Review: He's Just Not That Into You

[Editor's note] If you're looking to blow $10 on quality entertainment, avoid seeing He's Just Not That Into You. In what I can only describe as a train wreck of cinematic proportions, this film was in the toilet twenty minutes in.

Having read parts of the book and having enjoyed the Greg Behrendt Show, I had high hopes for an insightful film version of the franchise. Added to this, a great cast that included Drew Barrymore (love!), Bradley Cooper (hawt!), and Scarlett Johansson (enjoy!) who I felt had the potentional of making it a wickedly funny film about the ins and outs of modern-day relationships.

However, the reality was neither insighful nor funny. This film propogated every annoying and offensive stereotype known to womankind. From the desperate single white female (Ginnifer Goodwin) to the frigid cheated-on wife (Connelly), it never expanded beyond these one-dimensional characterizations. By movies end, one is left wondering where the character development went. There was no ah-ha moment. There was no heart, no sympathy for the hurt or scorned, no apparent evidence of newfound dignity or self-worth. Nobody learned anything, least of all the audience.

The one redeeming part of this film was Jennifer Aniston. Having been the only rational, mature, and grounded lead, her storyline provided a breath of fresh air whenever it came to the fore. She gave the character a dark sense of humor and a devotion to family that was endearing. Moreover, the problems she and boyfriend Ben Affleck faced seemed genuine and heart-felt. Their chemistry was stellar and I don't have to tell you how beautiful they look together. All that said, they weren't enough to save this one.

I was just not into this movie. In fact, I hated this movie.