By: debbie lynn elias
What were producers Dan Halsted, Dan Kolsrud and David Scheer thinking when they opted to spend $20 million on this latest summer romantic comedy, “Serving Sara” which hit theaters this week? For that matter, what was Matthew Perry thinking, or better yet, what was Elizabeth Hurley thinking, when each chose to star in this piece of drivel. Known best for his multi-million dollar role as the always chipper, although at times hapless, Chandler Bing, on the NBC mega-hit “Friends”, after seeing “Serving Sara”, it is crystal clear why Matthew Perry is part of an ensemble cast show. On the other hand, Elizabeth Hurley, who has repeatedly demonstrated excellent comedic skills and timing in numerous films and with numerous co-stars, is at the mercy of Perry and as a result, suffers the consequences of his poor work.
Perry stars as Joe Tyler, a slovenly, unshaven, unkempt, unpleasant process server hired to serve divorce papers on Hurley’s Sara Moore character, the soon-to-be ex-wife of a wealthy Texas cattle baron, Gordon Moore. Gordon, besides having a newer, younger version in line as the next Mrs. Moore and wanting to eliminate Sara as quickly and as cheaply as possible, is the epitome of a schmuck, going so far as to have the audacity to cancel Sara’s credit cards. Naturally, “our hero” Joe looks for the easy way out in life and the quickest way to make a buck by exerting the least amount of work (his goal in life is to be a winemaker), so it comes as no wonder when, after serving the beautiful and rich Sara, he sees the potential for big dollars when she offers to hire him to serve Gordon on her behalf. Sara it seems, has a greedy, but lazy, side to her that rivals that of Joe and she uses that (along with her beauty) to coerce him into helping her. Going for the big bucks (albeit in the form of an IOU), Tyler switches sides and agrees to help Sara serve Gordon, even going so far as to pose as a veterinarian giving a prostate exam to a bull. (Unfortunately, this is one of the film’s high points.)
Rivalry abounds between Joe and unscrupulous fellow process server Tony, admirably played by Vincent Pastore. Again, due solely to Perry’s lackluster and p***-poor performance (which, lets face it, may have been due to his reported substance abuse problem that landed him in rehab during filming), Pastore does such an impeccable job as the underhanded Tony, that you may actually find yourself rooting for him to succeed in his antics to effect service first. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer plays Joe’s sleazy, greedy boss, Ray, and is the only reason to even see this film. As always, Cedric plays his role to the hilt, going over the top and getting the few laughs “Serving Sara” has to offer.
Hurley and Perry, who supposedly put the “romance” in this romantic comedy, have absolutely zero chemistry together, leading one to wonder if they were even on set together or if everything is computer generated. Perry comes across as if it’s a chore to even be close to Hurley, let alone show any intimacy. Hurley meanwhile is obviously trying to compensate for Perry’s shortcomings and as a result comes across looking equally forced and strained in her believability.
Directed by Reginald Hudlin, probably best known for “House Party,” the film lacks any sense of direction by way of visual or verbal acuity. Even more surprising is the weak, and even chaotic, willy-nilly script from veteran “Spin City” writers and producers, Jay Scherick and David Ronn. Obviously neither one ever bothered to talk to any legitimate process servers before putting pen to paper. Take it from me, I know process servers with actual war stories who could beat this story line hands down and send the audience from the theater in absolute hysterics. Shot in and around Dallas, Texas, the locations are well chosen and along with Cedric, at least add something positive to the film.
The most intrigue and interest “Serving Sara” can or will generate revolves around Perry’s real life rehab stint, leaving one to wonder which scenes were shot before and after, and why in the world does NBC pay him millions of dollars for a weekly television series. They certainly wouldn’t do it if “Serving Sara” was submitted as his screen test.
