On DVD: “New In Town”

Renée Zellweger and Harry Connick Jr. star in this romantic comedy about a high-powered female executive, Lucy Hill (Zellweger), who moves to a remote Minnesota town in homes of getting a big promotion.  She’s used to life in the big city (Miami) so you can imagine the predictable laughs and gags that take place when Lucy encounters icy roads, freezing weather and unwelcoming locals.  Of course, not everything in the blue-collar working town is bad.  The local union representative (Connick Jr.) makes her time in Minnesota a lot better than she expected.

Can I just say a couple things?  First, despite the fact that I will probably see this movie, I am annoyed by the “big city guy/girl heads to a small town and finds the meaning of life” storyline.  I get it.  Life in the city is fast-paced and people who live in the metropolises of the world have forgotten how to have a good time.  Let’s say I will accept that.  My second concern is about why Renée Zellweger has to repeatedly take on roles that appear to be defining her real life.  Her characters can’t seem to find love and neither can she.  There’s something sad about watching that kind of thing, do you know what I mean?  The last thing I want to say is that, in his next movie, I’d like to see Harry Connick Jr. cast as someone educated, well-off and powerful.  Why not?  Sure, he works as the small-town flame who attracts wounded women (rent something like Hope Floats if you need a better idea) and I love him in these types of roles but let’s branch out and try something new!

The saving grace is that I have heard from several people (and I’ve read on websites) that this movie is actually pretty funny.  I wasn’t too encouraged by the trailer (watch below) but I’m willing to give it a chance.

image: Rotten Tomatoes