From the very start, Just Add Water is an awkward movie. At times, it feels like the movie is trying too hard to be snappy and well... indie that it comes off as forced and fake. Nothing just flows, leading to an incredibly awkward first half. The film doesn't find its story until halfway through, at which point it feels completely rushed. Even after the plot finds its direction, it is crammed with cheap, sentimental moments, most of which are meant to make you care about the characters - something the first 45 minutes should have been used for rather than introducing pointless plots like Ray's son's encounter with a prostitute or his sister's unsuccessful attempts at getting his mother's top secret lemon meringue recipe. The only things that matter in the first half are the introduction of Nora (Tracy Middendorf) and the owner of the local Chevron, Merl (Danny DeVito). Ray's scenes with these two characters are the best parts of the movie - especially his relationship with Nora since the chemistry between the two is obvious from the start.
Either writer/ director Hart Bochner has unresolved issues about growing up in a small town or, like most of Hollywood, he has little clue about life outside Los Angeles. The constant jabs at small town life ruin the entire experience. The entire town of Trona is full of lazy simpletons who are always drunk, high or pregnant - sometimes all three at once. If there's a small town cliché, it is worked into the film in one way or another. Although they are intended to be funny, they really just come off as condescending.
Even if you're into really quirky comedies, Just Add Water is a pass. There are some legitimate laughs here and there and the relationship between Nora and Ray is great - but these aren't enough to make up for a mostly directionless, clichéd plot and wasted screen time.
