Rumor Has It Synopsis: Sarah Huttinger is a woman who learns that her family was the inspiration for the book and film “The Graduate” — and that she just might be the offspring of the well-documented event.
Newly engaged Sarah (Jennifer Aniston) is headed back home to California for the wedding of her little sister, Annie (Mena Suvari). While there, she discovers that her grandmother and mother might have inspired Charlie Webb’s novel, The Graduate. Desperate to discover the truth, Sarah seeks out Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner), a millionaire she suspects may be her real father.
“Life is short, but marriage is long… so drink up, and it will make it go a hell of a lot faster.”
I can’t really say that Rumor Has It is some unofficial sequel to The Graduate because it’s supposed to be about the family that inspired the book/movie. Or something like that. Sarah’s mother and grandmother both slept with Beau Burroughs… Beau bragged about it to his college buddy, Charlie Webb, who wrote a novel about it. Sarah, who feels completely removed from her family, is convinced Beau is her real father, especially after finding out her mother had an affair with him the week before her wedding to Earl (Richard Jenkins).
Some Spoilers Below…
So Sarah, engaged to Jeff, played by cutie patootie Mark Ruffalo, sends Jeff back to NYC so she can track down Beau. After some alcohol and finding out that Beau is sterile (so he says), Sarah sleeps with him. Thus begins Rumor Has It’s ick factor. Look, I know Beau is supposedly sterile and not Sarah’s dad, but she thought he was, and then, with a snap of the finger, she’s having sex with him. And he’s had sex with her mother… and grandmother! It’s just… icky!
Shirley MacLaine is a treat as Sarah’s grandmother, Katharine, and I’ve always enjoyed Richard Jenkins. But for me, the movie’s brightest spot is Mark Ruffalo as Jeff. He’s supportive and trusting of Sarah, but he’s also pretty damn funny. Beau is… odd. Sure, he’s a millionaire, but there’s just something strange about him. Obviously, Sarah is experiencing an identity crisis, but her choices in this film make zero sense to me. What is it about Beau that appeals so much? Is it that he’s handsome and wealthy? Pah.
“I didn’t come here to tell you that I can’t live without you. I can live without you. I just don’t want to.” – Sarah
After watching two Rob Reiner films in a row – Alex and Emma being the first – I realized both were mildly disappointing. I saw Rumor Has It… ages ago but could only remember the fact that Sarah slept with a guy she thought was her dad just because he claimed to be sterile – DNA test anyone? – and I think that’s all I’ll take away from this rewatch, too.
It’s just a cookie-cutter film that lands awkwardly in its message. There aren’t many laughs when Ruffalo isn’t on screen, and it’s tough to feel empathy for Sarah when she can so quickly hurt the people who love her, all because she doesn’t share much in common with her father. Honestly, I adored the cast, but Rumor Has It is just a mess.
Watched: 03/14/2022
Notable Song: Baby, You’ve Got What It Takes by Nellie McKay and Taj Mahal
