`BOTTLE': MESSAGE NOT ALWAYS CLEAR.

Byline: Rob Lowman Daily News Entertainment Editor

Somewhere as you're drifting through the first third of ``Message in a Bottle,'' you start thanking some higher power - or at least some studio executive - for not casting Julia Roberts in the role of Theresa Osborne, a love-shy divorcee with a young child.

Luckily we have Robin Wright Penn, who adds some weight to a role that would likely float away with Roberts' cloying style.

Picking Wright Penn instead of Roberts is one of the smart choices by ``Message's'' makers. But for every plus there is a minus.

Based on Nicholas Sparks' best-selling novel of the same title, ``Message'' begins with Theresa, a researcher for the Chicago Tribune, finding a bottle with a letter in it addressed to ``Catherine'' and just signed ``G,'' while on a walk on a Cape Cod beach. Theresa, who is on vacation alone while her ex-husband watches their son, is taken by the force of the letter's romantic words. When she returns to her job, she is determined to find the letter's writer and convinces her boss, a high-powered columnist (Robbie Coltrane), that there might be a story in the bottle's origin.

(It's nice to have an understanding boss. Of course, as you're watching this, you're wondering how you get a job where you do so little actual work and seem to get paid so well. But we digress into reality, and this a romantic fantasy.)

Eventually, Theresa discovers that there are other bottles with messages and tracks the source to the outer banks in North Carolina and a widower, Garrett (Kevin Costner). It's Garrett who has been throwing the bottles into the ocean as messages to his late wife. His in-laws blame him for her death, and, to make matters worse, the still-grieving Garrett has left her art studio untouched, setting off a feud with them over ownership of her paintings.

Theresa goes down to meet Garrett and (surprise) falls in love with him. With two wounded birds like this, of course, complications are bound to ensue. Recounting more of the Harlequin-novel-style plot would be a silly exercise - just think sudsy.

But, as mentioned, ``Message'' has pluses as well as minuses; so let's add them up.

On the plus side: Paul Newman as Garrett's recovering alcoholic dad. His rascally charm helps breathe life into the film.

On the minus side: Paul Newman as Garrett's recovering alcoholic dad. Newman can play this role in his sleep. It would have been nice to give him more challenges. (A better script would help.)

On the plus side: Wright Penn. She doesn't play with her hair. You believe her as a mother.

On the minus side: Kevin Costner. Mr. ``Postman'' isn't terrible, but he isn't compelling enough to make romance fans line up at the box office. Put him in a comedy or an action flick, but he's too affable to be a silent, edgy sex symbol. Robert Redford could have done this role 20 years ago in his sleep. (They would have wanted Newman as his partner, though.) Redford can speak volumes with one of his stares; Costner just looks like he's zoned out.

On the plus side: some terrific actors in the supporting cast, including John Savage, Illeana Douglas and Robbie Coltrane. It's always nice to see them in a movie.

On the minus side: some terrific actors in the supporting cast, including John Savage, Illeana Douglas and Robbie Coltrane, who have nothing to do.

So, where are we? Plus, plus, plus. Minus, minus, minus. Oh let's just call it a wash.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Message in a Bottle'' (PG-13; for language and adult themes).

The stars: Kevin Costner, Robin Wright Penn, Paul Newman, John Savage, Illeana Douglas, Robbie Coltrane, Jesse James.

Behind the scenes: Directed by Luis Mandoki. Written by Gerald DiPego. Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Released by Warner Bros.

Running time: Two hours, six minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two stars.

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Photo

Photo: A reporter (Robin Wright Penn) meets a grieving widower (Kevin Costner) while on an assignment in ``Message in a Bottle.''