Just Getting Started features veteran actors Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones, who share a good on-screen chemistry to bring us some hilarious moments. Watching the two compete at golf and even ping pong results in some comedic incidents and dialog. They have an interest in the same woman, Suzie, played by Rene Russo, but Jones’ character, Leo, seems more sincere than Duke (Freeman). In one scene, Duke appears as Santa Claus for an annual Christmas event when a new Santa shows up, claiming he is there to replace Duke, who loves playing Santa Claus and isn’t about to let a newcomer claim his job. So the two Santas go at it, flailing at one another in a very funny scene. Leo comes to the rescue, helping Duke out and telling him he doesn’t like anyone to pick on Santa.
The holiday spirit is alive in this movie, with Duke even singing “Silent Night” in one scene. Duke has been happy overseeing the Villa Capri while being in the Witness Protection Program, and although Leo, an ex-F.B.I. agent, and Duke seem unlikely to become friends, Leo admits at one point that he “likes” Duke a little bit. Their rivalry and competitive nature, as well as their emerging friendship, makes for an interesting and funny story. Johnny Mathis makes an appearance to sing in the movie, and the film incorporates a few profound comments such as “Only God is perfect.” However, we can’t award our Dove Seal to the movie, due to excessive language and sexual innuendos and comments, but it shines when it focuses on the fact that two men unlikely to form a friendship do exactly that.
