Apr 25, 2008,
C. Robert Cargill
Once again, it's a weekend battle of head-to-head stars. In this corner, we have one of the hottest nerdy girls on the planet and one of the best comediennes working today: Tina Fey. And in this corner we have the strapping, handsome king of full-frontal nudity: Ewan McGregor. You know the rules. Let's drop the cage. Two men enter! One man leaves!
In the box office this weekend: Winner = Tina
One is a lowbrow comedy about what happens when an upper class wealthy type gets stuck with living with a low class moron. No, that never sells. Ever. The other is about an upper class wealthy nerd who gets a world of sex opened up to him only to discover that he's being had in a twisty-turny thriller. Kind of a tough call there, but I gotta go lowbrow. Despite bringing in the blue-collar crowd, Tina Fey has a habit of making things that shouldn't work, work. Lindsay Lohan teen comedy? Check. An SNL-style sitcom in the same season that West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin puts out a similar hour-long drama? Triumphed. Hell, even critics claimed a two-woman team couldn't man the "Weekend Update" desk and the Fey-Poehler duo made it work. Folks really want to give Fey a chance.
In the critical arena: Winner = Tina
I'm dying to know how both of these films pan out, but the critical set loves Fey. Just loves her. So if Baby Mama turns out bad it will be considered a disappointment and not up to Fey's caliber. On the other hand, Deception looks too much like last year's terrible Perfect Stranger, and the critical set is destined to be surprised if this is any good. No matter which is better, Fey's gonna get the most love and praise, even if she tanks.
In their careers: Winner = Ewan
Let's face it, this industry hates women. Oh, it loves you when you're young and cute, but once age begins to set in, you have to fight for every inch you gain. Twenty years from now, McGregor (who never seems to age) will still be playing handsome lead roles. Fey will no doubt be forced behind the camera to put her genius wit to work as a showrunner, writer or producer, but most likely won't be allowed to star. Who knows? Maybe we'll see a revolution over the next decade or two that will allow smart women over the age of 40 to rule the screen. But I look around at what everyone covers today and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
In a fight: Winner = Tina
McGregor might have light saber training, but Fey's got fight in her. She'd kick his pansy ass.
Winner = Tina
She's gonna take the weekend. And if this movie doesn't stink, she's gonna be what all the buzz is about.
Now You Decide...
