Everybody's a critic - 'Alex and Emma'

Three stars (out of four)

Alex is a writer and a hypochondriac. Emma is a stenographer and peels her tomatoes. For 30 days in an apartment with chairs too short to hold back the Cuban Mafia, the two work to complete a novel that will save Alex from what scares him most.

"Alex and Emma" is a simple, charming story of stories about the resistance in the relationships of Alex and Emma and the novel's characters, Adam and Anna (the latter of which goes through a global identity crisis). The biggest attraction isn't between either pair but in the clever, parallel plots and lengths the movie takes to complete their stories. They argue between paragraphs, and the last page for both Alex and Adam is about overcoming their fear of commitment.

Alex and Emma are no Harry and Sally, but Rob Reiner still makes a clever, witty romantic comedy.

- Matthew Heisserer, college student

One and a half stars (out of four)

This summer's latest chick flick is the movie "Alex and Emma." It features Luke Wilson as Alex Sheldon, a writer who needs to get his novel finished in 30 days and collect his money from his publisher (Rob Reiner) so he can pay off his gambling debt to some thugs. He hires Emma Dinsmore (Kate Hudson), a court stenographer, to help him finish.

The novel takes us back to the Gatsby-like days of the 1920s. As Alex dictates his story to Emma, life begins to imitate art and mirrors the chemistry (or lack thereof) between the characters in the book.

We are never told anything about the characters or why they are attracted to each other. They just are. The movie fails to connect as a first-rate comedy or heartfelt love story. Go out and rent "When Harry Met Sally," and save yourself $7.

- Rick Prost, produce grocer

Two stars (out of four)

Put the director of "When Harry Met Sally" (Rob Reiner) together with an attractive actress (Kate Hudson) and you are probably in for a pretty entertaining movie. However, that would depend on your gender.

"Alex and Emma" is the story of a writer (Luke Wilson) who gets into some trouble with the Cuban mafia and has to come up with some money in 30 days or write his obituary. So that's how long Alex has to write a book and get it to his publisher. To speed up the process, he hires a stenographer (Hudson) to transcribe while he dictates. As the story moves on, the book starts taking on aspects of Alex's life. One thing leads to another, and -- you guessed it -- they fall in love.

From a woman's perspective (my wife's), it's a good movie. For men (sorry, Sears) you'll have to be in touch with your "softer side" to enjoy this movie.

- Steve Marchbanks, insurance sales