Fools Rush In (1997) [PG-13] ***

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, as the saying goes. Alex Whitman (Matthew Perry) is a construction project manager, based in New York City but managing construction of a new nightclub in Las Vegas. One evening as he's sampling Mexican cuisine for the nightclub restaurant menu, he meets the beautiful and exotic Isabel Fuentes (Salma Hayek), a nature photographer who grew up in Old Mexico. After a passionate night of love Isabel disappears; three months later she shows up at Alex's home and tells him she's pregnant, and the baby is his.

At first Alex is speechless, but after he and Isabel spend an evening with her warm extended family, he realizes she's the best thing that's ever happened to him, and he proposes marriage. Isabel's father is furious, and Alex is simply afraid to tell his parents in Connecticut. As they get to know each other, Alex and Isabel recognize that they have little in common besides their passionate attraction to one another; but they are determined to make their marriage work. Then, based on a tip from an old girlfriend who still has designs on Alex, his parents show up unannounced. At first they mistake Isabel for Alex's housekeeper, and that's when the real fun begins.

The smart, inventive screenplay is full of cultural clashes and memorable dialogue. Salma Hayek is warm and sensual, Matthew Perry is engaging and funny and the two have incredible romantic chemistry together. The soundtrack is delightful and the supporting cast is outstanding, especially Jon Tenney as Alex's co-worker Jeff, Siobhan Fallon as Isabel's girlfriend Lanie, Carlos Gomez as Isabel's old boyfriend Chuy, Suzanne Snyder as Alex's old girlfriend Cathy, and Jill Clayburgh and John Bennett Perry, Matthew Perry's real-life father, as Alex's parents. You can be sure that true love will triumph in this great date movie! Ignore the film critics' negative reviews. If you enjoyed The Object of My Affection (1998), I predict you will love Fools Rush In.

Labels: comedy, cross-cultural, drama, rom-drama-faves, romance, wedding
Internet Movie Database 61/100
MetaScore (critics=38, viewers=63)
RottenTomatoes Averages (critics=47, viewers=74)