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Austin Movies

Off-screen sizzle, on-screen fizzle?

With 'Gigli,' Ben and Jen follow in the footsteps of Meg and Russell, Kim and Alec. Yeah, we're dreading this, too.

By Omar L. Gallaga
American-Statesman Staff

Posted: August 1, 2003

• 'Gigli' Reviews

In the new Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez film "Gigli," the real-life couple plays a pair of mobsters who, despite their differences (she's a lesbian, he's the Sexiest Man Alive), take a shine to each other. Whether audiences will buy their on-screen chemistry given the very public romance between the two stars remains to be seen. But the road that off-screen couples take when trying to show some love on screen is littered with high-profile disasters. Let the star couple beware:

Off-screen couple: Warren Beatty and Annette Bening
On-screen romance: "Bugsy," "Love Affair"
The result: "Bugsy" got Oscar props, but "Love Affair" was a minor disaster. Most people would have forgotten it forever if Katharine Hepburn's recent death hadn't reminded us.
What went wrong: Beatty and monogamy seem as wrong together as peanut butter and garlic. He had more chemistry with Halle Berry in "Bulworth."

Off-screen couple: Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
On-screen romance: "Days of Thunder," "Far and Away," "Eyes Wide Shut"
The result: "Days of Thunder" was trash, "Far and Away" was high-minded but forgettable and "Eyes Wide Shut" was creepy. And not in a good way.
What went wrong: Height differences, pesky rumors, a messy breakup. It's hard to believe there was a time they were considered a perfect Hollywood couple. (Plus Kidman's done her best work post-Cruise -- "Moulin Rouge," "The Others" -- and won an Oscar for "The Hours.")

Off-screen couple: Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe
On-screen romance: "Proof of Life"
The result: Their highly publicized affair helped bury "Proof of Life," at least according to director Taylor Hackford. The story of a married woman falling in love with a guy trying to save her hostage husband seemed a little too real for comfort.
What went wrong: Affairs may be good gossip, but the gossip didn't translate to box office gold. Crowe refused to talk about the relationship and eventually got married; Ryan's marriage fell apart and she hasn't had a hit film since. The only winner was Ryan's (now ex-) husband Dennis Quaid, who scored enough sympathy points to keep him in female telephone numbers for eternity.

Off-screen couple: Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin
On-screen romance: "The Marrying Man," "The Getaway"
The result: Audiences were able to forgive "The Marrying Man," but when you start thinking you can outdo Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen with a "Getaway" remake, you're just asking for ill-will.
What went wrong: While Baldwin and Basinger have great chemistry with other actors, their sparks together were of the 10-for-a-dollar fireworks variety.

Off-screen couple: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
On-screen romance: "Good Will Hunting," "Project Greenlight"
The result: Their ode to male-male friendship, "Good Will Hunting," scored a writing Oscar and good box office. Their HBO reality show "Project Greenlight" has gotten better in its second season even with only minimal Affleck/Damon participation.
What went wrong: Reportedly? J.Lo.

• 'Gigli' Reviews

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