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Genre: Adventure/Romance
Director: Andrew Tennant
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Release Date: February 8, 2008
My Grade: A

If you like "Romancing the Stone" and "Jewel of the Nile" (with a dash of "Sahara"), you will like "Fool's Gold". Instead of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, we have Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson.

The plot involves a down-on-his-luck treasure hunter named Ben "Finn" Finnegan (McConaughey), who lives in Key West, Florida. Finnegan is about to lose two things he adores: his boat Booty Calls, and his wife Tess (Hudson) who wants a divorce because she does not think Finn is serious about life.

However, Finn's luck seems to be turning around when he finds an important clue to the whereabouts of a fabled treasure. The treasure is the 18th century Queen's Dowry, forty chests of treasure lost at sea in 1715. Finn has sought the Dowry all of his life.

Meanwhile, Tess is trying to rebuild her life. She is working as a steward aboard a gigantic yacht owned by billionaire Nigel Hunnicutt when she receives word of Finn's discovery. Tess fears that this is just another one of Finn's wild goose chases.

Because his own boat has sunk, Finn needs a new one in order to continue his treasure hunt. So he manages to get taken aboard Nigel's boat and convinces the tycoon and his daughter Gemma (Alexis Dziena) to join him in the adventure.

Both critics and fans have panned "Fool's Gold" with some finding it familiar and bland. As I noted earlier, this movie resembles "Romancing the Stone" and "Jewel of the Nile". In addition, it is a little long and one more cut might have improved it. Overall, however, I found this film to be funny and exciting. It has the fun, devil-may-care atmosphere of a 1980's adventure film.

The main things I like about "Fool's Gold" are the offbeat characters and good acting. Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson starred together in "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days", and the chemistry between them is undeniable. McConaughey does get his shirt off, which appeals greatly to the ladies.

It is nice to see Donald Sutherland in a different kind of role, and the hysterical Alexis Dziena almost steals the show as his ditzy daughter. Plot is important and so is having interesting characters.

Bottom-line: If you like outdoorsy romantic adventure comedies with offbeat characters and attractive stars, then "Fool's Gold" is for you. "Citizen Kane" it is not, but good, escapist entertainment it definitely is!

Learn more about this author, Bruce Harden.
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