Sinking fast

Fool's Gold (rated PG-13 for action, violence, some sexual material, brief nudity, and language) casts Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in a shallow and disappointing romantic comedy set in the Caribbean's clear waters and sunny beaches.

McConaughey plays Ben "Finn" Finnegan, a swindling, yet good-natured, treasure hunter obsessed with discovering riches from a sunken vessel that once belonged to the Spanish monarchy. His myopia ruined his marriage to Hudson's character, Tess Finnegan, who had tired of her ex-husband's excuses and empty promises.

The movie is pieced together with an endless and unbelievable series of fortunate and unfortunate events. Finn's rickety boat explodes, falling to the sea floor and revealing a clue to the legendary treasure. He also survives an attempt on his life ordered by his one-time benefactor-a small, but tough-minded rapper named Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart).

A near-fatal high-seas collision results in Finn being rescued by the crew of a billionaire seafarer named Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland), who just happens to employ Tess as a stewardess on his luxury yacht.

Finn convinces Nigel to help in his quest and Tess rediscovers her desire to find the treasure. This new, unlikely team, joined by Nigel's self-absorbed, Gucci-adorned, daddy-loathing daughter, Gemma (Alexis Dziena), finds out they are in a race against time when they run up against a band of loutish treasure seekers who have the same goal.

Fool's Gold is directed by Andy Tennant, who is known for turning out such crowd-pleasing hits as Hitch and Sweet Home Alabama, films buoyed by star power and a good story. However, star power can't rescue this movie: It takes on too much water as its slow, thin, unbelievable story unfolds.