A Rom-Com With Slightly More Aplomb (He's Just Not That Into You (Blu-ray))

Member Name: samueltyler

Product:	He's Just Not That Into You (Blu-ray)
Date:	07/09/09 (50 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some interesting dramatic sub plots, funny in places

Disadvantages: A bit of a downer for relationships

List of things I do not like doing:
1. Picking up hedge clippings
2. Cleaning the toilet
3. Being forced to stay out too late at a rubbish party
4. Watching Romantic Comedies.
No man in his right mind would ever wish to watch a romantic comedy; expect for one reason - most men like women. This works twofold; the film may contain an actress who is attractive, or you may wish to become more popular with your partner. In some rare occurrences both factors will occur and if you are lucky the film might actually be half decent. Scarlett Johansson - check. Happy girlfriend - check. Decent film - ????!

Shot in a pseudo documentary style in places and traditional Rom Com in others, 'He's Just Not That Into You' is an ensemble piece about love in the 00s amongst a group of 20/30 somethings. There are several interweaving storylines that reflect on modern traumas such as the long term couple who have yet to marry, the newlyweds with a wandering eye and the desperate singleton. 'Into You' follows these various characters over a few weeks and discovers passion, betrayal, new love and new hate.

I am not a huge fan of the romantic comedy genre. I don't mind the decent ones, but too many follow the same formula and try and push a false sense of love onto people. As a bloke I have to sit through a film like this and explain why I am not as romantic or funny as the male lead. Try to tell your partner that this is fantasy character derived from the money men in Hollywood does not go down well! Throw into the mix a story about a long term couple still not married (I'm at 8 years and counting) and I was in for an uncomfortable 2 hours viewing. With this in mind, 'Into You' did an impressive job to still entertain me.

This is a romantic comedy with a slight edge, but still has its heart firmly in the rose tinted spectrum of Hollywood love. The various storylines mean that if you dislike one of them you only have to wait a short time until another pops up. This is a double edged sword though as some of the stories could have been expanded effectively. Personally, I liked the story about singleton Gigi best and her relationship with strict bachelor Alex. Arguably, this is the most traditional of the tales, and this is perhaps why it works. Actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long do a good job and are pretty charming.

The other stories deal with darker issues and make the film appeal to a more mature audience similar to 'Trust the Man'. Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck appear as a couple where he does not want to wed and she has had enough. This is perhaps the most true to life portrayal of love and for that reason is strongest in terms of drama. Finally the story of affairs etc. is the weakest because the characters are not very likable. The man is a cheat, the wife a wimp, the lover is stupid and the final hanger on a chump. It was this story that I found the weakest by far and made the film a bit of a chore to watch at times.

A large part of the enjoyment of a film like this comes from the quality of the acting. Can the actors engage you quickly so that their part of the film works? Goodwin and Long are very engaging and make full use of their time, whilst Affleck and Aniston are passable, if a little dry. It is the misfiring third element that is populated with poorer actors. Johansson has little to do with a weak character and Bradley Cooper is reasonable as a sleaze. It is Jennifer Connelly who is perhaps the worst. How she won an Oscar I do not know, she has about as much charisma as a redundant 100 Watt bulb.

The idea of having several interweaving storylines is not a new one but director Ken Kwapis does a decent attempt at the format. Intercutting scene changes are 'documentary' elements with 'real' people's views on love. These segments may appeal to the 'Sex and the City' crowd, I found them a little jarring. In terms of direction the film is pretty static as you would expect from the genre. For this reason the film does not really benefit from being seen on BluRay and could be just as good on a DVD.

'He's Just Not That Into You' worked for me because it had its dark elements. Yes, it was a romantic comedy in that it had jokes and romance. However, it also touched on some tough issues that could leave couples feeling a little uncomfortable and questioning their own relationship - are they cheating, does he really want to be with me? This may in turn cool the ambience in the room, but in terms of pure entertainment it makes the film better than just another rom com.


Director: Ken Kwapis
Year: 2009
Cert: 15
Starring: Ensemble
Price: Amazon uk £13.98 (BluRay)


Extras

The BluRay extras I imagine are no different from the DVD as there are no attempts to make use of enhancements that the format provides. The fake documentary elements that interview the characters after the film has finished are interesting, if a little surreal.

Summary: Decent romantic comedy with an edge