He's Just Not That Into You 2009

"The Exception, not the rule.." refers to a line repeated throughout the movie but I thought it could also refer to the recent trend of these all-star cast movies not being equal to the sum of their parts. There is a long history of let downs like Dr. T and the Women. Though this movie isn't great, it is at least enjoyable and bucks that trend. It is very slow starting with an awkward attempt to introduce you to the interwoven cast of relationship misfits with very few laughs. But it does improve with Scarlett Johansson turning in one of her better performances. You may not like what she stands for in this movie, but she makes you believe it anyway. As you look at the credits you see a list of names that have starred in many movies but you will be surprised at who "stars" in this movie. It is Ginnifer Goodwin playing Gigi, the hopelessly gullible one-date machine. She is the bright spot in this movie and her scenes with Alex (Justin Long) provide enough spark to keep the flame of the rest of the film burning. I'm not sure if the script was written for her to be the focus or it just developed into that but she was excellent. Look for Kumar as a gay friend of Mary(Drew Barrymore in a just above cameo status appearance) and a nice short performance for Kris Kristofferson. The movie ends with the neat wrap-up for all the characters with a kind of Love Actually feel. Some get what they thought they wanted and others get their freedom, but everyone seems happy. Overall I think this movie lacks an identity, not sure whether it is a comedy, drama, or social commentary as evidenced by the scene where the editor has decided to cut from a heart attack at a wedding reception to a party scene with a cold transition. Just strange editing.

Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) is searching for her true love in the city of Baltimore. As she is set up by friends and co-workers, she often takes a shine to her dates but, frequently, the gentlemen involved never call her again. This could be, in part, because Gigi leaves phone and text messages for her dates to the point of scaring any caring men away. Meanwhile, a married twosome, Ben and Janine (Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Connelly) are restoring a lovely townhouse but having personal problems. This is compounded by the fact that hubby meets a yoga instructor-aspiring singer, Anna (Scarlett Johanssen) at a corner grocery and is smitten. Despite his protestations that he is married, the two meet again. Also in the "raven" city is a longtime-together couple, Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and Neil (Ben Affleck) who are at odds, too, for Beth longs for marriage and Neil, despite his love for his lady, doesn't care for formalities. Finally, bar manager Alex (Justin Long) cynically gives advice to Gigi about men, real estate salesman Conor (Kevin Connolly) pines for Anna and newspaper ad-lady Mary (Drew Barrymore) is trying to make a love connection for herself, too. Will these fine folks get their "hearts desires" when it comes to amour? This is a fine, fine romantic comedy with an edge often missing from the standard fare. Yes, the characters in this film are searching for happily ever after but learn that reality may fall a bit short, sometimes. The ensemble cast is truly wonderful, with all of the actors giving nice turns as the romance seekers. But, then, they all have great lines to deliver, as the script is loaded with truth, laughs, and pathos. One surprise is that the Baltimore setting is absolutely lovely, especially the fine old apartment buildings where the characters dwell and the beautiful coast. Seeing these venues might tempt someone to book their next mini-vacation in this fine old town. However, the costumes are a mixed-bag, with Johannsen appearing gorgeous beyond measure and Goodwin looking fine, too, but J. Connelly sporting clothes that stifle her great beauty. On the other hand, the film's snappy direction and fine production values are assets. The bottom line is that while the film will please romcom enthusiasts it will also entertain those who usually attend movies of this genre with reluctance. Most filmgoers will get "into" this one and take home that feelgood spirit.

He’s just not that into you is a 2009 movie that, in the banality of its plot, brings to light a very common “problem” in female society: why don’t men behave as they should?

The main character of the movie is Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin), a very naive girl who looks for her prince charming but who is constantly disappointed by her dates. Although men spend nice time with her and say they’ll call her, they’ll never do. In her heart she always tries to justify them, sometimes taking upon herself faults that are not hers. But one day, instead of waiting for Connor (Kevin Connolly) to phone her, she takes the situation in hand and goes to look for him in his bar. Here she meets Connor (Kevin Connolly)‘s best friend, Alex (Justin Long) who, taking her situation at heart, explains her the whole truth about men.

If he wants you, he looks for you, and if he doesn’t look for you… then it means he doesn’t want you!

In addition, Gigi (Ginnifer Goodwin) represents the generation that was taught as a child that if a child treats you badly then it means he likes you. That, unfortunately, is a conception carried out over time by a patriarchal society but that no longer adapts to the rediscovered feminist environment. If I had to explain to my daughter why a friend at school mistreated her I would surely answer that he is an idiot and to pay him back with the same coin.
Obviously, the film does not address issues such as the violence against the women and it held, fortunately, his thematics strictly on a more superficial level.

The movie is set in an age in which relationships no longer seem to be a serious thing but only a game in which we chase desperately in order not to be alone. It takes up the vein of Sex and the city, in fact, not surprisingly, it is inspired by the book of the same name written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, former scriptwriters of the series.

The other characters are all couples who have their problems and show different sides of the same coin. The beauty, however, is that they grow, mature and understand that to be happy and have their own happy ending there is no need to be loved but to love yourself.

Janine (Jennifer Connelly) has been married to Ben (Bradley Cooper) for many years but their pair is mismatched. Among her insecurities and fixations and his feeling of being in a cage, they face a series of betrayals, reconciliations and new beginnings. I did not particularly appreciate the acting of these two actors and I find that Bradley Cooper was still very immature. I much prefer it in the recent movie A star is born.

Beth (Jennifer Aniston) lives with Neil (Ben Affleck) but doesn’t feel happy because he doesn’t want to marry her. At the umpteenth refusal of the man, she decides to leave him. Then, finding herself in a moment of difficulty, she realizes how much more he was a husband to her than the spouses of her sisters who, despite having a piece of paper, do not support them. Despite Ben Affleck‘s mono-expressions, I like how his character was painted. And in particular, his change when he realizes that to be happy himself he must make the person next to him happy.

The dialogues between the characters are credible, indeed many things that are said could also be part of a real conversation between two lovers. The soundtrack, however, if it was present I did not notice. There was actually no characteristic song that I could associate with the film to this day.

The strength of this film is to face very common themes in today’s society in which many girls can find themselves (because let’s face it, it is not such an extraordinary or original artistic movie) but its one weakness is the ending. In fact, in order to respect the cliché of the positive conclusion of the romantic comedy, everything that is taught during the course of the movie is subverted, confirming my theory that it is not possible to generalize and make all the grass a bundle.

Or perhaps the happy ending is this: to know that despite the phone calls not received and the broken heart, despite all the foolishness and the badly interpreted signals, despite the crying and the embarrassments, you have never ever lost hope.

[https://mylifejourney.altervista.org/hes-just-not-that-into-you/]