Like many husbands and boyfriends and just guys who know women and want to get in their pants I was dragged to this movie on Friday night. I was expecting the same old romantic comedy stuff that follows the old Hollywood formula where the couple meets under bad circumstances and they dont like eachother. Then through some odd occurance they realize that what they were looking for was the person that was right in front of their eyes. Now dont get me wrong that does happen in this movie, several times, but the way it happens is what makes this movie a step above the others.
For starters it is hard to say who the star is in this ensemble story. Ginnifer Goodwin is the Stand Out however as Gigi. A young woman who is desperate for love. I mean Desperate. The type of girl that every guy watching the movie feels guilty watching because you know that you did horrible things to girls just like her in the past. Justin Long is also great as Alex the straight Shooting guy who feels sorry for Gigi and helps her find love by pointing out which guys are into her and which guys are just blowing her off. That is story 1.
Brad Cooper plays a married guy who is happy in his marriage or is he to Jeanine played by Jennifer Connely who is great as the overly particular wife who loves her husband. Enter Scarlet Johanson who looks phenomenol as the hot young yoga instructor/singer that throws herself at the married guy. Meanwhile the guy who's head she messes with is a realtor played by Kevin Connoly who also just happens to have gone on a date with Gigi. He also buys alternative newspaper advertising from mary played by Drew Barrymore who just so happens to be friends with Scarlett Johansons character. The realtor by the way also sold a house to the husband and wife and is friends with Alex the justin long character.
Are you seeing how the movie all comes together yet?
The husband is best friends with Ben Affleck who lives with Jennifer Aniston who by the way works with both Gigi and Jeanine....
Now if you can keep up with that... on to my thoughts
Jennifer Aniston and Ben Affleck make up a pretty likeable couple that somehow convince themselves that something is wrong. This is actually a good job acting from Aniston because she recently played a character in the Break Up that she could have easily morphed this one into if she didnt take control of this role and differentiate it. Although a supporting role Aniston pulled it off and makes this role stand on its own. Ben Affleck is probably the Big name who has the smallest role in the movie but just nails it. Even though it would have been nice to see a little more where his characters motivation was from.
Brad Cooper is great and he captures a realistic character that makes you wonder where hes coming from with every close up.
Scarlett Johanson is also very good. however I think the movie would have helped itself by revealing the true natures of these characters a little earlier.
Jennifer Connely should have been on the screen more. She has one scene where she gets to let go and I wish we could have seen more of it. By the way she plays desperation great and scenes in a Home Depot and in her husbands office make her stand out to me.
Drew Barrymore's role could have been played by anyone. Seriously, anyone. However I do appreciate her doing such a blah role.
Justin Long proves he's more than the smartass sidekick of mac pitch guy. He actually shows a little depth. A little.
Kevin Connoly does aan okay job but its hard to watch him and not think that Vince, Drama, and Turtle are waiting for him at home.
Overall the movie is funny, somewhat realistic and not a waste of time and although its long you can still tell that there was a lot of it that was left on the cutting room floor. I did wonder if this wouldnt have best been an 8 part HBO series.
With that being said... GO SEE IT.
That's right a reccomendation for a chick Flick.
Gets a solid 6.8 out of 10 from me but guys trust me youre wife, girlfriend, or girl whose pants youre trying to get into will love it.
REVIEW BY RAY LYTLE
March 6th: 
