THE all-star line-up is what counts most in director Joe Roth's latest movie, America's Sweethearts.

Welsh sweetheart Catherine Zeta-Jones joins Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal and John Cusack in a quality cast which can draw in film fans.

Kiki Harrison (Roberts) is the devoted assistant (and sister) of popular film star - and all-round difficult woman - Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones).

It's a tricky existence, running around after the self-obsessed actress, who all but ruins her career after breaking up with her real-life and on-screen partner Eddie, (John Cusack).

But it's set to become even more difficult when Kiki agrees to help Press agent Lee Phillips (Crystal) reunite Gwen with Eddie for one last public appearance to promote their latest onscreen collaboration - a $90m science fiction film that no one, including studio head Dave Kingman (Stanley Tucci), has seen.

At first, trying to maintain the peace between Gwen and Eddie is the thoughest task facing Kiki and Lee as the couple, seen as America's Sweethearts by the public and the Press, really can't stand each other.

Then, in a plot twist that's hardly one of the most original to come out of Hollywood, Kiki finds her longtime friendship with Eddie begins to take a romantic turn.

Original idea or not, the ensemble cast turn in some wickedly funny performances.

The two A-list stars - Roberts plays the developing beauty to perfection (Pretty Woman, anyone) and Zeta-Jones is impressive as the manipulator - bring enough big screen appeal to make America's Sweethearts a decent night out at the pictures.

Add ace actor Cusack as the lovesick leading man, funnyman Billy Crystal and a series of jokes and one-liners from Crystal and Tolan and there's even more to recommend it.

Director Roth says he loves the movies from the 1930s and '40s.

"The great gang comedies of the past . . . the Sturges films and the Capra films where an entire cast of characters comes together."

America's Sweethearts might not hit Frank Capra's level but, nevertheless, it's an entertaining try.