“What if you have met the woman of your life but you are married to someone else?” This quotation is a good example of the mood that encompasses the whole film of “He’s Just Not That Into You.” It’s a big-budget Hollywood soap opera. That being said the film is not a complete failure. Although mediocre throughout the film does have some highlights of good acting and thematic depth that almost makes it a worthwhile flick.
Directed by Ken Kwapis (“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants”) and based on the popular book the film centers around multiple characters all dealing with complications in their love life. This film is a romantic version of “Crash in which all the characters’ lives are interrelated in some way, creating a network of friends and acquaintances who all try to be happy while finding the perfect one.”
With an all-star cast including Scarlett Johansson Jennifer Connelly Jenifer Aniston Ben Affleck and Drew Barrymore the film could should be a lot better. The actors perhaps due to the directing or screen writing did not reach their full potential.One of the subplots focuses on Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) who is a clingy insecure woman who obsessively seeks out the perfect guy and is unaware or at least in denial of the brutish nature of the average man. Always thinking that the guy she met the night before is going to call her she continuously waits by her phone in hopeful anticipation. She later meets Alex (Justin Long) who befriends her and tells her the harsh and honest truth of her situation – that if the guy doesn’t call you he doesn’t want to see you. It’s that simple he says. It’s common sense but a concept that Gigi does not seem to comprehend. This plot sequence was probably the most interesting due to the memorable overly-earnest and yet charming character of Gigi who just wants to find that special guy.
Another plot sequence follows the character of Ben (Bradley Cooper) who is married to Jenine (Jennifer Connelly). One day he meets a beautiful lady named Anna (Scarlet Johansson) who continually tries to seduce him throughout the film. Although resisting her at first due to the loyalty to his wife he eventually gives in and has an affair with her.
There are multiple different plot sequences all dealing with these types of dilemmas. Although mildly amusing the film fails in most of its comedic endeavors. It is sporadically funny but it does not quite succeed with romantic humor.
Furthermore multiple nonsensical and random scenes take away from the potential of the movie. One scene in particular dealing with another of Anna’s relationships leads her to try a relationship with Connor (Kevin Connolly). The audience finds out a few scenes later that she doesn’t want any relationship with him at all. These types of fickle and irrational actions define the film and love itself.
Many of the actors perform actions without any apparent motivations. Ben after deciding to return to his wife goes to see Anna shortly afterwards obviously interested in her. Although these contradictions of motives and nonsensical scenes do reflect the reality of love they are annoying.
The film does succeed in some dramatic performances with exceptional acting by Jennifer Connelly specifically. In one emotionally poignant scene for example Ben admits to Jenine that he cheated on her. Her response and the fall out of Ben’s betrayal are convincing and well-crafted.
In some scenes the movie is both charming and sweet and in the end it is a decent romantic flick. However I would not spend $11 to see it when there are multiple other Oscar-nominated films in theaters now. “He’s Just Not That Into You” is the type of mediocre slightly charming film better viewed at home on the couch … with someone who is actually into you.
