Studio mogul
Joe Roth returns to his roots as a director with this romantic comedy co-written by
Billy Crystal and starring Roth's longtime friend
Julia Roberts. Crystal stars as Lee, a studio publicist desperately trying to keep several facts secret from reporters during a high-profile motion picture's press junket. Among the developments that Lee is trying to obscure from view: the film's eccentric director (
Christopher Walken) has essentially hijacked the $87 million movie and isn't allowing anyone to view it. Also, the film's high-profile, real-life married co-stars Gwen Harrison (
Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (
John Cusack) have acrimoniously split since filming (over Gwen's adulterous affair with Latin lover Hector (
Hank Azaria). Lee has led the press to believe that reconciliation is imminent, when in fact Gwen hates Eddie more than ever. Lee's secret weapon in his campaign of misinformation is Gwen's long-abused sister Kiki (
Julia Roberts), who works as the pampered star's personal assistant while secretly pining for Eddie, who might just notice Kiki now that she's lost 60 pounds. America's Sweethearts co-stars
Alan Arkin,
Seth Green, and
Stanley Tucci. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide