This review covers a double feature release of Fools Rush In and Maid in Manhattan. This "double feature" consists of the two aforementioned titles in individual slim pack cases housed in a cardboard box about the same size of a regular DVD case. Both movies are supposed to come in their widescreen and full frame presentations--identical copies to the original DVD releases. However the specifications for the movies are listed incorrectly. Fools Rush In was originally released as a double-sided single-layered DVD, with the full frame transfer on one side and the widescreen transfer on the other. This double feature includes only the widescreen presentation of the movie. Regardless, if you own either (or both) of these movies already, then there is no point in double dipping for the double feature version. There are no extras included in this re-release (or even the original releases) and the video transfers and audio tracks almost are identical except for Fools Rush In missing the full frame presentation. On the chance you do not own either of these movies, read on because they both make for solid rentals.

Fools Rush In
The 1997 film Fools Rush In is not an amazing piece of work, but it still has a nice tone that makes for an enjoyable romantic comedy. The movie stars Friends' Matthew Perry across the ever-so-popular Salma Hayek. The pair makes for a decent couple and get in a few silly situations together to make you laugh while enjoying wholehearted goodness of the movie--which at times does seem a little lax. Overall, if you enjoy romantic comedies, Fools Rush In makes for a solid rental.

Perry plays Alex Whitman, a rising star who is sent to Las Vegas to oversee the construction of a night club. While there, he meets Hayek's character Isabel Fuentes and the two have a night of passion together. The next day Isabel leaves without a word to Alex. Three months later, she shows up at his door announcing she is pregnant. Alex responds to the situation by proposing to her and they go to a Vegas Chapel and join in holy matrimony.

The events of the story start to focus on the reality of their situation and how they rushed into marriage and obviously did not think it through. For instance there are several fun jokes about the extreme cultural differences between Alex and Isabel, as well as their family members. Perry's goofy personality also makes for a few fun laughs, although without his Friends co-star Matthew LeBanc next to him he is not as funny. In the end, Fools Rush In is a fun and delightful movie that will make you laugh and smile. While it is not a really strong flick, it still makes for a good rental.

Read DVD Talk's original review of Fools Rush In.

Maid in Manhattan
Like Fools Rush In, Maid in Manhattan has its merits, but is far from a great film. The first time I saw this 2002 movie I had a pretty hard to sitting through it. I really enjoyed seeing the main star Jennifer Lopez star in The Wedding Planner and I was hoping Maid in Manhattan would deliver the same cuteness and fun. I found it did not sit well with me. However after watching it a second time I have changed my opinion. I can see the movie has its strengths as a romantic comedy.

The story stars Lopez as Marisa Ventura. Marisa is a hard working single mother. She works as a maid in an upscale hotel and hopes to one day rise above her current station and become a hotel manager. One day on the job while cleaning a guest's room, she finds herself being bullied by a coworker to try on a five thousand dollar dress. Marisa puts the dress on and soon finds a senatorial candidate Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) mistaking her for the room's tenant. The movie continues to unravel as Christopher and Marisa attempt a relationship together; all the while Christopher thinks Marisa is a rich hotel guest and not the maid.

What works for the movie are the characters. The main and supporting characters provide vivid and colorful personalities that work quite well together. They produce some fun and exciting situations. Lopez depicts her character well, and her son played by Tyler Posey also offers a delightful character. The overall story unfolds quite well and produces a tale that is easy to follow and something you won't want to miss. In the end, Maid in Manhattan makes for a solid watch. While I did not care for it the first time I saw it, this second watch has changed my opinion and I think this film is worth of a rental.

Read DVD Talk's original review of Maid in Manhattan

The DVD

Video:
Fools Rush In: The specifications are listed incorrectly for this movie. The box cover claims it includes two transfer, 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and 2.35:1 full screen. The 2.35:1 is obviously a misprint as it is a ratio for widescreen transfers. The DVD case cover claims 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and 1.33:1 full screen. This is still a misprint. This release only includes a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. As for the picture quality, the picture looks pretty good with some noticeable compression artifacts.

Maid in Manhattan: Unlike Fools Rush In, there is no error in the packaging about the video transfers included. Maid in Manhattan comes with in both 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen and 1.33:1 full screen presentations. The picture quality is quite good and offers a relatively clean transfer with minor compression artifacts.

Audio:
Fools Rush In: The audio tracks included with this release come in two flavors. There is a 2.0 stereo sound and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. The stereo track is in English and the 5.1 track includes language options for English, Spanish, and French. The sound quality is quite good and all dialogue is easily heard. The 5.1 track seems overkill as there is little distinction of the surround sound capabilities. This release includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French. It also supports English closed captioning.

Maid in Manhattan: The audio track for this release comes in one format, 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. The language options include English and French. The audio track is clean and all dialogue is easily heard. Like Fools Rush In there is little use of the surround sound capabilities. This release includes subtitles in English and French. There is also support for English closed captioning.

Extras:
There are no extras included.

Final Thoughts:
Both Fools Rush In and Maid in Manhattan make for decent rentals. The stories are cute and characters are likeable. If you have not seen either movie, this set should make for a good rental. However if you own either movie, then this double feature is probably not worth you attention. The releases included are practically identical to the original DVD releases and provide little reason to double dip.