The Samantha James character takes the story right up to the PG-13 line and in a few cases over it (I don’t see how a responsible parent could find this material appropriate for a 13-year-old, let alone anyone younger), but I can’t help appreciating the point the film makes wither her. Samantha’s more than an airhead: she’s a self-involved, appalling tramp who would have been only too happy to sell her soul for tabloid attention…if she’d ever had one.
Director Roger Kumble described her to me as a “Jessica-Paris-Lohan” hybrid--that is, a no-talent wannabe bombshell who makes a name for herself by appearing in public looking (and frequently behaving) like a high-end hooker. Even as over-the-top (not to mention gut-busting hilarious) as Faris’ performance is, her antics are only slightly more outrageous than those of the wastes of lip gloss she modeled herself on.
Realistic or not, one can’t help feeling all is right with the world when Chris prefers the sweet, humble hometown girl over this glitzy pop-tart.
However, while Faris’ turn as a rabid party-girl lends the film a satirical edge, Reynolds is the workhorse making the romantic comedy engine run. He moves from slapstick to dry-as-vermouth deadpan and back again without showing any seams. After playing a series of unrelatable characters unenthusiastically, Reynolds skewers the smarmy, super-cool “Van Wilder” image he was in danger of becoming typecast as with abandon.
And when Reynolds falls off the cool wagon, he falls far: Effeminate sweaters, lip-synching to All-4-One’s “I Swear,” awkwardly trying to flaunt his professional success, he does each so convincingly, it’s hard to believe he was ever the hero to frat boys everywhere.
That’s not to say the film is perfect. A few pratfall sequences (such as the destruction of a neighbor’s Christmas lights display) seem out of place, and it would have been nice had Smart’s character shown more signs of life. But enjoying a few laughs at the expense of those who are more and less fortunate than the rest of us faceless masses who don’t grace the cover the of US Weekly (oh, and, y’know, the message that kindness wins out over coolness) should warm the hearts of weary holiday revelers everywhere.