He’s Just Not That Into You
A movie taken from a book taken from an episode of Sex and the City (remember when Burger is talking to Miranda about the guy she’s obsessing about, and he says, “He’s just not that into you”, to which Miranda is greatly relieved, because it means she doesn’t have to obsess and try to figure the guy out anymore) doesn’t seem too promising, does it? And yet, there’s a lot of talent lighting up the screen, and at some level, I found myself wondering why.
I like all of the actors in the movie, but none of them came off very well. The premise that successful, beautiful women have nothing better to do with their time than obsess about men was somewhat exhausting. The premise that men are a bunch of horn-dogs trying to avoid settling down, also somewhat exhausting. It seems to me that in the real world, some people want to settle down, some people don’t. Some people obsess about their love interest, some people don’t. Some people are actually interested in other aspects of their lives. Some people are not.
While these conceits bugged me, I did find myself getting pulled into the stories, and rooting for happy endings for most of the characters. They didn’t all get them, which was OK. I came out of the theater thinking that the movie was worth the price of a matinee, but barely, and much of that is based on my love for movie theater popcorn.
My favorite character, though at the same time the most pathetic, was Ginnifer Goodwin as Gigi, a woman so desperately looking for love that she scares any man who might possibly be interested away, and cannot figure out why they’re not calling her. Goodwin has such a cute, bubbly personality, that even when she makes you cringe with her desperate measures, you’re rooting for her.
6 Comments
Cherry
I’ve heard good and so-so reviews.
I’ll still probably see it. Sorry I couldn’t go with you. A lunch of theater popcorn would have been perfect!
C @ www.lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com
I really wanted to see this movie…as well as Shopaholic! Too bad the nearest movie theater to the Island is 2 hrs away! Guess I’ll have to make a day trip and pray that Little One enjoys being at the movies!
Autumn's Mom
I’m definitely going to Netflix this one when it comes out. I like all these actors too..It’s a shame when you get some talent together and the writing/directing/producing doesn’t make them shine.
Starshine
I liked Goodwin’s character, too. I also liked Jennifer Connelly’s.
I thought the film did a good job portraying how an affair can start…little compromises of character adding up to a slippery slope.
amuirin
When my friend went on and on about this book, I felt a little resentful toward the book. I’m not sure why, but you sort of encapsulated it in your post. The premise sort of offends me. Maybe there is solid advice in there, but I’d rather hear it from my mom then some book that arches its brows loftily and tells me what a fool I’ve been.
Y’know?
lalunas
I guess this one would be good to see on DVD. Because compared to what is on TV this movie might be a little better.