April 5–12, 2001

movie shorts

Just Visiting

I’ll say this for Just Visiting: It wasn’t any worse than I thought it was going to be. But considering that I’d steeled myself for nothing less than total catastrophe, that’s not saying much. As horrible as Hollywood filmmaking can be, it becomes positively toxic when combined with the mainstream stylings of other countries. (At least, that’s the only reason that comes to mind for why Just Visiting is the worst movie I’ve seen since the atrocious Woman on Top.) A remake of the French comedy which broke box-office records (and if that’s not a red flag…), Just Visiting features Jean Reno and Christian Clavier, who co-authored the original script. They reprise their roles as a medieval knight and his servant, respectively, thrust into the modern world, while such bland no-talents as Tara Reid, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras and Christina Applegate step into the void for the first time. (The latter at least makes a game stab at geniality.) If you haven’t walked out of the movie in less than the time it takes to finish this review, you need to have your funny bone examined (unless, of course, you’re being paid to stay).

—Sam Adams