MovieMantz Review: 'Georgia Rule'

Lohan Breaks The 'Rules'

by Scott Mantz

[ Box Office Showdown: 12/17/07 - Watch the Video ]

Lohan plays Rachel, a rambunctious teenager from San Francisco whose mother, Lilly (Felicity Huffman), forces her to spend the summer in Idaho with her demanding grandmother, Georgia (Jane Fonda). Rachel causes problems from the moment she arrives, attempting to seduce both Simon (Dermot Mulroney), the small town veterinarian, and Harlan (Garrett Hedlund), a sweet-natured country boy. But when she soon gives in to Georgia's rules, she lets down her guard and reveals a deep, dark secret that will either bring her family back together…or break them apart for good.

Up to this point, "Georgia Rule" was best known as the film that caused its producer, James G. Robinson, to write a letter reprimanding 20-year-old Lohan for her unprofessional behavior during production (tardiness was not one of her finer qualities). When that letter was leaked to the Internet for all to see, it only added to her reputation as an out-of-control party girl.

[ Top 2006 Box Office Winners - View the Gallery ]

That includes the terrific Felicity Huffman, who has her own issues as Lohan's alcoholic mother, and screen legend Jane Fonda, the matriarch who's estranged from her family for reasons that are never fully explained. And all three have a bone to pick with Cary Elwes, Huffman's sly husband and Lohan's stepfather who may be the reason why she is so screwed up in the first place.

As it all builds to a fever pitch, you can't help but wish that everybody would just take a chill pill and hug it out. Until that happens, there's enough melodrama to test the patience of even the most hardened chick flick lover. But at the very least, "Georgia Rule" features terrific performances, and if that isn't enough of a reason to see it?well, there's always "Spider-Man 3."

[ More about Box Office ]