Admission - C

Rated PG-13, 107 minutes

"Admission" lacks passion, wit

Tina Fey and Paul Rudd

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were stellar hosts of the Golden Globes earlier this year, bringing a sharp sense of humor and a real eye for comedy. Unfortunately, that same sense of humor isn't found in Fey's flimsy, strained new romantic comedy "Admission," though the real culprit may be it's unfocused script and direction. Fey is straitlaced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan. She strives to live by the book until she's dumped by her long-term boyfriend and colleague (Michael Sheen) and reconnects with an old college acquaintance John Pressman (Rudd). John is head of a small prep school and trying to get in a brilliant student named Jeremiah (Nat Wolff) into Princeton. He by-the-book approach to life changes as she falls for John and learns she may be Jeremiah's birth mother. Given the pedigree of the talent and director, Paul Weitz of "About a Boy" and "In Good Company," "Admission" is a real disappointment. It could've been funnier, sharper and certainly handled more efficiently for what it is: a female mid-life crisis comedy. Based on the novel of the same name by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the story lacks focus, passion and a genuine wit; instead, it's a weak string of mildly amusing episodes that don't really amount to much. Fey and Rudd are a cute pairing, but they're given little to do, as is the always hilarious Lily Tomlin, relegated to just a few scenes. The climax of "Admission," what little there is of it, is a particular disappointment given how much time is devoted to it. Now that her TV show "30 Rock" has ended, I was hoping for a stronger, smarter and sharper comedy from such a genuinely funny comedienne such as Fey, but "Admission" is not it.

Wes's Grade: C