Rare is the romantic comedy that is awkward, embarrassing and sometimes excruciatingly painful to watch. “He’s Just Not That Into You” is one such film. Based on the bestseller by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, “He’s Just Not That Into You” follows a motley crew of 20- and 30-somethings through the trials of marriage and relationships — or lack thereof. There are no designer frocks, shopping addictions or blowout weddings, and no one really wears pink. The film is also set in Baltimore, often giving it an urban, industrial vibe. In a genre of fluff, “He’s Just Not That Into You” is just a little less cheesy.
The basic premise of the film is simple: If he’s not calling you, if he’s not marrying you, he’s just not that into you. If he’s not sleeping with you, or if he’s sleeping with someone else, he’s really not into you. Women have long been making excuses for the bad boys, justifying their abhorrent behavior because we are too afraid to admit the truth: He is not interested. Stop making excuses. You are the rule, not the exception. Harsh, but strangely refreshing. Kind of like the film itself.
The film does not have a particularly cohesive plot. Instead, it is comprised of a series of romantic mishaps through which some of the characters just happen to bump into each other.
The film’s greatest strength may be its cast. “He’s Just Not That Into You” stars, among others, Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck as the committed, unmarried couple who can’t decide whether or not to take the plunge; Jennifer Connelly and Bradley Cooper as Janine and Ben, the college sweethearts who just cannot make their marriage work; Scarlett Johansson as Anna, the sexy, homwrecking yoga instructor searching for something different; Ginnifer Goodwin as Gigi, who, of course, cannot find love until she loves herself and stops waiting by the phone; and Justin Long as Alex, the ultimate bad boy who treats women like disposible objects and also serves as the film’s voice of reason.
Many of these cast members are getting a little too old to play believable roles in romantic comedies, but Goodwin is particularly funny. Drew Barrymore’s character Mary also stands out for her routine of meeting men on the Internet and has to be convinced that having coffee via webcam does not suffice as a date. We know these women are crazy, but we just feel bad for them anyway.
“He’s Just Not That Into You” is also peppered with poignant one-liners, including this gem: “If a guy doesn’t call me, I would like to reserve the right to call him at 15-minute intervals until he picks up!”, which made several shellshocked boyfriends in the audience hold their breath. Much of the film’s humor lies in its blundering characters and uncomfortable situations; several scenes are almost unbearable to watch, and, dare I say, unpredictable. Not every character gets a happy ending.
However, like the relationships it portrays, “He’s Just Not That Into You” is far from perfect. It lasts about 30 minutes too long, and several scenes are forced and unnecessary.
In addition, with so many different plotlines to follow, the film loses any real potential for character development. I would have liked to know more about the characters, but there were just too many of them. No one really seems to have actual jobs, hobbies, friends or interests outside of dating. And it has to be said: Only the women in this film are portrayed as the total wackjobs. Many of them are compulsive, delusional and completely incapable of holding down a stable relationship until the last five minutes of the film. But, then again, maybe it is too much to expect multi-dimensional characters with lives outside of dating and marriage.
In the end, “He’s Just Not That Into You” does manage to avoid the pitfalls of a typical romantic comedy, but it is not the exception to the rule.
3 stars out of 5.
