Amazon Holiday

Friday, February 6, 2009

He's Just Not That Into You

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: Dating sucks, and the long term relationships that it leads to are even worse.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Ginnifer Goodwin, Justin Long, Bradley Cooper, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Connolly, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Connelly, Busy Philipps, Drew Barrymore, Sasha Alexander, Brooke Bloom, Hedy Burress, Wilson Cruz, Kris Kristofferson

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: PhotobucketProceed with Caution. This movie is cute in exactly the way you'd expect it to be, but it's not particularly romantic. Probably because it attempts to uncover the realities of dating, rather than rehash the usual romantic movie fantasies that we all know and love, which ultimately, are the culprits in creating our misguided dreams of fairy-tale romance. You know, the ones that lead us to being constantly disappointed in real life.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: It's got enough laughs to not be a disgrace to its genre, like some of the movies that call themselves romantic-"Comedies."

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: It could be a bit of an embarrassment to its genre, after all. It is supposed to be a "Romantic"-comedy.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Best Film based on a book that's based on an episode of a TV show. The competition was nobody.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Of the entire ensemble, nobody really stands out or stretches outside of their comfort zone. But Ginnifer Goodwin, the least famous of the bunch, is actually the star of the film both in screen time and in her ability to be complex, quirky, and interesting.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Interchangeable, inoffensive and unremarkable. The simple shots and standard coverage will play very well on the small screen. Which is a very good thing, since this film will likely do most of its business on DVD.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Ensemble movies are tough, but the writers do succeed at keeping all the stories compelling and interconnected-- in some cases a little too conveniently. The tone is consistently light-hearted, even when certain people's words (the men's) are harsh. And even some of the saddest moments get laughs. But when you're trying to expose the realities of dating, happy endings are both hard to come by and hard to buy.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: If they were going to have an all white cast, why did they place the movie in Baltimore, Maryland, which is 80% Black? They really could have told this story anywhere... Or cast a few Black people. Take your pick.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/hes-just-not-that-into-you/29704/trailers

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that the movie tells more of the tale of dating mistakes and the necessity of persistence to avoid a life of solitude. All the pitfalls and triumphs in the movie were lessons in choices, whether they be fateful, forced or fagula. The singles in the movie seem to never give up and it is definitely driven by peer and familiar pressures in life. The humor in the movie paralelled the confusion found in the movie Waiting yet under much more mature circumstances. Justin Long has graduated from the driven waiter to the experienced manager and Luis Guzman is no longer the genital flashing chef but the small part of the remodelling contractor that has a pivitol moment in the movie where everything turns upside down. The irony that Barrymore is surrounded by gay buddies that push her into the meterosexual character of Entourage's Kevin Connolly is only a matter of art imitating life as she flutters around Hollywood for her next beau, still not over her true life romance with Justin Long who dry humps MAC lovers over PC users.

In the end the true love story goes to Ben and Jen who show a wedding and funeral side to life. This long term relationship is mirrored by the bizarre love triangle formed with local gym yoga class fantasies played out by Scarlett Johanson who seems to be Hollywood's favorite home wrecker reaching back to the Dark Ages. Touching on Daddy issues, proper diet and cigarette smoking, this portion of the love story shows the anal and fun sides of personalities that make couples work, and points out why three is a crowd.

Summing things up, this movie is great for February box offices. Great for the weekend getaway with buddies or girls to see in a group and also a great date movie. The hecklers can pick it to pieces for it's unrealistic sides, I mean how many Afflec type sailor men are in Baltimore and what kind of yoga instructor is lacking self like Scarlett. A date might find some solace in not giving up or using some of the excuses in their dating world. I wouldn't nominate any of these actors for any rewards, but for this generation and the Class of 2009, this movie will be the one watched over and over for subtle hints, soft porn and great one liners, ensuring a long shelf life for DVD weekends just because it is fun.

Monique said...

Thanks for the in depth analysis. There are definitely lessons to be had from this movie. So it's probably useful viewing for women, despite the fact that they are lessons that many of us would rather not learn...

And I'm always glad to see a male viewer so enthusiastic over what some might write off as a "chick flick." Thanks for caring.