How Do You Know [2010]

Director James L. Brooks has given some spectacular movies in the past. So if you admire such films as “Terms Of Endearment” and “As Good As It Gets” (both starring legendary actor Jack Nicholson), you’ll know exactly why I felt frustrated after watching “How Do You Know”. It’s pretty clear from the first few scenes that the movie is a complete misfire. I could try to describe the story, but it would be a waste of my time and yours. The only thing you should though is that it stars Reese Witherspoon as a young bright woman who, at a very vulnerable time in her life, can’t decide between two men-a major league baseball star and all-round playboy (Owen Wilson who looks rather bored for once), and a a businessman (Paul Rudd) who is being investigated by the FBI over some kind of fraud. Together they make humiliation, embarassment, and misunderstandings the foundation of a lame comedy. Oh and there’s also a sub-plot involving Rudd’s pregnant assistant Annie (try to find any meaning behind this unnecessary sub-plot).  I think the main problem with the film is that I never felt in any way connected to the characters. I did try to sympathize with Rudd’s situation though, but I couldn’t. Worst of all, the movie literally refused to end (it ran for almost two hours!).

I have nothing but admiration for the four stars. Afterall, Reese Witherspoon is such a good actress and I’ve enjoyed watching her through the years. Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson have both proved to be great comedic actors over the last few years, and Jack Nicholson is well, Jack Nicholson (he has given some of his best performances in James L. Brooks’s movies, yet he’s completely miscast here as Rudd’s unsympathetic, self absorbed father). There’s no doubt in my mind that they all deserve better than this weak romantic comedy.

Rating: 2/4