Fool's Gold

Onscreen chemistry is the most valuable commodity that a romantic comedy can have. Without the sizzle between the leading man and his lady love, rom-coms stumble out of the gates and clumsily amble toward the finish line.

The filmmakers behind Fool's Gold understand this concept and have wisely employed blonde power couple Matthew McConaughey, a recent recipient of the oh-so-coveted "Sexiest Man Alive" title by People Magazine, and Kate Hudson, who was recently bestowed the same magazine's "Most Beautiful Person" honor. McConaughey and Hudson exhibited oodles of fireworks in 2003's big city yarn How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, so the financiers that bankrolled this pic revisited a well that has, at least financially, proven to provide.

Fool's Gold is set on the ocean, with McConaughey and Hudson looking their most modelesque, thanks to matching tousled blonde waves and sun-kissed skin. Even though they could pass for brother and sister, there is enough sexual friction to generate a four alarm fire. This is vintage McConaughey, playing fun-loving treasure hunter Finn. Hudson is his long-suffering wife, Tess. The duo has split, since Finn pays more attention to his oceanic adventures than to his better half's taut and toned body. As a result, she's had it and starts to seek out a life that makes her happy and, sadly, that doesn't include Finn.

Both actors became famous by playing and staying close to a comedic archetype, and Fool's Gold doesn't find them straying from this formula. McConaughey, with his lazy Southern drawl, moves about with laid back, slacker-esque ease. Hudson is as bubbly as a bath and flashes a blinding smile, even when she's irritated. While Finn and Tess have tried to move on with their lives, it's obvious something is still lurking beneath their emotional armor. But complex, fully developed character arcs aren't crucial in such light-hearted fare. McConaughey and Hudson don't need to cut so deep that they reach their characters' marrow; scratching the surface is sufficient. The pair bickers and banters in a believable, heated way that makes you wonder if off-camera interactions were just as rancorous, a testament to their authentic rapport. Then again, the actors are so magnetic and natural in their roles that it's highly possible both could enjoy chemistry with a brick wall.

The plot—Finn is searching for a sizeable booty that was lost at sea in the 1700s—isn't exactly thrilling, but here, plot details are secondary, if not tertiary. The girls who drag their dates to these kinds of films will relate to Tess' struggle to extricate herself from her husband's life and her frustration with his inability to put her first. The hapless dates of these women will find Finn a kindred spirit, a man's man who wants to do his own thing and doesn't feel he needs to tell his wife he loves her hundreds of times over. The bad guys in pursuit of the same riches as Finn aren't exactly compelling, either. The characters provide some comic relief, but it's more of a hoot to watch Finn and Tess go at it. The battle of the sexes takes center stage in Fool's Gold, fully exploiting a familiar story convention.

The backdrop is gorgeous throughout—the crystal blue ocean, the cloudless skies, and the ever-shining sun lighten the mood and atmosphere of the film. Despite the fact that Finn embarks on several deep-sea dives, it's the action at the surface that captures the most attention, though strictly adhering to a "fun in the sun" formula to draw laughs.

— Amy Sciarretto
06.18.08