Having attended an all girl's school where much - if not all - of lunchtime discussions were dedicated not to politics and world events, boys, much of the conversations between women in the new film He's Just Not That Into You (released on Feb. 12) sounded familiar to me. Yes, I realise that that was designed to do exactly that - to ignite a chorus of familiar "I know someone JUST like that!"s in audiences, but the film did exceed my expectations. Not because of the harsh truth that maybe he's just not that into you, but because the relationships depicted were not surreal or fabricated as per your typical cliched chick flick - they were so very familiar, so very true and so very, very real.
Based on the non-fiction novel written by former Sex and the City writers Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo, the film was destined to be just as successful as its source of inspiration, hence its brilliant ensemble cast. You would think that a theory that points out our shortcomings when it comes to flourishing relationships would be offensive and even depressing to audiences but it's simply not the case. So very skilfully adapted from the Self-Help book, the text is translated brilliantly in this two hour and nine minute rom-com which is no less than a delightfully addictive mix of personalities, situations and relationship woes.
Firstly, there's GiGi (Ginnifer Goodwin)- the typical desperate single girl, clumsily looking for love yet failing miserably due to her obsessive ways. She is the girl we all harbour inside of us, the one that waits by the phone, pounces on any single man that comes her way, painfully unaware of the truth behind the confusing male signs and their conflicting meanings - they're just not that into her. Then one fateful night she meets Alex (Justin Long) at a bar who enlightens her about the true ways of the man world.
GiGi begins to rely on his invaluable advice and the truth behind his teachings is revealed through the other relationships in the film. It's a very intricate web which isn't overdone or thrown in your face - the connections between the characters are subtle and believable. GiGi works with Beth (Jennifer Aniston) and Janine (Jennifer Connolly). Beth is living with Neil (Ben Affleck) who refuses to marry her, and Beth's husband Ben can't keep his hands off the voluptuous Anna (Scarlett Johansson). Mary has snagged a gaggle of devoted male followers - though none which are straight. Connor, who turned down GiGi and Alex's roommate, has a thing for Anna who feels nothing in return. Thus the intricate web of trouble is woven.
Each relationship demonstrates an aspect of the original book's 'teachings' - If he's not calling you, if she's not sleeping with you, if he's not marrying you then he's just not that into you. No character is focussed on too much, nor too little - the balance achieved by director is superb. Maybe it's a harsh truth but the writers of the film depict its teachings in such a way that you go away feeling better, not hopeless or depressed - why waste your time with someone who doesn't want you? You're better than that and the film encourages all to realise that sometimes unhappiness comes from the lies we force ourselves to believe.
Though the film can be emotionally confronting at times, such as when Ben has sex with Janine whilst Anna is locked in the closet, forced to listen. But the fact remains that these are not perfect movie relationships like we have become accustomed to. Those depicted in the film are what life is truly like - people break up, people are unfaithful to their partners, they treat people without respect, they're annoying and they have specific needs from relationships that can't always be satisfied by the one they believe they are destined to be with. It's this that makes the film so unique and so enjoyable - its realism and originality.
Don't be fooled - this film won't slash your hopes of ever finding true love, but will inspire you to realise that none of us have to settle for less than we deserve.
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