Good Advice

Good Advice is a lighter comedy-drama released in 2001 starring Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, and Angie Harmon, directed by Steve Rash. The movie explores the world of Wall Street, love, advice, and relationships with a comic touch, offering a witty and entertaining viewing experience.

Charlie Sheen plays the lead character, Ryan Turner, a successful Wall Street trader, living the high life in New York City. Turner's indulgent lifestyle is characterized by his extravagant tastes, his fashionable upper Manhattan apartment, his sleek sports car, and his beautiful, glamorous girlfriend Cindy Styne, played elegantly by Denise Richards. Early in the movie, Turner's life turns upside down as he loses his job when a business deal goes wrong, and this is compounded further when his girlfriend Cindy, a popular advice columnist leaves him for a multi-billionaire.

Left stranded with no money, job or girlfriend, Ryan moves into Cindy's apartment out of desperation. Cindy, in a rush to enjoy her luxurious life with the billionaire, abandons her advice column, leaving behind an array of heartfelt but unanswered letters. With no other options left, and rent due to be paid, Ryan decides to masquerade as Cindy devoid of any other income sources. He starts crafting responses to the readers' problems, dispensing advice in the guise of good-sense Cindy while injecting a bit of humor and light-heartedness into each of his pseudonymous replies.

Angie Harmon plays Page Henson, Cindy's editor who is initially unaware of the switcheroo. Ryan surprises everyone, including himself, with the newfound wisdom he possesses and dishes out in the advice column. Not only does his advice resonate with the readers, but it also catapults the column's popularity, drawing the attention of Page Henson. As Ryan becomes an overnight sensation in this unexpected role, he also discovers his knack for empathizing with people, helping them solve their dilemmas with his honest and unconventional advice.

As viewers, we watch Ryan's transformation from a self-absorbed, money-minded individual to someone who genuinely cares about people's feelings and their problems. His character arc and growth highlight the movie's core strength. Charlie Sheen stands out in his portrayal of Ryan's journey, from complete breakdown to renewal, showcasing finesse and talent that keep the audience engaged.

Simultaneously, the chemistry between Sheen and Harmon is noteworthy. Harmon, with her strong, confident demeanor, compliments Sheen's energy on-screen. The dialogues between these two, filled with smart banter and witty exchanges, are one of the captivating aspects of the film.

On the other hand, Denise Richards nails the character of a capricious girlfriend, infusing the movie with the right blend of drama and humor. Her performance adequately represents Cindy's materialistic and self-indulgent nature, which counterpoints the evolution of Ryan's character.

Despite being a comedy, Good Advice does an excellent job of addressing serious issues subtly. The movie delivers a moral message about self-discovery, kindness, empathy, and the ability to change one's perspectives to become a better person without appearing preachy.

The supporting cast ensemble, including Rosanna Arquette, Jon Lovitz, and Estelle Harris, add pleasant dimensions to the storyline, enhancing the humor and charm of the film. These charismatic actors create a rich and delightful tapestry of characters, making the film an engaging watch while bringing layers to the plotline.

With its vibrant setting, Good Advice paints an intriguing picture of a man's journey in a woman's world, combined with humor, feel-good moments, life lessons and a fascinating look into the world of column-writing. The director, Steve Rash, with his knack for lighthearted comedy, manages to make Good Advice an amusing yet thought-provoking movie.

Overall, Good Advice is an amusing, smart, and entertaining movie that will surely appeal to fans of romantic comedies and life-changing narratives. The film delivers laughs along with insightful takes on life, relationship, and human nature. Whether it's Sheen's charisma, Harmon's wit, Richard's glamour, or the overall comic elements, the movie has something for everyone.