I had no idea that He's Just Not That Into You was based on a book, much less a self-help book. This fact helps explain the slightly disjointed feel of the movie, and the way everything fits together just so. Before I get too far down this rabbit hole, I must admit to liking the movie. Yes, I enjoyed a film that falls under the banner of romantic comedy. No, there is nothing wrong with that, and I will not apologize for enjoying something the stereotypes say I shouldn't. Still, the movie does play out a little like Dating for Dummies. It is the sort of movie that is only a movie due to its length, if you tried to stage a movie on any one or two of its component parts and you would end up with a pretty short film.
By all rights, I don't think I should like the movie. There is something rather pedestrian about the film. The screenplay goes around in circles as it spouts supposed truisms about relationships that amount to little more than common sense that the female characters of the piece dutifully charge out to test on prospective mates, or on their current beaus as the case may be. In any case it is a movie that succeeds not on the strength of its screenplay, but on the performances of its cast and its ability to piece together compelling stories that link together like a jigsaw puzzle.
One story follows Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwinn), a naive but good-hearted single woman, and her quest to find a man interested in her. This leads her to Alex (Justin Long), a bartender gifted with the ability to observe and interpret the behavior of men, knowledge that he delivers in bite-sized attitude last sound bites while he also sizes up her potential. This is the story I enjoyed the most, likely do to the infectious enthusiasm that Goodwinn brings to the screen combined with Justin Long being a funny guy.
Next up is the story of Janine (Jennifer Connelly) and her husband Ben (Bradley Cooper). She is a rather high strung woman who does not recognize the strain her actions are putting on her marriage, although when she is at work, she seems to be a different woman. Anyway, her coldness is pushing Ben towards closer to the brink of cheating when he becomes enamored with Anna (Scarlett Johansson).
Article comments
1 - Joe Barry
I cannot just say that its a good movie neither say that its a bad one!.The selection of actors was good.But I felt as if the storyline was a bit complicated (and boring too).I felt like I am watching an episode of FRIENDS.My average rating would be 6/10.Overall its an average movie which MAY BE WATCHED but its not so entertaining