The story sees Dublin waitress Lucy (Kate Hudson) fall for the Adam of the title (played by Stuart Townsend, of Shooting Fish and Queen of the Damned fame). Lucy and Adam get engaged, but there’s a twist in the proceedings when we learn that Adam has been having clandestine meetings with Lucy’s sister Laura (Frances O’Connor). The joke isn’t entirely on Lucy, however, as Adam is also cheating on Laura. Of course, Adam hasn’t chosen just any girl, but has plumped for a third sister, Alice (Charlotte Bradley). As if all this wasn’t enough, Adam adds further spice to his life by taking an interest in the brother of the three girls.
There’s usually an unconvincing aspect when American actors take on roles that require them to be anything other than American or Canadian; just like Renée Zellweger’s stab at Bridget Jones, there’s something not quite right about Hudson’s young Irishwoman. Sure, she’s fairly winning in the part, but her WASP-ish looks clash with that hearty Irish brogue. O’Connor fares a little better, adding an Irish accent to the English and American ones she’s clocked up on her travels through Mansfield Park and Bedazzled.
There are far less likeable films than About Adam, yet it fails to make the bridge from pleasantly diverting to thoroughly enjoyable. The script, by director Gerard Stembridge (who wrote Ordinary Decent Criminal), is fairly tight and proceedings certainly don’t drag. On the other hand, this rather anodyne confection is one you may well have forgotten before the final credits are done.
Filmink
