Laws of Attraction

'Did you know that 80 per cent of women who say they are too busy to have a relationship are really lonely?' With these seductive words, handsome chauvinist lawyer Daniel Rafferty (Brosnan) wins over his colleague and foil, neurotic, flame topped Audrey Woods (Moore), at the climax of this lazily written movie. Representing opposing parties in the divorce of a New York fashion designer (Posey) and rock star (Sheen), Audrey and Daniel's own hitherto icy relationship thaws during an obscurely motivated trip to Ireland (part John Ford, part tourist board) that culminates in their drunken wedding. The couple's courtship is conducted with the sort of smirking barbarity that suggests Fassbinder's Martha played for laughs. Posey and Sheen have fun providing youthful counterpoint, but Sheen's persona is a sloppy and outdated caricature - unless this is itself a sly comment on the neo-rockism of bands like The Vines and The Libertines, in which case it's spot on.