Okay, settle in, rewind that tape mentally (or physically, if you still can!), because we're diving into a late-90s concoction that flickered across screens just before the millennium flipped over: 1999's Simply Irresistible. This isn't the kind of movie that blasted onto the scene; it was more like that quirky, brightly-colored box you might have picked up on a whim down the "New Releases" aisle at Blockbuster, intrigued by a familiar face and a slightly weird premise.
Remember when Sarah Michelle Gellar was everywhere thanks to a certain stake-wielding gig in Sunnydale? Well, nestled amongst her higher-profile projects was this fluffy piece of magical realism, a film that feels like it was spun from sugar, spice, and maybe a sprinkle of leftover pixie dust from the decade's fantasy leanings. It's the kind of movie that might have felt utterly charming under the soft glow of a CRT, even if the magic now seems charmingly... well, simple.
### A Dash of Magic, A Pinch of Romance
The setup is pure rom-com comfort food: Amanda Shelton (Gellar) is a lovely but culinarily challenged young woman who inherits her late mother's struggling, old-school New York restaurant, The Southern Cross. Things look bleak until a mysterious market vendor (and a magical crab, because why not?) unlocks latent magical abilities within her. Suddenly, Amanda’s cooking doesn’t just taste good; it literally affects the emotions of those who eat it. Enter Tom Bartlett (Sean Patrick Flanery, bringing that earnest charm he deployed in films like Powder), a driven executive opening a posh restaurant in Henri Bendel (remember that iconic store?). Naturally, sparks, and magically induced feelings, fly.
What makes Simply Irresistible stand out, for better or worse, is its wholehearted embrace of this magical premise. We're talking desserts that make people weep with joy, pastries that induce dizzying romance, and seafood with a mind of its own. Does it always make sense? Absolutely not. But there’s an undeniable sweetness to its conviction. Watching it now feels like looking back at a specific flavor of late-90s optimism, where a little bit of inexplicable magic felt like a perfectly acceptable plot device.
### That Late-90s Glimmer
Let's talk about those effects. This wasn't the era of seamless CGI integrating into every frame. The magic here feels tangible, almost practical in its oddness. Remember that scene with the floating crab? Or the way light seemed to shimmer around certain dishes? It has that slightly homespun, pre-Y2K digital touch that feels incredibly nostalgic now. Compared to today's hyper-realistic effects, it’s like comparing a hand-decorated cupcake to a 3D-printed sculpture – both have their place, but one just feels warmer, more personal, even if the frosting is a bit uneven. It’s endearing in its earnestness.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, deep in her Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, is effervescent and likable as Amanda. It was clearly a move to showcase a softer side, away from the roundhouse kicks and witty banter. She sells the slightly bewildered charm well. Sean Patrick Flanery, fresh off the delayed release saga of The Boondock Saints (also 1999), plays the straight man swept up in the magic, grounding the fantasy just enough. And you get the wonderful Patricia Clarkson adding a touch of class as Tom’s colleague, Lois.
### Behind the Kitchen Door
Here’s a fun tidbit: the director, Mark Tarlov, had a fascinatingly varied career. Before helming this sugary romance, he was a producer on decidedly different films, including John Waters' darkly comedic Serial Mom (1994) and Pecker (1998), plus the slick thriller Copycat (1995). Talk about range! Perhaps that eclectic background contributed to the film’s slightly off-kilter charm. Tarlov was also a lawyer and later a successful Oregon wine producer – maybe his appreciation for complex flavors influenced this food-centric flick?
Despite its whimsical premise and star power, Simply Irresistible didn't exactly set the world on fire. Made on a modest budget (around $6 million), it barely recouped its costs at the box office, pulling in roughly $4.4 million. Critics were largely unkind (it still sits at a frosty 16% on Rotten Tomatoes). It became one of those films destined for the rental shelves and late-night cable slots – a "VHS Heaven" staple, perhaps discovered rather than sought out. Its destiny wasn't blockbuster status, but quiet, quirky charm.
### Is It Still Appetizing?
Watching Simply Irresistible today is an exercise in affectionate nostalgia. The plot is thinner than a crêpe, and the magical logic dissolves faster than cotton candy in the rain if you think about it too hard. The late-90s fashion and optimistic tone are thick enough to spread on toast. Yet... there's something undeniably sweet about it. It's guileless, committed to its whimsical concept, and anchored by likable leads. It reminds me of finding that slightly battered tape with the intriguing cover, popping it in, and just letting its gentle, goofy magic wash over you for 90 minutes. It aimed for enchantment, and while it might not have been potent magic, it was certainly a pleasant little spell.
VHS Heaven Rating: 5.5/10
Justification: It scores points for its earnest charm, Gellar's winning performance, and its status as a genuine late-90s oddity. The magical premise is fun, even if underdeveloped. However, it loses points for a weak plot, occasionally clunky execution, and effects that were perhaps charmingly dated even upon release. It's definitely not a gourmet meal, but more like a surprisingly comforting, slightly weird dessert found at the back of the fridge.
Final Thought: A cinematic confection whose slightness is part of its appeal; Simply Irresistible is like a late-90s dream cooked up on a Tuesday night – maybe not life-changing, but sweet, strange, and definitely a product of its time-capsule kitchen.