Are you the exception ... or the rule? (He's Just Not That Into You (DVD))

Member Name: aylawarner

Product:	He's Just Not That Into You (DVD)
Date:	07/07/09 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A very realistic romance film, gives great tips, brilliant casting

Disadvantages: Not much comedy at all, long film

He's Just Not That Into You is a film based around a group of men and women, all who are either looking for that special someone or are trying to make things work with that special someone.

Mary is searching for a man online but all these modern technologies prove to be a pain. What happened to the simple old fashioned telephone call?

Mary's friend, Gigi, is looking for her prince charming, believing that Mr Perfect does exist somewhere out there. After an unsuccessful date with Connor, she meets his friend Alex, who gives her a reality check and teaches her the true ways of what a man thinks about love and sex and how to tell if he really is into you.

Connor is actually in love with the beautiful Anna but Anna is lusting after the married Ben who she met in a supermarket checkout line. Ben can't keep his hands off Anna, even though he loves his wife, Janine, very much.

Ben's best friend, Neil, has been with Beth for seven years. But, with no engagement ring in sight, Beth decides it's time to give up on the relationship.

~ Cast ~
Mary - Drew Barrymore
Gigi - Ginnifer Goodwin
Conor - Kevin Connolly
Alex - Justin Long
Anna - Scarlett Johansson
Ben - Bradley Cooper
Janine - Jennifer Connelly
Neil - Ben Affleck
Beth - Jennifer Aniston

I found this more of a pure romance film rather than comedy as there really wasn't that much comedy in it at all. The issues raised in the film were very realistic in the world of love and romance and some of these issues could really hit home with some viewers who are in similar situations. Affairs, betrayal, internet dating, relationships going nowhere, and waiting for a phone call are just some of the issues brought up which both sexes have to deal with in today's world. If you're in any sort of situation which could be raised in this film I really wouldn't recommend seeing it with your partner as it could become quite awkward and embarrassing! A couple of my friends are in a similar situation to that of Neil and Beth - they have been together for almost ten years and still there is no sign of an engagement ring. When I saw this film, I could only imagine that, if they watched this similar relationship problem on screen, how unbelievably truthful and shocking that could have been to them.

Of the few comical parts there were in the film, these were more the case of being funny because of how true they were and because most of us could probably relate to it in one way or another. One of the funniest parts had to be with Drew Barrymore's character, Mary, who was trying, unsuccessfully, to find a man through internet dating. The film was also made more realistic by individual people being interviewed about their own love lives and most of them having comical things to say about something that had happened to them.

With a huge cast full of well-known actors, this film was bound to be a hit. Every single character was brilliant and they all played their roles extremely well.

Although many people have probably said the phrase 'I just wasn't into it' and have given it negative reviews, I think this is purely because of the fact that it is less comedy and more realistic romance. I suppose maybe if you're in a happy relationship or have no love troubles then you'll probably enjoy the film, but otherwise it could really hit home with some of the issues. This probably also makes it more of a girly film although, if I remember rightly, I think my husband quite enjoyed it apart from it being quite a long film. The film is also absolutely brilliant for giving relationship advice and advice in how to catch a guy so this would be a great watch to pick up some tips.

Overall, I enjoyed the film because it was so truthful and real-to-life, but if you watch it thinking you're going to get lots of laughs, you'll be sorely disappointed.

Running time: 129 minutes
Certificate rating: 12
Director: Ken Kwapis (About a Boy)

Summary: Based on the bestselling book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo