A bit of a spoiler alert!
I had high hopes for this movie and am pleased that it met my expectations. It’s amusing and while lighthearted, it still addresses the weighty issues at hand. I found myself rooting for certain characters and against others, which is what i want to be doing in a character-based movie. The A-List ensemble did well to make me believe what i think they wanted me to believe about them.
For example, I was convinced that even though Bradley Cooper looks amazing in either a tailored suit or raggedy gym clothes, he’s still a self-justifying jerk. I was convinced that Ben Affleck is still likable despite his personal beliefs on marriage, which have no basis (not enough time in the movie to develop this). I was convinced that Scarlett Johansson is naive and for all intents and purposes, a skank; Jennifer Connelly is uptight and insecure but finds her resolve in the end; Ginnifer Goodwin is overeager but still adorable and we are happy for her (maybe because she represents the audience the most even if we don’t want to admit it); Drew Barrymore is whimsical and aloof, about as much as you can do with such a periphery character; Kevin Connolly is the average upper-middle class Joe who tries too hard; and Justin Long is the proverbial narrating voice who arguably ends up learning the most.
Yes, some would say that it wraps up all too conveniently in the end but with so many storylines and already being 2+ hours, i am happy with it. And hey, you might learn something.
And for the guys out there, this clip is especially for you! It’s on the movie’s website and it’s very funny! Here are “10 Chick Flick Cliches You Won’t Find in He’s Just Not That Into You.”
Perhaps you noticed that i missed Jennifer Aniston in my list up there.. it’s cos the only thing i want to say about Jennifer Aniston is that she is hot as ever! (And, watching her in this film made me root for her in real life, too!)
2 Comments
Saw it last night…and didn’t think that much of it.
At first I was like, wow this is a marriage bashing movie, but then in the end it wasn’t.
I like the actors, but felt that half the movie was pretty hypocritical. Maybe they just did have enough time to develop some of the relationships.
Also, I feel like the GG girl was wayyyy to desperate and in reality that guy would not just turn around and be in love with her. Seemed to far fetched for me.
Also in reality, if a guy lives with someone 7 years and is so against marriage that he moves out and breaks up over it, I am not so sure he would just turn around and propose. Maybe in the movies, but not in real life my friend. I doubt it. Call me synical if you want to!
thanks for your thoughts, mindy!
i think GG is purposely an exaggerated character.. where she is still likable because people can identify with aspects of her character and actions and desires. i like that she’s exaggerated because in the midst of people’s reaction, “Why is she so desperate?” they (hopefully) realize some of the illogical thought processes they themselves have in the realm of relationship dynamics.
and i agree that it’s too convenient that Justin Long ends up wanting to be with her and that Ben Affleck turns around to propose after being so adamantly opposed to marriage.. but alas, it’s still a movie..
i think the movie was successful in putting storylines together for the sake of getting the principles of the book across in an entertaining way to the audience. (not that i would agree with all the principles but that’s for another time.) the fact that it all works out in the end is indicative of it being, yes, just another movie.
… what did tom think of it? hhaaa