SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

Ploydsge just watch it!

Tacticalin An absolute waste of money

Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

mark.waltz A half hour sitcom stretched out to over 90 minutes repeats many of its stories even though the characters and most of the cast are different. For six years, Fran Drescher made some people cringe but many laugh with her deliciously nasal accent as Fran Fine, the hairdresser who turned to selling beauty products and ended up becoming the nanny to the three children of a successful and dashing widowed Broadway producer. Charles Shaugnessy was always charming and commanding as the somewhat stuffy Maxwell Sheffield, but in his place here, we have Timothy Dalton as the widowed dictator like president of a tiny Russian like country who has four children who are in desperate need of help since their father tends to neglect them. There is a Niles like assistant who becomes Fran's confidante, a male version of the C.C. Babcock character, and a variety of Jewish character actors playing Fran's family and neighbors.There's also the gay sensibility, a show queen like atmosphere that has Fran bringing up "West Side Story" to her four charges, posing like Eva Peron out on the president's palace balcony (to major cheers) and obvious connections to "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music". In her beauty school class, a stereotypical gay man makes flip comments and a pass at the black fireman who rescues Fran when his mistake in class causes her school to burn down. For some reason, there are lab rats, raccoons and snakes, a visual gag that makes no sense. Veteran actors Michael Lerner and Phyllis Newman play Fran's parents, with Newman obviously playing a variation of Sylvia Fine, even more clinging to her daughter with the presence of her umbilical cord in Newman's purse! Certainly, there are some amusing moments, but I'm sure reviews of this pointing out the gay sensibilities turned some viewers off, especially some gay men who found the stereotypes too over the top. A massage scene with Drescher and Dalton is very similar to a gag on "The Nanny" when Fran, posing as a nurse, had to "shave" Mr. Sheffield. Here, Dalton confuses her with the male masseuse and demands a buttocks massage that shows Fran both horrified and turned on. This shows little trust by the writers in giving Fran a different identity and set-up, with the oldest daughter in the film far too close to "The Nanny's" Maggie, and an insecure younger daughter dealing with weight issues just like Gracie dealt with other psychological issues on "The Nanny". Dalton's character lacks the subtle charms of Shaugnessy, coming off brutal in scenes that are straight out of Mrs. Anna's declaration to Yul Brynnur's king that he was indeed a barbarian. The only thing this is missing is an abbey full of nuns who help Drescher and Dalton escape from obvious traitors who want to oust Dalton and take over the country.

Python Hyena The Beautician and the Beast (1997): Dir: Ken Kwapis / Cast: Fran Drescher, Timothy Dalton, Ian McNiece, Lisa Jakob, Patrick Malahide: Formula satire settling for someone who brings beauty to another. It opens with an animated dream sequence with a young Princess under a spell until a Prince kisses her awake. All is well until the first words emerge from her mouth. It is that whiny voice that startles the Prince and then startles the film's heroine awake to reality. Fran Drescher stars as a beautician mistaken for a science teacher and she is spirited to London. Timothy Dalton plays an authority figure using strict measures to gain respect. His daughter is one of her pupils but he cannot communicate with her because he ordered the arrest of her patriotic boyfriend. Recycled material by director Ken Kwapis who is given a few, but very few funny moments. Drescher is reciting her sitcom role right down to her wardrobe in a role that has been played by countless actresses with regular voices. She looks fetching in her various flashy clothes but had the screenplay had as much attention then perhaps it might not have sucked. Dalton is as stiff as a board playing another role that never seems to be interesting. Also wasting time are Ian McNiece as Drescher's adviser who obviously didn't advise her against this film. Lisa Jakob as Dalton's daughter is another case of cardboard cut-outs. The title is the most creative aspect. Score: 3 / 10

beckyd7 I am Timothy Dalton's self declared #1 fan - and I adore Fran Drescher. When this movie came out I looked SO forward to seeing it as it was a film that was going to allow TImothy to show everyone else how funny he can be and what a multi-dimensional actor he is. I am also a big fan of Fran Drescher! I miss seeing her more often also. She is so beautiful and such a talent - and so very good at being funny. Neither of them disappoint in this movie. They are wonderful!Life is so full of stress, sadness, loss, tragedy now, more light hearted, comedic movies like this are needed sandwiched in to take us away and be entertained in fantasyland for a while. I love action movies and horror movies (the unrealistic ones) but we need more of this type movie thrown in the mix MORE OFTEN.This is a magical, romantic-comedy, fantasy escape - ****someone made mention the country doesn't even really exist - WHO cares the country doesn't really exist??? Neither does Oz, Narnia or MiddleEarth.****THEN SOMEone was pretty critical of Timothy's accent being very bad; Timothy does nothing bad, including accents. BUT, IF THIS COUNTRY DOESN'T EXIST, HOW CAN YOU KNOW THE ACCENT IS BAD??? I thought it was wonderful. Have you ever tried to make up an accent of a nonexistent country? :o)How long can Joy Miller carry off her charade, and does she keep getting out of ALL the messes she gets herself involved in or does she get caught? Some of TD'S and FD's humorous scenes ARE reminiscent of I Love Lucy, but much better and priceless. You keep wondering when is this cranky guy going to catch on to the truths surrounding him, and what in the world will he do when he does!? There are a few close calls, so to speak (that are hilarious)There is a very lovable chicken in the movie, a surprisingly fine little actor herself, very cute ~ with some adorable scenes. Trust me. Its touching, worrisome at times...and cute, I swear she gets the most precious "expressions".-With all due respect and targeting no one in particular, it seems in our world today many people have become so jaded they can't enjoy a great, light hearted hilarious romantic comedy that is CLEAN, without calling it "cheesy" or "corny". IT IS NEITHER. I choose not to believe in those concepts. People have just gotten so much more afraid to show emotion and care for each other and we need more of that and perhaps more movies like this would unconsciously encourage it.Timothy is at his usual flawless best, playing both "sides" of: the ill tempered dictator, whose ego seems large enough to have its own zip code you can't get to from here; and who thinks things are just hunky dory with "his people", but are they?; to his other self -the gorgeously handsome man,with that deep sexy voice, which is more apparent when he isn't yelling or fussing about something.(And I HAVE to say he is handsome both with mustache and sans mustache). I think the movie is written very well, and when he first starts to become- challenged by Joy Miller's lessons for HIM, and goes out amongst "his people" - well, just wait and see-its truly a priceless, clueless "moment" for him, (We get to watch him as Tim pulls the cluelessness of this guy off SO well, chest puffed up, strutting, smiling and waving as if he does it every day...) And quite a shock for "the people".Fran is terrific and gorgeous too, and I think the pairing of those two was sheer genius and they make a beautiful couple in heart, spirit, and yes,look. I know I was jealous of lucky Fran AND the "mythical couple" and it took me away to that place all women who love romantic stories love to go - where YOU are the female lead character!This is a GREAT MOVIE AND ITS NOT JUST A "CHICK FLICK" EITHER, GUYS - if you like comedy I recommend it to you also and there IS Fran. Kids will like this movie too and I feel it IS of family movie quality.

lboden I don't care if Timothy Dalton has a shitty accent in this movie. I don't care if Fran Drescher has a nasal voice. So what that Slovetzia doesn't exist, and the bad people are dark, gloomy western stereotypes of former eastern regimes. I don't care, as long as I enjoy watching it. I totally adore this movie. It leaves me with a giggle and a big smile on my face, and movies that do that make just as much sense to me as Schindler's List, if I'm in the mood to watch that kind of movie. I love a movie, where I can put my brain on stand by and just enjoy it. I've just received the movie today, and I know, that tonight will be chips and dip night in front of the TV. Just can't wait to watch it again. A big 10 from me for the entertainment value.