Monster-in-Law (2005)

16% of critics liked it
(163 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(411,414 ratings)

It's not unusual to see two women fighting over the same man in a movie, only this time it's his mother and his fiancée vying for his attention in this broad comedy. While Charlotte Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez), known to her friends as Charlie, has never had much luck in her love life, one day her… More It's not unusual to see two women fighting over the same man in a movie, only this time it's his mother and his fiancée vying for his attention in this broad comedy. While Charlotte Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez), known to her friends as Charlie, has never had much luck in her love life, one day her ship arrives in a big way when she meets Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan), a doctor who is charming, handsome, and wealthy. Kevin also has a famous mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda), who has enjoyed a long and successful career as a news broadcaster. When Kevin and Charlie fall head over heels for one another, he opts to propose marriage to her as he's introducing Charlie to Viola over lunch. However, as far as Viola is concerned, this could not come at a worse time -- Viola has just been fired from the anchor desk, and regards her son as the only anchor left in her life. Not willing to share Kevin with anyone, Viola sets out to sabotage his relationship with Charlie in any way she can, often with the wary assistance of her secretary Ruby (Wanda Sykes). But once Charlie gets wind of Viola's schemes, she decides two can play this game. Monster-in-Law marked Jane Fonda's return to the screen after a long leave of absence; it was her first film after co-starring with Robert De Niro in 1990's Stanley & Iris. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Robert Luketic
Written By: Richard LaGravenese, Anya Kochoff
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 13, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Aug 30, 2005
Studio: New Line Cinema

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
This really plays a like a really bad sitcom from forty years ago.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
In a movie about diva-to-diva warfare, each diva is miscast.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
Fonda and Sykes are made for each other, and their incessant bickering and arguing are about the only things that give Monster-in-Law any life.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Trust me, Monster-in-Law not only makes more sense as an Unforgiven-ish parable of old-school Hollywood feminism's wrath, it's worlds more fun.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
It's a crude, obvious comedy, which occasionally clunks, but it's often very funny, as well as being a really shrewd bit of popular entertainment.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Back to screenwriting school for somebody.
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Fonda is terrific playing the mess that is Viola. Her introduction tells you everything you need to know about her: after learning she has been fired she attacks a vacuous Britney Spears clone on air. It never reaches that kind of mean-spirited fun again.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
The catfight battle between Fonda and Lopez barely reaches a simmer before all is forgiven and the audience is dismissed from their seats.
Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media
Predictable romantic comedy...not much here for kids.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Jane Fonda, playing the title character, immerses herself in the aging dragon-lady stereotype.
Kam Williams, Princeton Town Topics
For a revenge comedy to work, the villain should be so despicable that you relish those moments when the victim turns the tables and gets even. This flick is misleading because the title character is not really mean, but rather a sympathetic figure.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
In the American tradition of diva moms from hell.
Shirley Sealy, Film Journal International
In this casting match-up, Lopez is totally outclassed.
Mary Lasse, Christianity Today
For such a rich premise, Kochoff produced a fairly lackluster script.
Joseph Proimakis, Movies for the Masses
full review in Greek
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
Thank God for that cast...

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Bad return of Jane Fonda to the cinema. Monster-in-Law have a terrible and tired script. A poor work of Richard LaGravenese. Rotten.
Bethany M

Some of the scenes were funny between Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. But, sadly just another average chick flick where you know the ending by the start of the film.
Dean !

An ok comedy with a good cast line up. It has quite a few funny scenes, one of the better family related comedies.
Jeremy S

Monster in Law looks like your average romantic comedy with a quirky twist and basically that is exactly what it is. No suprises here. Solid performances by Lopez and Fonda. The story holds together and delivers some so so laughs and some definite ones, Overall average.
Anthony L

This is fairly rubbish really, although Jane Fonda was good but this is a bit below her I think. The Elaine Stritch cameo is great also.
Coxxie M

i want to take a dump on Jennifer Lopezes face to remind her of her childhood and so she will stop making crap songs like dont be fooled by the rocks dat i got
Bobby H

This movie is pretty funny. It's a typical chick-flick and it's very predictable. You can pretty much guess from the beginning that eventually the happy couple will get married and the mother-in-laws war with her daughter-in-law will eventually meet some kind of compromise.… More
This movie is pretty funny. It's a typical chick-flick and it's very predictable. You can pretty much guess from the beginning that eventually the happy couple will get married and the mother-in-laws war with her daughter-in-law will eventually meet some kind of compromise. For that there is no spectacular exceptions in this film. The actors though all do a great job and this very well might be one of J-Lo's best performances. She's super cute in this one and it works for her! The movie is fun to watch and pretty comical at times. If your a chick you will most likely love it, if you are a guy it is okay and pleasing to watch because of J-Lo, and overall it's an average film. This is worth watching but it's nothing original.
Lady D

Mildly amusing with a predictable outcome, an easy watching film that was surprisingly enjoyable.
Cassie H

Hillariously FUNNY!!!!!!!!
Jens S

They knew they wouldn't get any originality prizes for this one. There have been movies about awful in-laws before, and some of them were even pretty damn funny. This movie starts out rather decent, as the couple get to know each other. Sadly, their rather charming sidekicks… More
They knew they wouldn't get any originality prizes for this one. There have been movies about awful in-laws before, and some of them were even pretty damn funny. This movie starts out rather decent, as the couple get to know each other. Sadly, their rather charming sidekicks disappear almost entirely after that, especially Will Arnett's comical talent isn't used to its full potential. And why is the female's best friend ALWAYS gay if he is male? A stereotype that is slowly starting to piss me off. Still, the actors are barely to blame for how boring, predictable and unfunny the movie continues. Lopez is actually really cute, Vartan a charming leading man and Jane Fonda plays the bitchy mother in law really well. The script leaves them out in the cold, though. No charm, no really good jokes, no surprises. I didn't expect much at all and was still disappointed.
Jennifer X

how i regret seeing this spectacle of a movie.
Rachel F

Very funny. Jane Fonda is really good in this movie.
Sophie B

this was so real! i really want to live where they lived once they were together it was great! and i want jlo's body!
Dean M

Jane Fonda finally returns to her movie after 15 years retirement and it was outrageous funny.
Leigh R

Did not live up to the hype of it all. Who cares if it has Jennifer in it. It still sucked.
Stuart B

Hate J-Lo, she cant act! When will people learn this!!!!
Lanning :

The dead tip-off on this winner should have been that even in the trailers they couldn't find anything funny to show.
Mike N

[i]I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.[/i] I guess. I am typing this entry with 10 little milky crescent moons on my fingers, growing ever fuller. I could probably whittle them down to manageable talons with the scraggy 30-grade callouses on my heels, avoiding the… More
[i]I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.[/i] I guess. I am typing this entry with 10 little milky crescent moons on my fingers, growing ever fuller. I could probably whittle them down to manageable talons with the scraggy 30-grade callouses on my heels, avoiding the blisters of course. One of these blisters is as multi-colored as a hobgoblin. It looks like it was dipped in honey and raspberry sauce. But, not so appetizing. All in the name of nomadic pursuits! I'm back. Hullo. And now, to steer things in this journal back to its typically engaging output... Topic of the day: Jennifer Lopez = adult Hilary Duff. Discuss.
Steven V

Monster-in-Law was a really nice movie. The lines in the script were clever and witty. The plot was hilarious. The pacing is quite fast for a romantic comedy, the psychological games they play are clever and fun. It brings out a great message that differences can eventually be solved… More
Monster-in-Law was a really nice movie. The lines in the script were clever and witty. The plot was hilarious. The pacing is quite fast for a romantic comedy, the psychological games they play are clever and fun. It brings out a great message that differences can eventually be solved through honest communication. This movie is great for a good time.
Deb S

Jennifer lopez has had nothing but bad luck in the dating department until the day she meets Michael Vartan, a successful doctor and her life changes. Jennifer and Michael get serious and soon it is time to meet Micheal's mother, Jane Fonda who will stop at nothing to prevent… More
Jennifer lopez has had nothing but bad luck in the dating department until the day she meets Michael Vartan, a successful doctor and her life changes. Jennifer and Michael get serious and soon it is time to meet Micheal's mother, Jane Fonda who will stop at nothing to prevent the wedding from occurring. Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda did a superb job of portraying the conflict between a wife and her mother-in law with exaggerated vicious little tricks the women play on each other. Wisecracking Wanda Sykes added to this movie with her own special brand of tongue'n cheek humour. Overall, good entertainment!