Jennifer Aniston plays a neurotic and insecure woman engaged to be married. She is heading home to Pasadena with her boyfriend to attend her sister's wedding. She feels like she has never fit in with her family but she doesn't really go over the deep end until she hears a rumor. She hears that her family served as the inspiration for THE GRADUATE, starring Dustin Hoffman.

She does the math and realizes that her father may not really be her father. Her mother is unable to answer any questions, having died many years before and her grandmother, played brilliantly by Shirley McLean will not talk about the matter. She decides to try and track down the mystery man.

Her search leads her to a wealthy and successful entrepreneur played by Kevin Costner. He confirms the rumors about the book and the movie but maintains that he cannot be her father. He also sees Aniston and decides to try for the Triple Crown. This attempt leads to even more familial confusion and damages more relationships.

This film has a few light moments but it is not great as either entertainment or as a work of art. It is one of those things I am glad to have seen but have no need ever to see again. The most likeable character in the whole piece is the dad, the real one who raised the girl. He is matter of fact, truthful and manages to get keep everything in perspective.

If you do watch this film, it definitely helps to have seen the original GRADUATE. I suppose one could follow the story line without having seen it but it will make much more sense with that frame of reference.

Jennifer Anniston, Kevin Costner, & Shirley McLaine are 3 of the jewels in this smart, slight bracelet about a girl who * knows* [correctly] that her family are 'the Robinsons' from the movie & book of -The Graduate- ... but that's just the tip of the iceberg in the tale.

The crux of the story is Sarah Hutchinson, stuck in a boring job w/an agreeable youth who may - then again, may not - be the love of her life. Going home for her sister's wedding, Sarah is *so* neurotic that i was afraid she'd explode [she doesn't], but she makes it clear she's *not* like her family. When she 'discovers' the secret her grandmother is hiding from her, Sarah goes to meet Beau Burroughs, who she thinks is her father. He's not - thus saving her a bundle in therapy bills - but he *is* interested in this girl who resembles her now-dead mother...

Mark Ruffalo in particular is superb as the long-suffering fiancé, who endures a lot ... but not *too* much. & Richard Jenkins as the girls' father is drop-dead impressive as the man who has a secret or 2 of his own. McLaine has gotten a *lot* of praise, but Kathy Bates as a friend who knew & *didn't* tell is terrific. & Mena Suvari as the 'bouncy' sister who collapses on her honeymoon is truly great in a dreadful role.

All in all, not a truly great movie, but by no means worth a pan. & i **LOVE!** the use of music in this film; it was worth several laughs by itself!

Fun movie, great cast. A bit unbelievable of course but still a good movie, it keeps moving along. The good cast and acting saves it from being too silly.

Anything with Jennifer Aniston is a hit for me!

Without a doubt, the cast is great and I absolutely love Rob Reiner and George Clooney as directors. The story line was very good, and I don't think you could've asked for a better cast. Unfortunately, with such a stellar group, I guess I expected a Ruth's Chris filet and felt like this talented group of artists had cooked up a chop house burger. While I like burgers, it just wasn't what I was expecting. It wasn't anything reflected on the actors or actresses themselves, but the way the script was written made it difficult to care about the characters aside from Ruffalo and Jenkins towards the end. I also think that the confused, flaky character Aniston is typically cast as has been done to death by her. It's a sad thing to watch anyone's talent and potential be limited. Aniston was great as Stiller's flaky girlfriend in 'Along Came Polly'. She was great (and not a flaky character) with Wilson in 'Marley & Me'. Someone should try casting her in a role somewhat like Byrne's 'In Treatment' character, as I think she could bring depth to the role like Byrne did (good show..unfortunate that it was cancelled).

I really enjoyed this movie. Very entertaining

Boy, what a bunch of soreheads have reviewed this film. I almost didn't watch it because of all the carping reviews. However,I did watch it and I'm glad I did. Since the plot, such as it is (and I agree it is pretty skewed and featherweight) has been reviewed ad nauseum before me, I will address only the overall quality of the movie. I found it very entertaining but I wasn't looking for great depth or originality in what was obviously a bit of fluff. The performances of the cast lift it above the norm--Shirley MacLaine is very funny, Anniston is good in a very Rachel-type role, Ruffalo's part is well done if not real demanding and he continues to be a likeable presence in these romantic comedies; Costner is in his laid-back and genial mode and only Mena Suvari seemed a bit overdone or irritating. It's not world-shaking comedy but it's funny; it's not world-shaking anything but it doesn't pretend to be; and I found it several cuts above recent comedies that were more highly touted ("The Family Stone"--with a bunch of mean-spirited, snotty and unattractive relatives ; "Failure to Launch"--a bit funnier but featuring a boneheaded overgrown juvenile; "How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days"--one of the most irritating and least funny movies in a long time).If you can lighten up and just go with a slightly wacky and insubstantial comedy with funny characters played by pros, you will probably enjoy this film more than you expect to.

o movie can watch again