"Monster-in-Law proves that the once intense Ms. Fonda is capable of laughing at the world in general and herself in particular." Philip Wuntch DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Knockabout comic is just the latest incarnation in Fonda's life so far. Let her rip." Peter Travers ROLLING STONE "Fiendishly good fun." Stella Papamichael BBC "Trust me, Monster-in-Law not only makes more sense as an Unforgiven-ish parable of old-school Hollywood feminism's wrath, it's worlds more fun." Geoff Pevere TORONTO STAR "Fonda and Lopez take a potentially tired concept and give it new life" Jeffrey Lyles GAZETTE

"It takes awhile for `Monster-In-Law' to bare its teeth, but once the movie does...everything on the screen begins to click." Josh Larsen SUN PUBLICATIONS CHICAGO IL "Monster-in-Law is first and foremost a triumphant comeback for Fonda, whose acting chops complement a presence that puts most of today's stars to shame." Lou Lumenick NEW YORK POST "Fluff has it's place, and it's awfully good to see feel-the-burn Jane back in action, unrepentant and laughing at herself and the world." Tom Long DETROIT NEWS "Consequently, Monster-In-Law ain’t half-bad, and is far more entertaining than it has any right to be." Stefan Halley HERO REALM "Calm and collected, even when going stark-raving mad, Fonda has the veneer of a true movie star and sells her title character through the sheer virtuosity of her performance." Todd Gilchrist FILMSTEW.COM

The Inside Story

"Roaring through the film like a California wildfire, Fonda gives a powerhouse comic performance." .... James Sanford KALAMAZOO GAZETTE

Anya Kochof says the inspiration for her screenplay "originally came from years of conversations the writer had with her girlfriends." Through comparing notes with the other newlyweds Anya found "a treasure trove of funny and sometimes heart-breaking incidents at her fingertips." A month of hard work at her computer produced her first draft script. "There’s an old saying, when you marry the guy, you marry the family," she says. "I never believed that until I got married myself. It’s hard enough to deal with the idiosyncrasies of your own relatives without taking on the problems of a whole new family. That’s what this movie is really about, it’s about being so excited to meet the man of your dreams and then realizing that there’s an entirely separate set of issues that come with it, because even perfect love has its drawbacks. This is a story of overcoming those drawbacks; it’s the bride-underdog story." Producer C J Spink who is one half of the partnership in Benderspink says; "The title alone had me interested. Some of the best movies seem to work when you know what to expect just from the title. Of course it works best if the audience has a strong connection through a universal theme, like Meet The Parents, for example. There is a great deal of commonality in the title. In the same vein, the script for Monster-in-Law delivers the title’s promise because it’s a funny and compelling story at its core." Producer Paula Weinstein was thrilled to become part of the producing team. "You say Monster-in-Law and people go, ‘Oh my God, do I have a story for you!’" says Weinstein. "It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about the mother-in-law or the daughter-in-law; it all depends on your point of view." New Line Cinema co-chairman and CEO Bob Shaye had a view that Weinstein's good friend Jane Fonda might be interested in the film. The big question was whether she was interested in returning to acting again. "Viola is someone a lot of people are familiar with and she’s someone a lot of people can identify with," says producer JC Spink. "We knew we wanted an icon to play this character, and Jane Fonda is one of the greatest actresses of our time. Her presence could match the size of the character, but she’s someone you’d never expect to see in this role because even though we see her in the news, we haven’t seen her in movies for a while. Also, Jane has never played the villain per se, but she fit the bill better than anyone else." Spookily enough, Fonda sensed there was something in the air for her. "I can’t explain it, but I was ready and some vibe must have drifted into the atmosphere because people started calling my agent," she says. "I am a different person than I was 15 years ago and I was curious to see how that would read on screen and whether that would affect my work. Up until now, I hadn’t really wanted to go back to work. I hadn’t even thought about it." Fans of the two time Academy Award winner ["Klute" & "Coming Home"] will be glad she took up the role of Viola Fields. Just as there will be many fans out there, pleased to see Jennifer Lopez in another starring role and sharing the screen with the legendary Fonda who is wickedly wonderful as Viola. "After they mentioned her name, I couldn’t picture anyone else in the role, so it was perfect when she accepted," says Jennifer Lopez. "I was very excited to be working with an actress of her caliber and legendary status." so did they get on well? Like a house on fire! "We really liked each other," says Lopez. "We had a mutual respect for one another. There is no half-way with Jane; she gives one hundred percent every single time, every single line, every single scene. I admire the way she handles herself, her preparation, and the passion she has after being in this business for so many years." And how was Fonda on the set? "She comes to set and takes risks and doesn’t care what anybody thinks. That’s Jane Fonda. She is the epitome of what you hope an actor is when you first start out," Lopez notes. "She is the real thing. It made me love her even more." Unlike most of the US film critics, Fonda was very impressed by Lopez. "I will tell you one thing about Jennifer Lopez," Fonda said, "this woman is deeply talented. She really knows her stuff. I can see her directing one day because she knows how to plan out each scene and she’s not scared to try anything. She is very smart. Jennifer was very helpful to me, especially during the extremely physical comedy. She’s terrific. We worked very well together, although I did get a little jealous when Robert Luketic put her picture on his computer’s screen saver!" Australian director Robert Luketic, who had signed on before the two stars came onboard was impressed with the films storyline. "The potential of such strong personalities on screen and off excited the hell out of me." And did he have any doubts about directing only his third feature while working with two of Hollywood’s biggest stars? "Robert was not intimidated in the least," recalls producer Chris Bender. Luketic met Lopez at her home. He was impressed by two things he says. Her beauty and the way she smelled. What! Please explain that Robert. "I was mesmerized. We had a wonderful meeting but she still won’t tell me anything about the top-secret perfume," he jokes. "Jennifer is an incredibly impressive force, juggling her many careers, but what comes across strongest is how fundamentally sweet she is. We became quite close during production." Luketic met the Hollywood legend Jane Fonda over lunch. "I think she wanted to meet the kid who was going to direct her, so I put on my best shirt and headed to the restaurant. In walks Jane Fonda and suddenly I am sitting across from Barbarella and Brie Daniels and all the other characters she’s played. I spent the whole lunch staring at her; not only does she look great, she is utterly fascinating." And what did Fonda think of the boy from OZ? "My first impression of Robert was that he could be my son," Fonda recalled. "I’ve never worked with a director that could be my son. He wears braces, rides around on a scooter, plays on his computer all day, and laughs through every take. He’s like a kid." Luketic also won the heart of another legend. Producer, 20 year veteran of the film industry and the woman who co-founded Spring Creek Productions with Mark Rosenberg, Paula Weinstein. "I fell in love with Robert Luketic for the fiftieth time on Jane’s first day of camera test," she says. "The key crew was all there, Jane walked on set, they rolled film and after the first take, Robert said, 'Cut! Welcome back, Miss Fonda.' The set erupted in applause. It was wonderful of him to acknowledge her return and for the crew to feel strong enough to applaud as they did." Yes, I must agree with Weinstein and Luketic that it is a joy to see Ms Fonda back on the screen and giving a poerhouse performance as Viola. I'm sure audiences will find much more to enjoy when they see "Monster In Law", provided their heads aren't clouded by the critics quotes in the USA. Fonda's advice to those seeing the film is simple; "Don’t think too much, just grab a big bag of popcorn and have a good time," she says. "And bring your in-laws. Or maybe not." Sound advice indeed. Crew Bytes "MONSTER IN LAW" was .......
directed by Robert Luketic ["Legally Blonde" and "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton"]; screenplay by Anya Kochoff ["Frazier", "Ellen", and "Something Wicked"]; costume design by Kym Barrett ["From Hell", "Gothika", "The Matrix", "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions"]; production design by Missy Stewart ["Drugstore Cowboy", "Good Will Hunting", "To Die For" and "My Own Private Idaho"]; edited by Scott Hill ["Patch Adams", "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton", "Just Married" and "Bruce Almighty"] and Kevin Tent A.C.E. ["Girl, Interrupted", "Election", "About Schmidt" and "Sideways"]; cinematography by Academy Award winner Russell Carpenter A.S.C. ["Titanic", "Charlie’s Angels", "Shallow Hal" and "The Negotiator"]; original music by David Newman ["Cat in the Hat", "Scooby-Doo", "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed", "Dr Doolittle 2" and "Ice Age"] produced by Chris Bender & J C Spink ["American Pie ", "The Butterfly Effect", "The Ring", "American Pie 2" and "American Wedding"], Michael Flynn ["Remember the Titans", "Hearts in Atlantis", "Pushing Tin" and "Wall Street"] and Paula Weinstein ["Nine to Five", "Brubaker", "The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Analyze This" and "The Perfect Storm"]. Casting About "MONSTER IN LAW" stars .......
Two time Acadamy Award winner, EMMY AWard winner Jane Fonda ["Klute", "Coming Home", "The China Syndrome", "Nine to Five", "On Golden Pond" and "Jane Fonda’s Workout"]; Jennifer Lopez ["Mi Familia", "Money Train", "Selena", "The Cell", "The Wedding Planner" and "Maid In Manhattan"]; Michael Vartan ["Fiorile", "Never Been Kissed", "One Hour Photo", "The Pallbearer" and "The Myth of Fingerprints"]; 1999 EMMY AWard winner; 2001 American Comedy Award winner; 2002 EMMY Award winner and 2003 Comedy Central Commie Award winner Wanda Sykes ["Pootie Tang", "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps" and "Down to Earth"]; Adam Scott ["Dinner and Driving", "High Crimes", "Torque" and "The Aviator"]; Annie Parisse ["How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "National Treasure"]; Monet Mazur ["Forty Days and Forty Nights", "Angel Eyes", "Just Married" and "Kiss the Bride"]; Elaine Stritch ["The Scarlet Hour", "The Spiral Staircase", "Cocoon: The Return", "Out To Sea" and "Small Time Crooks"]; Will Arnett ["The Waiting Game", "The Broken Giant", "Ed’s Next Move" and "The Acting Class"]; Stephen Dunham ["The Mummy", "Traffic", "Catch Me If You Can" and "Anger Management"] and Stephanie Turner ["Monster-in-Law"] as the Popstar. What It's All About

"Monster-in-Law delivers the most laughs of any comedy since Meet the Fockers." Chuck O'Leary FANTASTICA DAILY

Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini thinks she's finally found 'Mr Right'. That man is none other than the handsome Doctor Kevin Fields. Unbeknown to Charlie, Kevin comes with an overprotective Mother. Viola Fields is a TV personality who has rubbed shoulders with the rich, famous and powerful of the world, until the network decides to replace her with a much younger, more beautiful woman. In her final on-air interview Viola snaps and suffers a breakdown. Two months later Viola is ready to return to the real world and the one thing she loves above all else, her son. Then Kevin introduces her to 'Charlie', the love of his life and the woman he wants to marry. There's no way Viola is going to have her son marrying a 'temp'. Now the claws, knives, you name it are out as Viola becomes the mother-in-law from hell, a monster-in-law. Watch your back 'Charlie'. Viola will do anything she can to stop the impending wedding and keep Kevin for herself. The Verdict "It's a simple film that works well thanks to the lovely Ms Jane Fonda and one of America's funniest black comedians the very talented Wanda Sykes. The rest of the cast are only window dressing for a film which showcases the acting prowess of Fonda. Jennifer Lopez makes a serviceable appearance as Charlie. If you're a Jane Fonda fan you'll definately want to see this one. Most other cinemagoers will get their monies worth and plenty of laughs as Charlie and Viola fight it out on screen for the big prize, Dr Kevin Fields. Recommended The Cast

Jennifer Lopez Jane Fonda Michael Vartan Wanda Sykes Adam Scott Annie Parisse Monet Mazur Elaine Stritch Will Arnett Stephen Dunham Randee Heller Mark Moses Tomiko Fraser Rochelle Flexer Wayne Nickel Jenny Wade Bruce Gray Zach McLarty Stephanie Turner Harriet Harris Jimmy Jean-Louis Christopher Scott Pamela Rowan Monica R Guiza Amber Mead Christina Masterson

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Charlotte 'Charlie' Cantilini Viola Fields Dr Kevin Fields Ruby Remy Morgan Fiona Gertrude Kitt Dr Chamberlain Beverly Hills Dog Owner Guy in Coffee Shop Girl in Coffee Shop Nurse in Dr Patel's Office George Viola's Young Replacement TV Executive Assistant Director Pop Star Viola's Therapist Prince Amir Prime Minister Woman Club Member Rehearsal Dinner Guest Kitt's Date Young Girl at Wedding

The Crew Directed by Robert Luketic Written by Anya Kochoff Executive Producer Michael Flynn Produced by Chris Bender/J C Spink/Paula Weinstein Original Music by David Newman Non-Original Music by Joseph Haydn & Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Cinematography by Russell Carpenter Film Editing by Scott Hill & Kevin Tent Casting by Ronna Kress Production Design by Missy Stewart Art Direction by James F Truesdale Set Decoration by Susan Mina Eschelbach Costume Design by Kym Barrett Run Time 101 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - New Line Cinema - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved