STUDIO: Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: June 17, 2008
STARRING: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Alexis Dziena, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winstone, Ewen Bremner, and Kevin Hart
WRITTEN BY: Andy Tennant, John Claflin, and Daniel Zelman
DIRECTED BY: Andy Tennant
FEATURES: Fool's Gold: Flirting With Adventure - The Chemistry Between Two Charming Contemporary Stars
Gag Reel

There's a fine line between romantic comedies that are light on their feet and ones that aren't even really trying at all. The first is a lot harder than it looks and the second is the worst kind of laziness. Fool's Gold is undeniably the latter. Even the people who made it would have to admit that Fool's Gold relies heavily on the charms of its two supposedly chemistry-filled leads. In other words, it's how much you adore Kate Hudson or Matthew McConaughey that's going to determine how much you can tolerate Fool's Gold, but even people who wore out their copy of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days are likely to be let down. The writers and director of the romantic/action movie are counting on girls swooning over a shirtless McConaughey (he's without a top more than with one in this flick, almost parodying his naked bongo-playing image) and guys being satisfied with the occasional action scene and bikini-clad beauties Alexis Dziena and, of course, Kate Hudson. The loose connective tissue between sun-clad shots of its stars is some of the most unbearable drivel in the romantic comedy market so far this year and that's saying something considering we've had to suffer through Over Her Dead Body. Over mine is the only way I'd sit through Fool's Gold again, an experience I found surprisingly insufferable.

McConaughey stars as Finn, a treasure hunter who's never been that good at his chosen profession. Director Andy Tennant and his writers are clearly going for a Romancing the Stone vibe, as Finn continues his life's dream of finding a legendary, 300-year-old sunken treasure. His obsession has pushed him to be mid-divorce with wife Tess (Hudson), who now works for an eccentric millionaire (Donald Sutherland) on his yacht. After burning down his own boat, Finn essentially commandeers the seafaring vehicle of Tess' new boss and the gang, joined by a spoiled celebutante daughter (Dziena) head out for one more search for treasure glory. Along the way, they have to deal with a rival treasure hunter (Ray Winstone) and a crime leader (Kevin Hart), both of whom seem to be in a competition for the least effective villain of the year.

Sandy beaches, bikini-clad women, treasure-hunting adventure, Fool's Gold should work but it just never gets off the ground. With leaden pacing and action that feels about as exciting as syndicated television, it feels twice as long as its running time. Only Hudson makes it out unscathed, proving that she has enough inherent screen charisma to come out of nearly anything looking good. On the other hand, McConaughey has never fallen back on his well-noted tics more. Fool's Gold is a rental at best and for only the most hardcore fans of the stars or the genre. Even they'll be disappointed in the treatment given the movie by Warner Brothers. The video and audio on the standard edition are typically good but the lack of special features is truly disappointing. With no commentaries and one lonely featurette, even the special features feel lazy. Considering the movie they accompany, it seems appropriate.