One for the Money

It looks as though Katherine Heigl wants to start a new movie franchise. She is an executive producer for this mediocre film version of Janet Evanovich's first Stephanie Plum mystery. If you've read those books you know there is always a number in the title. It felt to me that the screen- writers and director were trying too hard for "kooky" (much like the books), but eventually our unemployed heroine overcomes her inept fumblings and awkward beginnings as a skip tracer for a bail bondsman, and acquires a bit of professionalism and credibility.

In the two books I've read in this series, Stephanie seems to have two men in her life. I'm hoping the ones we saw here will show up again (if there is a next time), because they are appealing.

Here's who we see:

• Katherine Heigl ("Life as We Know It") is Stephanie Plum, unem- ployed, car repossessed, threatened with eviction, desperate for a job...ANY job. She couldn't have a worse beginning, wandering into dangerous situations, woefully untrained and inexperienced.
  
• Jason O'Mara (Lots of TV) is Joe, the cop who failed to appear for his hearing. He is accused of murder, AND he and Stephanie have a "history." She can't wait to bring him in and collect the bounty!
  
• Daniel Sunjata (Lots of TV) is Ranger, who epitomizes the all- purpose professional, a crack shot, always prepared, AND atten- tive to our heroine.
  
• Patrick Fischler ("Red State") is Cousin Vinnie, the wormy bail- bondsman who reluctantly gives our gal a job...family, you know.
  
• John Leguizamo ("The Lincoln Lawyer") is Jimmy Alpha, a motor- mouth who runs a gym and knows everybody.
  
• Sherri Shepherd (Lots of TV) is Lula, a working girl who sees a lot of action from her spot on the street.
  
• Debbie Reynolds (Lots of TV) is Grandma Mazur, living with her daughter and son-in-law but willing to give our heroine a LOT of advice AND her old Buick.

This is a well-intentioned Chick Flick and I wish them well, it just isn't very involving. I will admit that Heigl and O'Mara did grow on me, so by the closing scene, I was grinning along with the rest of the audience. (Shhh... Don't tell, okay?)

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This link takes you to a preview:
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3887505177/
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