The Accidental Husband – Review

The Accidental Husband reminds one faintly of Down With Love (Renee Zellweger) although it is nowhere near its class.

In Down with Love, the lead actor publishes a book advising women to do without love and the movie is about how the author finally has to eat her words. In The Accidental Husband (no spoilers), the lead actor (Uma Thurman), is Dr. Emma Lloyd is a host of a radio show/helpline on romantic matters who publishes a book on how to avoid the irresponsible men and go for sensible relationships. This, she says prevents heart-ache and subsequent divorce. She has a huge fan following, although many critics (men) as well. Their main grouse is that she looks at relationships superficially and has no right to advise anyone to break up without knowing the real situation.

Well, Emma is all set to marry someone who in her book is the ideal husband. But as luck would have it, she meets her nemesis in the form of a dashing and unpredictable fireman Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Colin Firth on the other hand is the steady, sensible, loyal boy-friend whom Emma is determined to marry. Just before their wedding, things start to go horribly wrong.

The theme of the movie (what goes into making a lasting relationship) is an interesting one but the movie does not explore it in depth. Also, there is an implication that a man who is reliable and a good husband is boring and such a premise itself exposes the hollowness of the approach of the director. But then this is a comedy – not to be taken seriously.

This movie received poor reviews (it was released several months ago in the UK and the US) and well, it does have a rather implausible story although the movie has good actors like Uma Thurman and Colin Firth.

There is something forced about this romantic comedy, right from the acting, the story, and the situations that the characters found themselves in. One does get a few laughs, but not really hearty ones. And the story is quite predictable.

Interestingly, there is an Indian family whom Patrick is a tenant with and their role is more than just a cameo. There is a little bit of Indian culture thrown in, and a bit of Indian music as well. Looks like Indians abroad have started to appear regularly in movies, and not just as cardboard cutouts of cabbies and owners of restaurants. Although Ajay Naidu (TV actor), who plays the role of Deep, is a restaurant owner, he is also a good friend of Patrick’s.

This movie is light, frothy entertainment. No depth, but for a 90 minute movie, it wasn’t terrible, considering what it set out to be.

(Photo is sourced from the movie site)