Mr. Wrong – great entertainment
This PG-13 movie was released in 1996. It stars Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Pullman, with appearances by Dean Stockwell, Robert Goulet and Joan Cusack.
This pleasantly paced romantic comedy absolutely comes under the genre heading “black comedy.” It’s the story of a chance meeting that quickly turns into infatuation and then deep, unbridled love. The problem is, only one the two people involved in this tumultuous affair is in love – Bill Pullman.
Pullman meets the successful and unattached DeGeneres while she is suffering through a weak emotional time. Her younger sister has just gotten married, and at the wedding all the relatives goad DeGeneres about her single lifestyle. That in combination with Valentine’s Day send her into a downward spiral of loneliness.
Pullman seems like the textbook Mr. Right – sensitive, sexy, considerate, generous and successful. Even the relationship-skeptical DeGeneres immediately bonds with the mystery man, and quickly surrenders herself to him. The first night, and several successive dates, are perfect. It seems that DeGeneres has finally found her man.
It’s not until the drive back home from a visit to DeGeneres’ parent’s home, when Ellen reassuringly tells Pullman to ‘be himself,’ that the hijinks begin. Moments later the couple is robbing a convenience store – and goes downhill from there.
DeGeneres quickly tries to distance herself of the doting, possessive, gift-giving Pullman. But no matter what she tries, it backfires and makes things worse. To add to DeGeneres’ growing dilemma, Pullman’s crazy, weird and insanely jealous ex-girlfriend – Joan Cusack – arrives and threatens DeGeneres.
The wealthy Pullman usurps all of DeGeneres’ relationships with friends and family, and gets her fired from her job – all the while showering her with gifts and messages of love. DeGeneres hires PI Dean Stockwell to help her, but Stockwell quickly takes a shine to Pullman and starts working for him.
The movie finishes off with Pullman kidnapping DeGeneres and taking her off to Mexico in a new RV for a fast, blood test-free marriage. Pullman uses drugs to help DeGeneres accept her plight, which includes two kids Pullman picked up to expediently ‘complete’ the couple’s perfect family.
In the end, everything works out for everyone – but the road to that ending is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Mr. Wrong is some great entertainment filled with dark (and light) humor. Bring this DVD home for a laugh-filled evening – alone, or with the special person in your life. It’ll make you smile – - and appreciate each other!
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