Monster-in-Law Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman fresh out of the psych ward tries to sabotage her son’s wedding to JLo because…reasons, but mostly because Jane Fonda needs a job.

🍿 Monster-in-Law: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Charlotte Meets Kevin

Charlotte Cantilini, a struggling temp worker, has endured a series of terrible blind dates. Her luck changes when she encounters Kevin Fields, a successful and charming doctor. They quickly fall in love, and Kevin proposes marriage, offering Charlotte the stability and happiness she’s always desired.

Viola’s Disapproval

Kevin’s mother, Viola Fields, is a recently retired and unstable television personality who is devastated by her son’s engagement. She fears losing Kevin and becoming irrelevant. Viola embarks on a series of manipulative and outlandish schemes to break up Charlotte and Kevin.

Escalating Antics

Viola’s attempts to sabotage the relationship range from subtle undermining to outright sabotage, including fake illnesses and embarrassing Charlotte in public. Charlotte initially tries to appease Viola, but eventually decides to fight back, leading to a comical and escalating war between the two women.

Charlotte’s Counterattack

As Viola’s behavior becomes increasingly outrageous, Charlotte begins to plot her own revenge, utilizing comedic tactics to expose Viola’s manipulative nature. The rivalry intensifies, causing considerable stress for Kevin, who is caught in the middle of his mother and his fiancée.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charlie (Jennifer Lopez): A kind-hearted, multi-talented woman who finds herself battling her fiancé’s overbearing mother.
• Viola Fields (Jane Fonda): A recently fired, controlling talk show host who schemes to break up her son’s engagement.
• Dr. Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan): The handsome and successful surgeon caught between his fiancée and his overbearing mother.
• Ruby (Wanda Sykes): Viola’s sharp-tongued assistant who provides cynical commentary and reluctant assistance to her schemes.
• Fiona (Monet Mazur): Kevin’s vindictive ex-girlfriend who tries to sabotage his relationship with Charlie.
• Gertrude (Elaine Stritch): Viola’s own dreadful mother-in-law who exposes Viola’s flaws at the wedding.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Viola: “You’re a temp! You’re not good enough for him!” – Viola expresses her disapproval of Charlie based on her perceived lack of status and career.
• Ruby: “I think I dislocated my vagina.” – Ruby’s sarcastic reaction to the over-the-top antics of Viola and Charlie’s rivalry.
• Charlie: “You want a war? Let’s go to war.” – Charlie’s declaration of retaliation after enduring Viola’s sabotage attempts.
• Gertrude: “You killed him, Viola! Terminal disappointment!” – Viola’s mother-in-law blaming her for the death of her son/Kevin’s father

💰Box Office

• Budget: $43,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $82,931,301
• Worldwide Gross: $155,457,327

💥 Monster-in-Law Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I watched this movie for Jane Fonda. It was nice seeing her back on screen, even if the material wasn’t the best. Wanda Sykes was hilarious, though, and I found myself laughing more at her lines than anything else. I thought the ending was predictable, but it still left me feeling good overall. I just wouldn’t put it on my list of great movies. It’s just alright.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy movies about family dynamics”
  • “People looking for a lighthearted and entertaining film”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Comedic violence”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Monster-in-Law is a passable romantic comedy saved by Wanda Sykes’ comedic brilliance. The plot is as predictable as it comes and Jennifer Lopez offers a bland performance. A decent choice if you’re looking for some simple entertainment, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
• Hollywood Reporter: “Jane Fonda is good as a crazy person. Jennifer Lopez is pretty. The plot, dialogue, and direction is just bad, unoriginal and uninspired. Vartan does what little he can with the film’s most thankless role, but Kochoff’s script makes Kevin little more than a MacGuffin with abs, a device to get the plot rolling and nothing else.

Audience Reactions

Wanda Sykes stole every scene she was in, bringing much-needed humor.: The general consensus is that Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda’s performances were the highlights, despite a predictable plot.

Overall Consensus: While Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes deliver memorable performances, the movie suffers from a predictable plot and uninspired writing. Ultimately, it’s a watchable but not particularly memorable romantic comedy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jane Fonda’s role in ‘Monster-in-Law’ marked her return to acting after a 15-year hiatus.”
• “Jennifer Lopez and Michael Vartan had both recently ended relationships with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, respectively, creating some media buzz around their on-screen pairing.”
• “Elaine Stritch, who plays Viola’s mother-in-law, provides a pivotal perspective shift in the climax of the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Monster-in-Law?

Monster-in-Law is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it’s available for rent or purchase. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. For physical media, DVD and Blu-ray copies are also available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and at major retailers like Walmart and Target. Keep an eye out for special edition releases that may include bonus features.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Monster-in-Law, you might like these similar films:

• Meet the Parents (2000): Features a similar comedic clash between a protagonist and their significant other’s overbearing parent, creating humorous situations and awkward encounters.
• The Wedding Planner (2001): Also starring Jennifer Lopez, it shares the romantic comedy genre and explores themes of finding love in unexpected places amidst career-driven chaos.
• 9 to 5 (1980): Another Jane Fonda comedy that showcases strong female characters and comedic situations.
• Crazy Rich Asians (2018): Presents a modern take on family expectations and cultural clashes when a woman meets her boyfriend’s wealthy and disapproving family.

🛒 Monster-in-Law Related Products

• The Jane Fonda Exercise Collection: Get fit with Jane Fonda’s classic workout videos, now available as digital downloads. Feel the burn and channel your inner Fonda.
• Jennifer Lopez – This Is Me… Then (CD): Relive JLo’s iconic album with hits perfect for a feel-good movie night. A time capsule to the early 2000s and her personal life at the time.
• Prada Women’s Sunglasses: Channel your inner Hollywood star with a pair of stylish Prada sunglasses, similar to those seen in the movie. Add a touch of elegance to any outfit.
• Mother-in-Law Coffee Mug – “World’s Best”: A humorous coffee mug, perfect for a mother-in-law with a good sense of humor or as a gag gift. Makes morning coffee a little more entertaining.

🎧 Soundtrack

Monster-in-Law features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tell Mama” – performed by Etta James

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

I REACT to Monster-In-Law

Ever wonder what JLo *really* thought about a specific scene from ‘Monster-in-Law’? Watch her react to it! It’s super fun to see her break it down and you’ll probably catch things you didn’t before!

Jane Fonda: Jennifer Lopez Broke Skin During “Monster In Law” Slap | The Drew Barrymore Show

Did you know things got *real* during the slap scene between Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez? Jane Fonda tells a hilarious story about accidentally breaking JLo’s skin during filming! I can’t believe it actually happened!

Monster-In Law

Want a quick laugh? This animated short is a parody of ‘Monster-in-Law’ and it’s seriously hilarious! It’s a super creative take on the movie and guaranteed to make you chuckle.

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