1st watched 10/3/2021 - (Dir- John Duigan):
British drama packaged with an American music icon isn't horrible, but not completely memorable either. The story revolves around a playwright couple played by Lambert Wilson and Anna Galiena who's marriage has been falling apart because the woman is only a mom - the man is still writing plays and on the verge of being famous. Enters the new leading man played by Jon Bon Jovi in an obvious star piece of the man's new play. He is an obvious player who has departed America primarily because of this. To complicate things the male playwright is having an affair with the leading actress played by Thandie Newton, and is hoping their marriage will somehow be abolished. He than hires the Bon Jovi character to seduce his wife to (I think) have a cause for a separation. Things get worse as Bon Jovi can't keep his hands off anyone including the mistress. This complex story with a lot of emotions rising up brings about an even more complex ending. Bon Jovi carries himself ok as an actor, but doesn't pull off the deviousness that is obvious in the character. Unfortunately, he's too likeable as himself. The rest of the cast do a good job and the twist ending almost swayed me, but overall this movie is just there. I think if the intention wasn't as a vehicle for the singer it would have been better. Also, the direction was too straight-forward, especially for an amateur actor to pull this off. There are things I liked about it though, but not enough to recommend it.