Just a few years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow was the toast of the Oscars for her role in a sophisticated romantic comedy about Shakespeare. The way critics are treating her latest comedy, in which she plays an empty-headed stewardess, you have to wonder what went wrong.
View from the Top is described by critics as a possible attempt at career suicide.
Religious press critics say it's poorly written and devoid of meaning. Lisa A. Rice (Movieguide) says, "It's campy and cute in spots, but the plot is over-used and generic. The worldview of
Phil Boatwright (The Movie Reporter) says, "It's about as funny as a plane crash. It briefly addresses issues such as family and seizing your destiny, but there is no way that the treatment of these messages could be considered profound or moving."
Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) says it "straddles the fence between spoof and romantic comedy without landing firmly on either side, it fails at both. It is a colossal waste of time and talent."
Steven Isaac (Focus on the Family) says the movie offers about as much taste as the idea of an airline hiring Hooters Girls for attendants.
Holly McClure (Crosswalk) calls it "an entertaining romp … [that boasts] priceless moments from Paltrow. This is a movie women will enjoy because they will relate to the female situations centered on beautiful women who overcome obstacles on their climb to the top. Men probably won't mind watching Paltrow and the others exploit their assets." But she admits, "It wasn't as funny as I thought it would be."
Mainstream critics' reports from the wreckage can be found here.