HJNTIY

I watched He's Just Not That Into You on demand last night with a friend and I do have to say that I am largely disappointed. And I was kind of excited to watch it too!

Aside from a weak plot line, the "stars" in the movie really didn't do anything for me - Jennifer Connolly, perpetually dressed in the most unflattering clothes possible, was a waste of a strong actress, Scarlett Johansson was the exact same character that she is in Vicky Cristina Barcelona (beguiling, youthful, sensual, naive, seductress in search of her life path), I couldn't get past the shadow of the "Rachel" persona when watching Jennifer Aniston (and I hate that they cast her as the "beautiful, smart, hot older woman who can't secure a man" -- is that on purpose? Why does she keep taking these roles?), Ben Affleck looked strangely gaunt and was dry as crisps, and Ginnifer Goodwin was so achingly, overly but at the same time accurately and relatably en pointe in her portrayal of the sweet, desperate, pathetic single girl that it may have detracted from the enjoyment of the movie. I couldn't help yelling at the screen ("No! Don't call him! What are you doing?"). The characters and plot development were bad enough that I honestly cannot recall any of their names now and I don't think I even bothered to learn them during the movie. BUT Justin Long was a positive as a fresh face and perhaps the highlight of the movie, along with Bradley Cooper -- but that one may be because I'm still hung up on his character in The Hangover.

Additionally, the dressing for the movie was terrible. Boring bordering on ugly. Overall, I thought the movie would be better. I guess, considering the lineup of stars, I had high expectations?

On the plus side though, my [male] friend said it was better than he expected. Go figure.

P.S. Oh yeah and I completely forgot to mention Drew Barrymore -- I'd say that's pretty indicative of her performance and character in the movie. It seems like the writers/producers (she is one of the co-producers, ironically) threw her character in to make useless, pithy comments about the evolution of dating etiquette due to technology -- presumably for some humor value.

P.P.S. Also, the movie was completely hypocritical in its message, alternately showing how men were just not that into the women but then also providing nearly each woman with her own neat happy ending. The whole Ginnifer Goodwin plotline ended with her being the "exception" to the rule of HJNTIY, which is: if he doesn't initiate contact or pursue you, forget it. He's just not that into you and will never call. But what does that mean for everyone else? Should one abide by HJNTIY rules or do as Ginnifer Goodwin does and hope to be the exception? Ridiculous and confusing.