Rumor Has It (2005)

Theatrical Poster
Source: Wikipedia

This film is not in the Empire 5-star 500.

Rumor Has It tells the story behind The Graduate. Told through the eyes of Sarah Huntinger (Jennifer Aniston), it tells of the moment that she realises she may be the daughter of the illegitimate affair between Elaine Robinson and Benjamin Braddock.

Sarah Huntinger thinks that she might not be her father's daughter. Sparked on by a rumour from her grandmother (Shirley McClaine) at her sister's (Mena Suvari) wedding, she sets off in pursuit of the man who she believes is her real father.

She leaves behind her fiancée - Jeff Daly (Mark Ruffalo) - as her quest takes her to the charming Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner) who tells her he can't be her father because of a blunt testicular trauma suffered long before her birth.

She is taken by his charms and sleeps with him, causing her to further think about her relationship with Jeff. Jeff catches her kissing Beau and gives her an ultimatum; be serious about the engagement or lose him forever.

Rumor Has It is a bog standard romantic comedy. Jennifer Aniston reprises her usual role as the lead actress playing a character that is going through a crisis and this gives her another excuse to become melodramatic in front of a camera.

Despite having an all-star cast, Rumor Has It fails to bring inspiration from any of the actors. Costner plays the standard charmers role, while Ruffalo is hardly used. The only reprieve comes in the form of Shirley McClaine whose sharp wit helps to drive her character forward. Unfortunately, she is swimming in a sea filled with drowning ships.

While the film clings onto the memory of the critically acclaimed The Graduate, it fails to do this any justice.

Draws a few sniggers, but isn't overly good.