‘Heartbreakers’ delivers

Jerry Hoffman

If you’re looking for some good laughs and a lot of smiles, then check
out the new film, “Heartbreakers.”
“Heartbreakers” is an enjoyable mixture of light and dark comedy.
At times, you may want to write this film off as predictable fluff, however,
it contains just enough bite to make it good.
Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt play a mother and daughter con artist
team, Max and Page, who travel the country duping men out of their money. At
the beginning of the film we are shown an example of the con they play when
Weaver marries sleazeball Ray Liotta, only to divorce him after 12 hours when
he is caught almost cheating with Hewitt. Liotta has no idea that the two beauties
are actually mother and daughter, and that the whole marriage was actually a
setup. Weaver files for divorce, gets a very nice settlement, and moves on to
the next con with her daughter.
There is a catch though; Hewitt is ready to quit the con game and settle down.
Weaver, afraid of losing her daughter, convinces her to stick around for one
last job. Traveling to Florida, the pair decide to set their sights on billionaire
chain-smoker William B. Teney (played with great fun by Gene Hackman). Weaver
sets the trap, and Hackman’s character takes the bait. However, Hewitt
meets and falls for local restaurant owner Jack (Jason Lee) and becomes torn
between fulfilling the con, or establishing a stable, normal life.
Although billed as a Sigourney Weaver and Jennifer Love Hewitt star vehicle,
“Heartbreakers” is a true ensemble comedy. Gene Hackman, Ray Liotta
and Jason Lee, a cult icon from “Mallrats,” all contribute a lot to
the film and turn in genuinely funny performances. Weaver turns in a great comedic
role as the mother half of the con team. Weaver has always been an underrated
actress, despite turning out dead-on performances in “Working Girl,”
“Dave” and “Galaxy Quest,” just to name a few. “Heartbreakers”
is not a great film, but Weaver does make it the solid film that it is. If this
film is any kind of success at the box office, all the credit should go towards
her.
As for Jennifer Love Hewitt, she actually does a decent job as Page. I do not
think Hewitt has turned in an above average role to date, but she proves with
“Heartbreakers” that she is on her way. After a few slasher films
and teen movies, Hewitt fits nicely into this adult comedy playing a sexually
secure vixen. Dressed in a number of tight and revealing outfits, Hewitt’s
“assets” are given their fair share of screen time. However, there
is still a performance going on.
Playing the cigarette addicted billionaire, Gene Hackman is an absolute riot
on-screen. Jason Lee is also great fun as the potential love interest for Page.
Sarcastic, yet charming, Lee creates a character who is the perfect match for
Page’s conning character. Along with Ray Liotta, the three actors make
help “Heartbreakers” a worthwhile cinematic affair.