A question immediately arises in this extremely idiosyncratic film: Who are the crazy people?
The answer become less clear as the film goes on.
Renee Zellweger loses the whiney note in her voice and, while her voice is still high, she is incredibly effective as the shell-shocked Betty. In fact, she is so effective I almost wanted her to be just a little more crazy because her created reality was so believable.
This is the first time Ms Zellweger has been called upon to carry a film and she is more than equal to the task.
Chris Rock though as foul-mouthed as usual is fairly subdued as Wesley. He is able to sublimate his manic energy and it only occasionally surfaces and always when it is needed most.
There are some interesting allusions: the first time you see Betty she is dressed almost exactly like Dorothy Gale from the `Wizard of Oz' then later in the film she is compared to Dorothy when she says she has never been out of Kansas before. At one point the song that Doris Day was best known for, Que Sera Sera' is on the soundtrack and then later Charlie (Morgan Freeman) describes her as having a whole Doris Day thing going on.'
This is an extremely quirky film with good performances by everyone including the supporting cast.
It has a surprising ending that, as contrary as it sounds, is actually fairly predictable.
If for no other reason see this film just to listen to the master of the human voice: Morgan Freeman.