Monday, February 16, 2009

He's Just Not That Into You

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**1/2 Stars

He's Just Not That Into You had the potential to explore the interpersonal workings of characters that struggle with the frustration of finding love in an unbiased and nonsexist way. Instead, it forces its male characters into situations that exploits them as helpless bystanders to the inevitable notion of the female. That is, without any apparent question, "Women are always right".

I think I'm a pretty realistic guy. I understand that men, in the world of dating and relationships, can be pretty cruel to women. I understand that this film, based on the book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccilo, uses the female as the sympathetic gender. In some cases, that is very true. However, when making a film with such a huge ensemble cast and every male character either A.) comes to their senses and realizes that every woman they're involved with has been right all along, therefore finally achieving happiness or B.) doesn't come to their senses and realize that every woman they're involved with has been right along, therefore becoming utterly alone, it's kind of obvious that the movie is not sending a mixed message. I can only imagine the even more sexist comments had a woman directed this picture.

What saves the film is the outstanding cast. Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connolly, Justin Long, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connelly, Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, and Ginnifer Goodwin ad wonders to a formulaic script. Out of all those names, Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long steal the show. Their plot line is the sweetest, the funniest, and the most innocent. The rest are rather unpleasant and standard. Relationships are a tricky business, and those involved, especially us guys, apparently have very little say in the maturity of it. But listen up men, make sure you go see this with your woman before she sees it with her friends. Girls? They talk. To each other. A lot...