Unconditional Love DVD: Review By stevegibbs

Chicago homemaker Grace Beasley's (Kathy Bates) life is falling apart. Her husband, played by Dan Aykroyd, informs her that he plans to leave because she is just too dull. Unable to make him change his mind, Grace consoles herself with the music of singing sensation Victor Fox (Jonathan Pryce). But even her fantasy life is destroyed when Fox is murdered on a visit to her city by a crossbow-wielding serial killer.

Devastated, Grace decides she needs to escape from her rut; do something totally unexpected and out of character. She plans to go to Fox's funeral in London. Once in England, she befriends Fox's longtime companion, Dirk (Rupert Everett). The two unlikely friends head back to Chicago to mete out some vigilante justice to Fox's killer, and end up in an adventure neither of them had expected. When all is said and done, Grace's oddysey leads her home, to the realization of who she really is.

Deleted Scene

While mildly interesting, this deleted scene doesn't really add anything to the story.

Theatrical Trailer

This was what really encouraged me to actually watch the movie. It is intriguing enough to pique your curiosity.

You get your choice of both fullscreen and 1.85:1 widescreen formats on the disk. In both cases, the transfer is what I would expect from a company like New Line - clean and bright. The contrast is exceptional, ranging from the dark shadows and mist of grungy Chicago to the clear greens of the rolling English countryside.

Presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital and Stereo Surround. The soundtrack is well mixed, although the subject matter doesn't really lend itself to the full surround feature, except during the musical sequences. As a smaller movie, without a great deal of action, it plays just as well in stereo mode.

Don't be fooled by the title, cute pink cover and the little hearts all over the DVD menu; this isn't just some cheesy romantic comedy. It is produced by Jerry Zucker, part of the team that gave us the whacked out comedies Airplane! and Top Secret. Unconditional Love, written and directed by P.J. Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding and the upcoming Peter Pan remake),defies a simple category. Part family drama; part lighthearted comedy; part thriller; it careens across the spectrum, touching on gay relationships, grief, and even musical fantasy.

It is an oddly pleasing surprise, filled with unexpected moments. Just when you think you have it pinned down, it throws you another curve ball, swerving off in a new direction. Some of the highlights include Jonathan Pryce (Brazil), an actor who revels in unusual roles, getting to showcase the considerable singing talents that earned him rave reviews in Broadway's Miss Saigon. Somehow the filmmakers also managed to talk Barry Manilow into a brief cameo in a movie that lampoons middle-aged singing heartthrobs. And out of the blue, they slip in an all-time classic scene with none other than Julie Andrews. In my opinion, her response to a tabloid reporter's impertinant question is worth the price of this DVD alone!

Unconditional Love isn't the best movie you'll see this year. It does have its flaws: a sometimes uneven script and a strange, slightly uncomfortable confrontation with the killer. But any movie that can throw in blatant references to the creepy dwarf from Don't Look Now can't be all bad.