Based on a self-help book written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo concerning the ever-widening gap between genders and the misunderstandings that often arise between couples. In the film, a woman who can't seem to get a firm grip on the men in her life pursues an advice columnist who never quite knew what he wanted in a relationship.
by germainetay87
on 26/04/2009 2 of 4 people found this review helpful
What I loved most: Famous faces to gush at
What I really hated: Bland story line
I'm surprised that the producers of the movie managed to convince such a stellar cast to act in such an average film.
I went into the movie expecting alot (seeing that I've loved almost every Johansson movie there is), but I was rather disappointed with the movie. From the way it begins, up to the end, the movie serves to be no different from any other cliche romantic comedy there is in the market.
Promoted as a movie which will give you enlightenment on L-O-V-E, it only tells us what we already know - ONE SIDED LOVE SUCKS. There is nothing fresh about the script, which resorts cliche voiceovers and comic moments.
All in all, I can't say I hate the movie. It's comfortably watchable, but I didn't come out of the cinema feeling any different from before I stepped in. Safe to say I'm just not that into it.
The focus here is the one simple hard truth that women all around the world can't seem to face - 'He's just not that into you'. Brilliant.
The opening scenes couldn't be expressed any better than it already did, showcasing a variety of excuses women say to their girlfriends to reason out why guys never call back when they said they will. Seemingly comparable to "Love Actually", this serves as an eye opening chick flick for all women (and men) to enjoy as it touches on four issues; 'if she's not sleeping with you', 'if he's not calling you', 'if he's not marrying you' and 'if he's sleeping with someone else', some evidently leading to the movie title as the answer. Every man's actions and words uttered are interpreted to reveal the truth behind their secret meanings.
Throughout the two hours, the pacing of the film never gets dull as it shifts in and out of the different love situations. Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and Neil (Ben Affleck) who have been together for seven years runs into trouble when Neil doesn't seem to want to get married because he doesn't believe in it. Ben (Bradley Cooper) faces difficulty in staying faithful to his wife Janine (Jennifer Connelly). Meanwhile, Conor (Kevin Connelly) continues to be attracted to Anna, who's been stringing him along, and the ultra-paranoid Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) stalks Conor after an ambiguously promising first date. Gigi soon gets a straight-talking relationship lecture from Conor's roomie Alex (Justin Long) that has opened up the truth behind men's actions. And then there's Mary (Drew Barrymore), who is driven crazy by men who always seem to be communicating in another medium. There's a lot of issues going on in this film, trust me.
However, throughout the talks about dating rules and their exceptions, it sends out a main message to not give up hope on love regardless of the failing past relationships. To some, it might serve as a sort of self-empowerment flick or even just a plain comedy to blow off steam. Nonetheless, it'll be an interesting watch to see how these characters end up in the end.
Production Photos - Click thumbnail for larger photos
