Do you remember those movies that have a real quirky title but end up being something strange, unusual, entertaining and original? I often find treasures like this when I look real hard in a video store but very rarely find it in a theatre. Hollywood often neglects and buries little goldmines like these because they don't have faith in the title or something really went wrong with the production. All of these statements are true with "Nurse Betty".

"Nurse Betty" tells the story of a waitress named Betty (Renee Zellweger) who is obsessed with a daily soap opera "A Reason to Love". On that soap is Dr. David Ravell (Greg Kinnear) who is the object of Betty's undying love. The world surrounding Betty is so very close to crashing in around her that it's the soap that sustains her will to live.

One night Betty is watching a recording of the "A Reason to Love" and she hears her "dream man" utter these very words, "I know there's someone special out there for me." Betty is bowled over are she honestly believes David is speaking to her. It's at that moment that her husband, Del (Aaron Eckhart), returns from entertaining some clients. As the show continues Betty hears some screaming coming from the kitchen. Perturbed she turns up the TV and ignores it but out of curiosity she peaks into the kitchen. There she witnesses two hitmen (Chris Rock and Morgan Freeman) executing her husband. Within Betty's mind something clicks and she doesn't even remember the execution. All she can remember are those beautiful words her beloved doctor said to her. This convinces her to leave her hometown and travel to Hollywood to find her soulmate, Dr David Ravell. Will Betty ever face the hitmen again and exactly find out what Del was into? Is her fantasy really going to become a reality?

"Betty" is a brilliant little script that is fresh, funny and so original. It truly is amazing when something like this film catches you off guard. I hope there is some sort of nomination for this film's writer because it's been a while since I have seen something like this.

"Betty" is directed by Neil LaBute who directed two other films that were rather dark and heartless but touched on a lot of issues we relate to everyday. Those films were "In the Company of Men" and "Your Friends and Neighbors" which both starred Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart plays a jerk in Betty much like he did in his other collaborations with LaBute. Eckhart is amazing in how he buries deep under our skins and plays with us from inside. We really honestly hate this guy and it's in that portrayal that has helped LaBute's trio of films.

Aside from Eckhart's third jerk persona, "Betty" offers up wonderful performances from its leads. Kinnear is once more showing how much he wants to be noticed actor in Hollywood. His character is bland, typical and self-involved but there is an element of freshness presented here. Zellweger, "Betty's" main focus and star shows amazing resilience as she plays the innocent woman on the verge to perfection. I liked how she shrugged off the impending doom and stuck to her fantasy no matter what is presented in her lap. Zellweger hasn't been this good since "Jerry Maguire".

In the film's subplot involving the two hitmen, I thought Freeman and Rock were a little bland compared to the main plot. I liked their performances but I kind of wished the script would have made them more fresh, different and original. Playing a typical squabbling hitman must not have been fun for an amazing actor like Freeman. The hitman flaw in the film becomes relevant in the film's fourth quarter when all elements of the film finally come together. When you see the film you will know what I mean. It really is a shame.

Putting that aside, "Betty" is still one of the most original scripts I have seen in a long time.

(4 of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.