Synopsis
Paul Rudd is a college student carrying on a long-distance relationship with his blandlybeautiful and rather sickening girlfriend when he learns (he thinks) that she is cheating on him.With the help of Reese Witherspoon, a fellow student moonlighting as a stripper, he composes anexcoriating letter (plus accompanying materials) and sends this to her on overnight delivery. Nosooner has he done this than he finds out that the “other man” is, in fact, a Chihuahua. A cross-count…y race is on to stop the delivery of that letter. Witherspoon is part of the chase, and as youmight guess, she is going to be the real love interest in this romantic comedy.
Witherspoon gives her character an engaging mixture of spunk and intelligence,counterbalancing Rudd’s self-pitying klutziness. That being said, the set-up takes too long, andthe comic incidents lack both energy and originality. Not a terrible film, but hardlygroundbreaking.
Audio
Solid audio on this disc, in both 5.1 and 2.0. The music is expansive, and there are enoughsurround sound FX to create a decent environment. The left/right placement is nicely done too(one particularly nice moment has some hacking and coughing carrying on off-screen and in theextreme right speakers, creating the sense that the film extends far beyond the limits of thescreen).
Video
Widescreen and fullscreen versions here. The flesh tones, colours and contrasts are all good,with some interior scenes featuring particularly rich colours. There is no edge or grain. Thepicture isn’t always perfectly razor sharp, but for the most part holds up very well.
Special Features
Nothing much here: trailers for How to Deal, Sugar and Spice andPleasantville, and DVD-ROM links to more New Line promo stuff. Nothing forOvernight Delivery, though. The menu’s main page is scored, and the transitions areanimated.
Closing Thoughts
Middling romantic/road movie comedy. Been there, done that, seen worse, seen better.
Special Features List
- Trailers
- DVD-ROM Web Links
