Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You (Vox Magazine)

Movie Review: He's Just Not That Into You

By Lauren Zima

If films were potential partners, Breakfast at Tiffany's would be a soul mate. He's Just Not That Into You? An immature relationship between 20-somethings. It's not perfect, but it’s emotional, relatable and a learning experience.

Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) spends her life, from work to yoga class, obsessing over whether a guy she met during happy hour the night before will call. Goodwin skillfully makes Gigi so hopeful and naïve that, as she gets turned down, the audience cringes in discomfort.

Women will find this offensive. Gigi is unbelievably unaware when it comes to dating practices, and she bases her entire life around men. She’s hardly an admirable leading lady.

It’s the side stories that make He’s Just Not That Into You worthwhile. Anna (Scarlett Johansson) goes to Conor (Kevin Connolly) for self-esteem boosts but nothing more. Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and Neil (Ben Affleck) have been dating for years. She wants to get married, he doesn’t. Audience members are sure to see themselves or past, perhaps even present, partners in these characters. Their motivations are real, and they evoke real emotion.

As people in relationships do, He’s Just Not That Into You makes a few mistakes. Testimonials from random characters are interspersed throughout the film. Some are funny, but Sex and the City (He’s Just Not That Into You is based on a line of the same wording from the show) dropped this practice early on and the film should have done the same. Other A-list cast members are underused; Drew Barrymore is given little to work with. Gay characters in the film are hardly more than stereotypes.

Still, the movie will make audiences laugh, cry and think. It’s good for a girls’ night out, but ladies, if you don’t want your boyfriend to see a Gigi in you, leave him at home.

Vox Rating: VVVV (out of five)

Originally published February 5th, 2009

Photo from New Line Cinema