That, gang, is essentially what the new movie "Spoiler Alert" is. And, like everybody who originally saw "Love Story" back in the 70s, you know exactly what is going to happen in this movie. Okay, the title is "Spoiler Alert." It is based on a true story and book entitled "Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies" by Michael Ausiello. If you wonder just who is who, the movie opens with Jim Parsons as Michael who is narrating the story. Even the dumbest of movie goers can figure that out. The source material was not "Spoiler Alert: The Narrator Dies." Duh.
The preceding paragraph sounds like I'm denigrating the movie. Hardly. There is a lot to like here, even with its plot device set on multiple Christmases and setting up for sadness on such a joyous holiday. Even if you've seen it all before (see "Love Story"), the gay spin on it all makes it a bit original.
Jim Parsons plays TV columnist and writer Michael Ausiello and follows his 13 year relationship with Kit Gowan. We go from cute meet to sex to love to living together to break-up to medical diagnosis and, duh, the hero does die. The movie directed by Michael Showalter is entertaining in a shamelessly mawkish way. There are enough interesting choices to make the story seem less like Ryan and Ali. But, still, you knew where this was going even before you bought your tickets on AMC.com.
If there is one major problem with "Spoiler Alert" (and it's a big one), it's the fact that Jim Parsons has no range as an actor. As perfect as Parsons was for twelve years with Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory," you can see how limited his dramatic talents are when he takes on something different. Sadly, he might be the next Urkel. This is not the first movie I've seen him in where I came away with that sad declaration. In fact, I've thought the same thing every time I saw him in something not Big Bang.
The challenge here is formidable because he truly is the focus of the movie as the one who doesn't die. And, given that Parsons and his own husband are the executive producers of the movie, he is steering the ship whether he can or not.
Luckily, the movie is saved by the performances of Ben Aldridge as the one who dies and the always welcome Sally Field as the mother of the one who dies. Every moment they are on screen is compelling. The issue is that most of those scenes are also with Parsons.
There are much worse movies at the cinema than "Spoiler Alert" and it might be worth your time this holiday season. But be advised that it isn't perfect for all the reasons I cite above.
And that's my spoiler alert.
LEN'S RATING: Three stars.
Dinner last night: Hamburger patty and French fries.
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