Miami Rhapsody MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

MIAMI RHAPSODY is a modern day comedy about all the extra marital affairs of the Marcus family in sunny, tropical Miami. The oldest daughter in the family, Gwyn (Sarah Jessica Parker), is engaged to marry a likeable fellow named Matt (Gil Bellows). But she starts to have doubts about marriage as she learns that both of her parents, as well as her married sister and brother, are having affairs on the side. She's particularly disturbed that her mother (Mia Farrow) is having an affair with Antonio (Antonio Banderas), the young, handsome male nurse who is attending to Gwyn's invalid grandmother. Even more surprising, Gwyn eventually becomes romantically involved with Antonio herself. All this may sound a bit confusing, and how all these affairs are resolved is even more surprising. MIAMI RHAPSODY resembles some of Woody Allen's films with its cast of mixed-up urban couples.But it is a lighthearted, pleasant comedy which will probably appeal to contemporary young adults.

MIAMI RHAPSODY is supposed to have a positive message about marriage, but all of its explicit sexual content and misleading implications overwhelm anything positive it has to say. Gwyn's parents come to the conclusion that their marriage has actually been strengthened by their affairs. Gwyn's father even gives Antonio a monetary gift for having the affair with his wife.And Gwyn's brother's affair convinces him that he would be better off with his current wife. Gwyn lives with Matt while dating as if it were just a normal way of life. These couples are certainly confused in thinking that extra-marital affairs are good for marriages, and the confusion comes from not having a moral and spiritual foundation upon which to base their lives. However, they do conclude that marriage is desirable and one should try to maintain a marriage in spite of infidelity. The film contains some scenes of implied sex as well as one fairly graphic sex scene without nudity. All of this is accompanied by constant sexually oriented conversations and some obscenities. Mix it all together and you have a film which deserves a definite thumbs down.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution Co., 3900 Alemeda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521