This Can't Be Love (1994 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

It took them long enough to work together.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 25 December 2020]

She was on stage in the late 20's, made her film debut in 1932, with him on screen for the first time four years later. She was a star from the get go. He took over a decade to move out of ethnic villain roles and into heroic leads. Yet there is something about Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Quinn here that makes you feel like they've known each other for decades the chemistry is just right. Or perhaps I'm just an old softie for two stars whose work I've always enjoyed, having seen Quinn on stage in the musical "Zorba" and realizing how "Life Is" never over for people their age as long as their minds remember romance and continue to smile when they remember that.

Chauffer Jason Bateman finds his life turned upside down when she is aghast he's not up with her before dawn. But he finds out a lot about her likes and dislikes through their daily jaunts and when she runs into former lover Quinn at a museum, it's an explosion heard all over the town. Their reunion has been arranged by the pretty Jami Gertz who has a personal connection to Quinn and is more than just a bit attracted to the constantly grinning Bateman.

This film has many different references to Quinn and Hepburn's actual careers with some references twisted that anyone familiar with their careers will pick up. Both actors still had a lot of fire in the furnace, and Hepburn shows off her physical strength in several comical scenes. She even gets a great scene discussing a film she made with John Wayne with a horse no less!

Certainly the film is very gimmicky but fun, topped off in a jail cell that Hepburn shares with two prostitutes. The housekeeper played by Maxine Miller is a great supporting character with a light shining off of her that even Hepburn can't diminish in their scenes together. This is a lot of fun if you put the unbelievable situation behind and just enjoy it for the two stars. After all, how many times do you see an 87 year old woman being picked up by an 80 year old man and carried out while she swats at him?

This Can't Be Love

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 26 August 2023]

I can't help but wonder how Jason Bateman must have felt when his agent told him he was going to get to make a film with Katharine Hepburn and Anthony Quinn! Oh to be a fly on that wall....! The film itself is a gentle tale of the two, now retired, actors who've got quite a bit of an history. Hepburn has engaged Bateman as her chauffeur and general dogsbody. He meets a young girl whom he introduces to his boss but he doesn't know that she has a hidden agenda and that involves Quinn, an autobiography and a whole load of trouble for the young man. Hepburn is not at her best here; she is clearly just playing herself, but she gels well with the charming Quinn through their rather set-piece skirmishes. It's a fine piece of cinema nostalgia that might just encourage folks to watch some of their earlier, more challenging films. As it is, it's an easy but unremarkable watch.

Adorable!

[SarahKayW · 25 November 2003]

I found this film to be adorable. I loved Kate in it, and it amazed me the similarities to her life. I just found it wonderful! The acting all around was decent, not too bad. Cute plot but I doubt it would work with anyone but Katharine Hepburn! She pulled it all together-as always.

This "Can" Be ...Great!

[happipuppi13 · 10/10 · 11 May 2022]

Can honestly say this is another great TV-Movie from Hepburn.

It's funny to see Kate play a former actress, that parallels herself. Like mentioning she once starred in a movie called "Song Of Life" (instead of her actual film "Song Of Love".)

Jason Bateman who once played a smart-aleck on Silver Spoons (but has gone on tobigger things since) convincingly plays her new chauffeur who's from Iowa and a bit inexperienced or naive'.

Jami Gertz character ("Square Pegs" & "Still Standing") is employed at a book publishing company that wants to publish a tell-all about actor Reyman's (Anthony Quinn) and Bennett's (Hepburn) short-lived, 5 day marriage in the 1940s. Gertz and Quinn's plot is to get Bennett's approval and admission to the book and the existence of the marriage.

Trouble is, Ms. Bennett wants nothing to do with Mr. Reyman at all. Seems she still hates his guts after 50 years. He's none to pleased about having to deal with her either. After much deception by Gertz & Quinn, the truth of their quest is revealed and Ms. Bennett is even angrier.

As well as disappointed because she was starting to believe that Reyman had truly changed as a person. These two characters 'do' have feelings for each-other but have been so angry for so long, it doesn't come to the surface until the very end.

Not surprisingly,Bateman and Gertz's characters banter and fall for each-other too. They also have a genuine concern for the two "adults" they're working for.

Gertz when Anthony Quinn (showing a wonderful comic side) pulls a sword and challenges his would be publisher to duel after being insulted. Bateman,when Ms. Bennett takes off walking into the city (without her purse) after discovering Reyman's writings.

The title,"This Can't Be Love", simply means that Hepburn's character is not buying into the idea that this man still even cares about her romantically but, he does and despite their arguments ,she does also.

As I say about all movies, just let yourself enjoy it and don't pick it apart. It's ten stars from me. ( END)

Kate Hepburns Swan Song

[alex830 · 10/10 · 5 April 2010]

Although it may not exactly be "Bringing up Baby" I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy starring Katharine Hepburn in her final leading role. She still shines as an actress in her 62nd year of acting despite suffering from skin cancer during filming. But being a trooper she makes it through the movie in one piece. Her character parallels her own life on so many levels that this could be considered a documentary on her own long and successful career. At one point she even talks about appearing in a western with John Wayne (Rooseter Cogburn 1975) and having survived a hurricane as she really did back in 1938. All in all, this was a cute little television production. It's always nice to see Kate Hepburn.