Alright, settle in, grab your preferred beverage – maybe something that reminds you of simpler times – because we're cueing up a tape that sits comfortably on the shelf between indie darling and mainstream rom-com: Edward Burns' 1996 follow-up to his breakout hit, She's the One. There's a specific texture to Burns' early films, isn't there? A kind of grounded, dialogue-heavy exploration of regular folks fumbling through love and life, particularly within the Irish-American enclaves of New York. After the micro-budget miracle of The Brothers McMullen (1995), which felt like eavesdropping on genuine family squabbles, She's the One arrived with slightly more polish, a bigger cast, and a killer soundtrack, but still retained that distinctive Burns flavour.
Brothers, Blarney, and Broken Hearts
At its core, She's the One continues Burns' fascination with sibling dynamics, specifically the push and pull between the Fitzpatrick brothers. Mickey (Edward Burns himself) is the taxi-driving, seemingly more grounded brother, while Francis (Mike McGlone, returning from McMullen) is the slicker, Wall Street guy trapped in a loveless marriage but carrying on an affair. Their interactions are fueled by a lifetime of rivalry, grudging affection, and the looming, opinionated presence of their father, Frank (John Mahoney, in a performance that anchors the entire film). It's this fraternal friction, the way they needle, support, and misunderstand each other, that feels so authentic to anyone who grew up with siblings. They talk at each other as much as to each other, their conversations peppered with the casual insults and shared history that only family can truly weaponize.
The plot kicks off with impulsive decisions: Mickey, reeling from being dumped, marries Hope (Maxine Bahns, Burns' then-girlfriend), a stranger he picked up in his cab, seemingly on a whim. Meanwhile, Francis juggles his unhappy marriage to the sharp, intelligent Renee (Jennifer Aniston) with his passionate affair with Heather (Cameron Diaz), who also happens to be Mickey's ex-fiancée. It’s a tangled web, almost Shakespearean in its setup, but played out not in Verona, but in the decidedly less glamorous settings of working-class Queens and affluent Manhattan apartments. What does it say about commitment when marriage seems less daunting than honesty? The film throws these questions around, letting the characters wrestle with them, often clumsily.
A Cast Finding Their Footing
The performances are a fascinating snapshot of actors at particular moments in their careers. Burns, directing himself again, embodies Mickey with a certain stoic charm, though some found his delivery a bit stiff even then. Yet, there's an earnestness there that fits the character's often-bewildered approach to life. Mike McGlone absolutely nails the simmering resentment and surface-level confidence of Francis, the brother desperate to escape his roots but fundamentally defined by them.
But it's often the supporting cast who truly shine. Jennifer Aniston, riding the massive wave of Friends fame, brings a wonderful blend of vulnerability and wit to Renee. You feel her frustration simmering beneath the surface, the dawning realization of her husband’s betrayal clashing with her own desires. It was a strong early indicator of her capabilities beyond sitcom timing. Cameron Diaz, fresh off The Mask (1994), embodies the alluring, potentially disruptive force of Heather, though the character feels slightly less developed than Renee. And then there's John Mahoney. As the patriarchal Frank, dispensing unsolicited advice, questionable wisdom ("Never trust broads who want to be pals"), and genuine love in his own gruff way, he’s simply magnificent. His scenes provide much of the film's humour and heart, grounding the romantic entanglements in generational perspective. Watching him hold court is a reminder of what a treasure we lost.
Indie Heart, Bigger Budget, Petty Soul
Compared to McMullen's grainy, $25,000 aesthetic, She's the One certainly looked more polished, benefitting from a $3 million budget – still modest by Hollywood standards, but enough for a smoother look and that incredible Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers soundtrack. Burns specifically wrote the film listening to Petty's Wildflowers album and reached out, hoping for maybe one song. In a move that cemented the film's cool factor, Petty offered to score the entire movie, resulting in the Songs and Music from "She's the One" album. Tracks like "Walls (Circus)" and "Hope You Never" aren't just background music; they are intrinsically woven into the film's emotional fabric, capturing the yearning and melancholy beneath the surface of the characters' lives. Hearing those opening chords instantly transports you back.
Retro Fun Facts:
- Quick Turnaround: Burns wrote the script quickly after McMullen's success and shot She's the One in a relatively short period, maintaining the indie energy.
- Recurring Faces: Besides McGlone, Burns often populated his early films with familiar faces, contributing to that repertory company feel. Maxine Bahns starred in his first three films.
- Location, Location, Location: The film uses its New York settings effectively, contrasting the blue-collar world of the Fitzpatrick family home with the sleekness of Francis's Manhattan life.
- Critical Reception: Reviews were mixed at the time, with some critics charmed by its honesty and humour, while others found the script uneven or Burns' performance lacking. It performed reasonably well at the box office, proving McMullen wasn't just a Sundance fluke.
Does It Still Hold Up?
Watching She's the One today feels like opening a time capsule. The dialogue can occasionally feel a bit too "written," the gender politics sometimes firmly planted in the mid-90s. Yet, there's an undeniable charm and sincerity to it. The exploration of masculinity, family loyalty, and the bewildering nature of love still resonates. It captures that specific feeling of being young, uncertain, and trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be beside. It doesn't offer easy answers, which feels true to life. It asks us, perhaps, if we ever truly know if someone is "the one," or if we just decide they are and try to make it work.
Rating: 7/10
Justification: She's the One earns a solid 7 for its genuine heart, strong supporting performances (especially Mahoney and Aniston), the perfectly integrated Tom Petty soundtrack that elevates the entire mood, and its authentic snapshot of mid-90s indie filmmaking sensibilities. While some aspects feel dated and Burns' central performance isn't flawless, the film's earnest exploration of flawed characters navigating love and family offers a relatable and nostalgic charm that still works.
It remains a warm, often funny, sometimes poignant look at the messy business of relationships – a pleasant echo from the shelves of VHS Heaven, humming with the unmistakable sound of Tom Petty and the quiet anxieties of figuring it all out.