Imagine one of the world’s greatest chefs re-entering the kitchen after fifteen years and instead of creating a seven-course gourmet meal, whipping up a hot fudge Sundae.  Tasty, to be sure, but worthy of the chef’s talents?

Welcome back Jane Fonda, arguably one of our most talented actors, to the movie version of our chef’s decadent dessert, Monster–in–Law.

Jane is everywhere now that she’s come out of retirement. She’s hawking her life story on Larry King, hitting the bookstores with autograph pen firmly in hand and finally, returning to the big screen.

It’s been a long hiatus to even think of coming back above the title in a major release instead of a cameo on Law & Order, where most “older” actors of both sexes are relegated.  But come back she does playing Viola, a flamboyant, celebrity interviewer who loses her job at about the same time her son announces his engagement. Is there nothing left she can control?

Kevin, her son [Michael Vartan] can think of no reason why his mother shouldn’t adore his new love, Charlie [Jennifer Lopez], as much as he does. Silly, boy. How could he be a doctor and be so clueless? Yeah, right.

There’s no mystery how Viola feels about “the other woman” in her son’s life. The Teflon veneer, that’s served her so well professionally, coats Viola’s every action to sabotage the lovebirds. The only question is, “When will Charlie catch on to her future mother-in-law’s evil ways?”

Vartan plays the loving son, loving fiancé without getting in the way of diva of yore, Fonda, and diva of today, Lopez. And Jennifer more than holds her own, but even though Fonda loses the marital war, she succeeds in winning audience hearts.

Monster-in-Law is a fight between two women and every boxing match needs a referee. Wanda Sykes, as Ruby, Viola’s assistant, steals the scene every time she delivers a line. 

Kudos to Jane Fonda for stepping in front of the camera and looking and acting her age. Jennifer Lopez is pretty to look at and, now that she’s thirty-seven and established her box office draw, it would be nice to see her challenge herself with meatier roles. [Fonda was in her thirties and early forties when she tackled Klute, Coming Home, and Julia.]