He's Just Not That Into You

Synopsis

He’s Just Not That Into You  is a romantic comedy based on Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo’s self-help book of the same name. It chronicles the lives of several twenty and thirty-somethings who are each in relationships where one is more into the other person. From dating singles to the married couples, they all just try to understand the opposite sex.

Review

I felt like I was on a dag on merry-go-round with this movie. He’s Just Not That Into You had me spinning around and around in circles after going back and forth and around with all of the many characters. I’ve always liked ensemble casts, but some of these people were boneheads, especially the main character GiGi (Ginnifer Goodwin, HBO’s Big Love). I’m not quite sure what word to use for her except... twit. She drove me absolutely insane. Yeah, she was nice and all, but borderline stalkerish and I had to literally put my head down because it was hard to watch how embarrassing she was. Poor thing had no clue how to date or read men. She needed a children’s book on the topic or something.

He’s Just Not That Into You spawned from one little line in HBO’s Sex and the City series. And I tell you, at that split second, that statement “He’s just not that into you” was one of the most profound statements I heard up until that very moment. Uh, when Brotha Man didn’t call me back and stood me up, I wish my dumb butt knew at that young fickled age that Brotha Man wasn’t into me. Knowing this one true statement would have saved me a lot of time and wondering “Why isn’t he calling me?” Uhhh duhhh, Marla… he doesn’t want to.

Anyhoo, He’s Just Not tells the story of a group of twenty and thirty-somethings who are struggling with dating, relationships, and married life. They all try to navigate and read the signs and understand the mind and emotions of the opposite sex.

I just need to introduce the crew and you’ll understand.

Ben (Bradley Cooper, Yes Man) is married to Janine (Jennifer Connelly, The Day the Earth Stood Still) and is feeling sexy yoga instructor Anna (Scarlett Johansson, Vicky Cristina Barcelona). And Anna pals around with lovesick Conor (Kevin Connolly, HBO’s Entourage) who desperately wants to be her man instead of the good old standby. Oh, but she really wishes he was her hot married Ben. Mary (Drew Barrymore, Beverly Hills Chihuahua) is all up in cyberspace looking for love and just doesn’t know how to connect live with a man other then her gay supportive ones. Beth (Jennifer Aniston, Marley & Me) and Neil (Ben Affleck, Smokin’ Aces) are a great couple who have spent the last 7 years of their lives happily unmarried, but Beth wants Neil to take the relationship to the next level – jumping the broom -- and home dude isn’t feeling it. And, back to Gigi, she was taught at a very young age that if a boy calls you names and picks on you, he really likes you. Mmm. That was some bad advice her mother gave her because that bit of info stuck to her like glue.

He’s Just Not was better than I thought it would be. I didn’t have very high hopes for it, which probably made me enjoy it better. The cast had some big names in it and they all found their own little home in the movie. They meshed well together and this film actually was able to achieve tying in the characters and their lives without it seeming forced or jive. Each scene was important because each character needed screen time to tell their story. And even though this title seems like it’s a chickidy flick, the first word definitely can change to "she’s" because not every girl you want... man... is going to want you. You’ll know if she’s into you. At least I hope you will.

Many of things that went on in the film is true and can happen so, I could relate to some of them and I know a lot of others will too. There are so many different rules to the game of relationships, you have to keep up even though I’m sure some just wish it would all come together on its own. Why can’t the one you like, like you as much? Why can’t the one you're crazy about be crazy about you? So many questions, but just know, if he or she doesn’t call you back or want to spend time with you, he or she just really doesn’t give a smurf about you. Yes, so sad, but so true.

 

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)