Simply Irresistible MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -1

The Southern Cross restaurant, owned by Amanda Shelton (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her aunt, struggles just to pay the expensive rent in downtown New York City. The problem is that Amanda is not a great cook and the restaurant is losing money as a result. All of that begins to change when she magically runs into Tom (Sean Patrick Flanery), an executive of an uptown department store. After a chance meeting at the market, he happens to stumble upon her restaurant. Amanda magically prepares a meal she previously didnt know how to make. The food is delicious and has some sort of power over Tom, making him constantly think of Amanda and want to be with her. No one really understands her new magical ability, and when Tom gets closer to her, he begins to realize that something weird is going on. Although this film starts with a creative idea, it goes nowhere. It seems disjointed and much of the magic in the film is never explained, therefore, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE will probably not perform well at the box office.

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE emphasizes that a persons character shapes who they are, specifically that people need to have strong character in order to make a real commitment to someone. This is a positive and prevalent theme in the film. The film also stresses that people should put all their energy into what they do, instead of doing things half-heartedly. On the other hand, the idea that people need to do what feels good, whether or not it is right is also clearly presented in the film. There are several sexual innuendoes in the film, along with an implied sex scene without nudity. Also, one female character seems to always be wearing very revealing, low cut, or tight clothes. Magic is also referred to and implied all through the film. The reason Amanda cooks so well is because of a mysterious meeting with an angel-like person. He makes her cooking magical without her knowing it, presumably to get her together with Tom. This magic is never portrayed as evil and is simply a fantasy element in the story. Overall, the film does a good job avoiding violence and excessive crudities, but it falls victim to sexual innuendoes, several obscenities and 6 regular profanities. These things, along with the weak story, make it easy to resist SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035