“New in Town” a touching comedy which embraces its American values

A smorgasbord of talent - from a Danish director to the infinitely likeable Renee Zellweger - converge in a blue collar meets corporate boardroom rom-com set in the icy cold of Minnesota. “New in Town” is a wonderful ensemble comedy which effectively skewers preconceptions held about small town folks and big city suits, while tossing an unlikely and inconvenient romance into the mix. The humor is naturally discovered from the convergence of two cultures, in this fish out of water tale.

Zellweger (“Leatherheads”) is Lucy Hill, a corporate climber for a big company in Miami. She is sent to a small town in Minnesota to downsize the town’s major manufacturer, which the corporation purchased. Her upscale, fast paced, Starbucks lifestyle must change if she is to motivate her employees who firmly adhere to their traditional values. Once she gets to know her too friendly secretary Blanche (Siobhan Fallon; “Baby Mama”), the plant’s grouchy foreman Stu (J.K. Simmons; “Juno”), and a protective single dad, Ted (Harry Connick Jr.; “P.S. I Love You”), Lucy has second thoughts about the boardroom’s decision.

The introduction of an outsider into a close-knit community storyline works remarkably well in this movie. Lucy’s fashion-ista ways are an immediate source of humor as she is humorously ill-prepared for the fiercly cold weather. The employees have a bit of fun at Lucy’s expense but Zellweger manages to hold her head high and keep her pride intact. Lucy is a hardy foil for many of the film’s jokes but the supporting characters have their own amusing quirks. Fallon’s Blanche practically steals the show with her northern “Fargo-esque” accent and unprofessional but nonetheless touching concern for her boss. Simmons continues to be a solid supporting actor managing a gruff exterior with a heart. Connick Jr. finally has a worthy romantic role without needing to come across as uneducated or backwoods.

“New in Town” feels especially timely with its theme of distrusting corporate decision making and fearing the loss of good manufacturing jobs in a town reliant on them. Decisions made hundreds of miles away may not seem as good for the bottom line when staring into the faces of laid off workers. While the movie is primarily a comedy and shies away from delving deeply into this aspect, it remains there beneath the surface. Zellweger and her supporting cast successfully create a touching comedy which embraces its American values while casually finding humor among its folds.

Rated PG for language and some suggestive material.