by Karyn L. Beach

“Because I Said So” is a parent’s, often last-ditch, excuse for making a child do something. When you can think of no other reason, “Because I Said So,” fills that gap. It’s not the most compelling argument and it definitely isn’t a good reason to see this film.

Diane Keaton is Daphne, a woman on the verge of turning 60, who has managed to successfully raise three wonderful daughters on her own. But she can’t be happy with three happy, healthy daughters. No, she can’t be happy until all three of them are happily married. Two of them are: psychologist daughter Maggie (Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls) and daughter Mae (Piper Pearabo). The problem is with youngest daughter, Millie (Mandy Moore). A successful caterer, she’s been unlucky with love and that vexes her mother. So mom gets the bright idea to place a personal ad for her daughter. Her plan is to screen all the men and when she finds the perfect one, set up a casual meeting.

Of all the men, architect Jason (Tom Everett Scott) appears to be the ‘perfect one’. Watching all of this in amusement is guitarist Johnny, who had been watching Daphne screen all the potential applicants. Despite Daphne’s resistance, Johnny insists on throwing his hat in the ring for Millie’s hand, too.

While it’s nice to see good mother-daughter relationships; enough is enough. Do I really want to talk with mom about orgasms and the virtues of an uncircumcised penis? Eeeww. Can we just bond while shoe shopping?

Diane Keaton is a wonderful actress and she has patented the adorable goofy and neurotic woman. I loved her most recently in Something’s Gotta Give. But less is definitely more when it comes to that kind of character and we get way too much here. She’s just too high-strung, too over-wrought and too overbearing.

The best thing about Because I Said So is the men. Gabriel Macht is especially charming as the good-guy guitarist. I am looking forward to seeing more of him. He has a magnetism and charm that is perfect for a romantic comedy. Tom Everett Scott is good as the not-quite-right guy who says all the right things but lacks sincerity.

Because I Said So isn’t a good enough reason to see this film. I’d suggest it as a rental. But if you are going to do the Blockbuster/Netflix thing anyway, I’d suggest skipping this entirely and renting a better Keaton film (and that wouldn’t be The Family Stone).