Let’s face it. “Fool’s Gold” is never going to win an Oscar or be critically acclaimed in any way. But while it’s not exactly a stellar film, it won’t make anyone’s “worst” list either.
“Fool’s Gold,” from director Andy Tennant (“Ever After,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Hitch”), pairs “How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days'” Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey together again. This time around, they’re an estranged couple on the verge of divorce when important clues to a lost-at-sea treasure bring them together again.
Tess (Hudson) works for an elderly billionaire (Donald Sutherland, “The Italian Job,” “Reign Over Me”) and his celebutante daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena), who are more than eager to provide the boat, equipment and money necessary to find the treasure. But while the motley crew searches for the gold, rap star Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart, “Scary Movie 3 and 4”) and his cronies are after the same treasure that Finn (McConaughey) already promised to them.
How great can a movie be when there is a silly teenage girl and a character named Bigg Bunny? The answer is not very good at all, but “Fool’s Gold” is still watchable. While the trailer for the film focuses primarily on Hudson and McConaughey, the movie is much more of an ensemble piece, focusing more on the hunt for treasure than on the individual characters. Think of it as “National Treasure” meets any chick flick.
The chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey is undeniable as the two play off each other quite well. Although Hudson’s character is referred to as “smart” a number of times in the film, you have to wonder why she stays with McConaughey’s idiot savant character. She claims it’s for the sex, a joke that wears itself out the second or third time you hear it.
The father-daughter relationship between the billionaire and his daughter is an important theme in the film, given almost as much time as the romantic relationship between the film’s leads. Sutherland doesn’t have to do much acting. All he has to do is be old and nice – and he accomplishes both beautifully. However, Dziena (who looks so much like Hannah Montana that it’s almost distracting) will make your eyes roll with every stupid word that comes out of her mouth. Her character is consistently told that she should quit acting like a bimbo, but it’s ultimately to no avail.
The part of the plot regarding searching for treasure is ludicrous and not nearly as well crafted as the adventure movies it imitates. Much of the plot progression happens thanks to lucky circumstances or coincidences. The villains are never truly scary, so there is never a serious threat of them stealing the treasure or even harming any of the good guys. For goodness’ sake, one of rapper’s cronies is played by Malcolm-Jamal Warner (“The Cosby Show”). If Theo Huxtable is supposed to be an intimidating thug, then everybody’s pretty safe.
Overall, “Fool’s Gold” lies somewhere in the middle of the wide range of romantic comedies. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst, either. In any case, the stars are attractive and the scenery is beautiful, even if the plot leaves something to be desired. In other words, it’s a romantic comedy that never quite manages to strike gold.
