Mary Horowitz (played by Sandra Bullock), a crossword puzzle constructer for the local newspaper, is encouraged by all concerned to develop her social skills and get a life. On a blind date, she falls hard for Steve (Bradley Cooper), a hunky camera operator for a cable news channel who doesn’t reciprocate her feelings. Mary interprets a comment of Steve’s to mean she should follow him across the country as he gathers news. In this romantic comedy, both romance and comedy fail to materialize.
The ClearPlay Factor
There is plenty of sex and innuendo in the un-edited All About Steve, including physical intimacy on a first date. The ClearPlayed version removes between 40 and 50 instances of sexual references and profanity, in addition to some risqué scenes. ClearPlayed, the movie may appeal more to kids than adults because of the broad attempts at comedy.
1-Across: What’s a 7-letter word for ’fails to hit the target’?…
While All About Steve is filled with good intentions (a message of being true to oneself) and avoids familiar rom-com conventions, it’s undermined by odd casting and strange directorial decisions in handling the material. After repeated plot MISFIRES (answer to “1-Across” above), audience members tend to lose connection with story believability. It’s one thing to be quirky. It’s another to be ridiculous.
Marty Nabhan— ClearPlay Cryptic Crossword Fan
Rated PG-13 for sexual content including innuendos.; 98 min; Directed By Phil Traill
