ENGLISH - (18PL) - 09 April 2009 - Comedy/RomanceDistributor: New Line Cinema
Running time: about 120 mins.
Director: Ken Kwapis
Producers: Drew Barrymore, Nancy Juvonen
Writers: Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo, Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein
Casts: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kevin Connolly, Bradley Cooper
Plot: 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.
THE VERDICT:
Green Tea says:
WARNING SPOILER! Based on a popular self-empowerment book, this story stands out as its own, probably in the same value of empowerment as the past "Love Actually" had done to the cinematic audiences. "Love Actually" placed a bar of standard on how a cross-over romantic plots can be intervene into a lovable story. However, the movie did not really reached that standard but somehow it continues to ring the same questions about romance.
The story tells from a four different scenarios, four different sets of casts and four questions of life.
Question #1: "If he's not calling you", from the points of Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) whom have troubles interpreting the signs that men give her about their level of interest in her and began getting dating advice from the Alex (Justin Long). Question #2: "If he's not marrying you", focus on Beth (Jennifer Aniston) whom has been living with her boyfriend Neil (Ben Affleck) for 7 years but he is not ready to commit their relationship into marriage because he does not believe in it.
Question #3: "If she's not sleeping with you", tells the story of Conor (Kevin Connelly) and his pursue for a relationship with Anna (Scarlett Johansson). Question #4: "If he's sleeping with someone else", narrates the trouble marriage between Janine (Jennifer Connelly) and Ben (Bradley Cooper).
These four stories uniquely cross on each other to create some sort of romantic challenges in life. However, the pace is a bit draggy despite a good storytelling. Clocking 2 hours proved to be a bit slow but nevertheless, not in any dull mood. The dialogues are meaningful and contains a clear message that deals around the relationship for every man and woman has to face.
With great essemble of casts, how can you not recognize each and any face on it. The names like Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Connelly, as well as Ginnifer Goodwin spark some interest and curiosity. Their performance particularly Affleck, Aniston, Goodwill, and Connelly were even heavily praised by the movie critics. I do agree, their performances were so stand out and it affects the story so much.
Despite the genre been a comedy, I failed to notice and entice any humour on it. It is just a plain comedy that deals too much about self empowerment and focusing a lot on the serious matter. Generally, I would recommend this if you think your relationship life is not that meaningful for you. Perhaps you may get inspired by it.THE RATINGS.....
CAST - 4.0 stars
STORY - 3.5 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars
EFFECTS - 3.5 stars
an overall>> 3.5 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 14.6
CAST - 4.0 stars
STORY - 3.5 stars
CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars
EFFECTS - 3.5 stars
an overall>> 3.5 stars
GreenTea-O-Meter: 14.6