My 97th Commandment

From Prada to Nada.

The title alone. We've all heard of this movie at some point, yes? It stars Alex Vega and Camilla Belle (who my brother thinks is beautiful. I don't know why I felt like adding that). I know what I thought when I heard about it; dreadful, poisonous, Alex Vega of Spy Kids fame, Camilla Belle of Chumscrubber fame (to be fair, The Chumscrubber is actually a really good movie) and of Better Than Revenge fame (she's better known for the things that she does on the mattress, oh whoa).

But then I watched it yesterday night because I was desperate for something of the romantic and comedic persuasion. Plus, it's based on Sense & Sensibility (the book is boring but the Ang Lee version made me weep tears that only Jane Austen can elicit from me. That's a lie; I cry at everything).

So, I watched it. And, my friends, it is easily one of the better rom coms I have watched this year. Hell, it's barely a rom com. It's more a "family drama" (even though I hate family dramas). You know how I always harp on about wanting to be Jewish? After watching this movie, I want to be Mexican. It's like a Mexican version of Bend It Like Beckham but without creepy Joe. Not to mention the fantastic comedic efforts of Alex Vega who, despite playing a very cookie cut out character, was borderline hilarious. Not in a shitting myself with laughter sense but her little nuances were top class. Her physical comedy was good too.

Additionally, Wilmer Valderrama. He was supposed to be playing a hot, thuggish neighbour type. I struggled with this as I have grown up watching him as Fez, the horny exchange student from an unknown but surely exotic locale. Regardless, he played the role decently.

Camilla Belle lacked much of a personality but I thought she made a really hot nerd and a good foil to Alex Vega's comic goodness. And she had decent chemistry with the guy that played Edward Ferrars.

All in all, it was a very good movie. So good, in fact, that I watched it again tonight then had to go back to watching scenes between Camilla Belle and Edward Ferrars. Then I got lazy to pause so I'm watching it right now as I write this post.

I leave you with these words and my 97th Commandment:

Do not judgeth a book by its cover. 

J