Creative quotient

The age old three way romance finds a new sub-plot in The Accidental Husband . Uma Thurman plays a New York radio love doctor Emma Lloyd, who is engaged to and eagerly awaiting marriage with her publicist Richard (Colin Firth).

She is also planning to launch her book and as a promotional means is handing out advice on her show with full zeal. One of her callers happens to be the beau of firefighter Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Emma manages to convince her caller to call off their wedding.

A pissed off Patrick seeks revenge and he registers himself as Emma's husband by hacking into the State department system. Emma perfect life goes for a toss, as the prank snowballs out of hand. As it so happens their initial friction gives way to attraction and Patrick and Emma get romantically linked.

It is a premise done-to-death. 999 out of 1000 Hollywood romantic films make use of this premise and The Accidental Husband does itself no favours by incorporating the cliché.

Technical expertise

It is supposed to be a romantic comedy but it turns out to be a mildly mushy film, that puts forth a few smile worthy scenes. The highlight of the film has to be the 38-year-old Uma Thurman who still looks as attractive as she was 10 years ago.

But a romantic film is about the charm and charisma of all its characters and the two guys involved in the film are a disappointment. Colin Firth's character allows no room to showcase any acting credentials and Jeffery Dean Morgan's performance is best called uninspired.

With a lack of chemistry and absence of any witty dialogue this supposedly feel-good romance treks the path of mediocrity with great success.

The film's crew does no favours as well. A technical debacle of this proportion was last seen on M Night Shyamalan's Lady In The Water and a la that film The Accidental Husband features a few scenes where the usually well hidden sound boom reveals itself in all it's glory.

Ratings

Two stars for the stunningly beautiful Uma Thurman. Nothing else, not even Thurman's acting is worth a mention.

Plot

A New York City firefighter and a popular love doctor accidentally fall in love.

Verdict

Hollywood's romantic ho-hum.

Box-office

A second week run should be an achievement.

Producers

Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd, Jason Blum

Director

Griffin Dunne

Cast