worked pretty well as a Hollywood satire, though understandably the script stopped short of sending the media circus up as much as it might have. What did surprise me is that it rated only a 12 certificate.
Judy Staines, England