Nine Months

directed by Chris Columbus

at the Sony Fresh Pond Cinemas

starring Hugh Grant

Despite his recent amorous debacle with prostitute Divine Brown in the back alleys of Sunset Boulevard, Calif., Hugh has nothing to fear as far as the success of his new movie NIne Months is concerned.

Although gossip columnists and news anchors alike predicted dire consequences at the box office for Grant after he was arrested in late June for "lewd conduct," Nine Months opened a few weeks ago amid raves from fans and resounding revenue success.

Nine Months for all its hype, is not one of the summer's blockbuster hits, and moviegoers who expect to be bowled over by superlative acting or striking messages will come away from the theatre disappointed.

What director Chris Columbus has produced, however, is a very funny, satisfying and entertaining flick in the tradition of his other popular films which include Mrs. Doubtfire and the Home Alone movies.

In Nine Months Hugh Grant plays a character named Samuel who is very satisfied with unmarried life. he is committed to his longtime girlfriend Rebecca, played by Julianne Moore, but is unwilling to plunge into marriage. Samuel is shocked when Rebecca tells him she is pregnant.

The two engage in a roller-coaster ride toward parenthood with unlikely friends Marty and Gail, already have three children and try to convince Samuel of the joys of parenting even as their kids run away, pretend they are Harlequin Romance heroines and generally torment everybody they come into contact with.

Robin Williams tops off the cast as an obstetrician who has recently immigrated from Russia.

Fundamentally, this film is slapstick. No matter what scene it is, you're to find someone being knocked over the head, falling down, smashing into cars or breaking something. If you like the Three Stooges, you will love Nine Months.

Grant turns in an extremely funny performance.

He handles every punch that an over-acting Tom Arnold delivers with a measure of charm and humor that can't help but make an audience laugh out loud.

Moore, too, fits her character well. known more for the serious, dramatic roles she has played in films like The Fugitive and Benny and Joon, Moore makes the transition to comedy with style and grace, as befits the calm woman she portrays in the movie.

She has a winning smile and more patience than any commitment-shy man could ask for.

Arnold and Cusack balance each other well, although Arnold tends to overdo man of his scenes. While they successfully show suburban parenting in all its zany glory, Cusack's more understated style is often overpowered by Arnold's persistent over action and insistence on finding as many ways as possible to bludgeon Grant's character is every scene they share.

Robin William's character truly makes the movie, though. As the Russian doctor who delivers Rebecca's baby, Williams is in his element. His accent is perfect, and the number of words he manages to confuse make his character hilarious.

Who wouldn't go crazy with a doctor who doesn't know the difference between obstruction and obstetrics, or the epidermis and an epidural?!

If you're looking for the answer to the meaning of life, or even the meaning of life, or even the meaning of giving life, don't bother with this one.

But if you just can't decide what movie would be perfect on a Friday night when all you're in the mood for is a big ice cream cone and a good laugh, check our Nine Months.