carl_sussman Review of Two Ninas

Two Ninas (1999)

A Very Entertaining (If Predictable) Film -- Mild Spoilers

[10/10 · 19 January 2001]

The plot of Two Ninas is a familiar one, revolving around Marty, a perennial failure with women who wishes he could be more like his player friend, Dave. Marty gets his chance when circumstances contrive to introduce him to two women, who both happen to be named Nina. Marty begins dating them both, and the film traces the progress of the two relationships. All of this is fairly conventional, but the film is very well written, and well executed. The dialogue is generally believable, and there are many genuine laughs. Of course, as is obligatory in such films, it takes Marty far longer than it does the audience -- or any reasonable person -- to realize which Nina is right for him, and, inevitably, his realization comes too late to avoid disaster. The movie falters, moreover, at the ending, which anybody who has ever seen a movie will see coming from a mile away. Nevertheless, getting there is considerably more than half the fun, and the trip is worth taking. All romantic comedy fans should enjoy it.