Review of Girl's Best Friend (2008) by Jayne F — 28 Aug 2010

The prevailing feeling you might have in watching this film is, "Wow, this must be what it's like to be Janeane Garafalo!" Her character, Mary, not only speaks and acts just like Ms. Garafalo, she also seems to be wearing all her clothes and accessories, down to the chunky G-Shock watch. Considering that the writer credited, "Muffy Marrocco" has no resume or other credentials (not to mention a dubiously unlikely name) I have to assume that our lovely tatted-up heroine wrote it herself.

The main character "Mary" is a witty and caustic music critic (which neatly parallels a certain sardonic comedienne) who is traveling cross-country to deliver a dog. That's just a side-vehicle for laying bare the protagonist's self-inflicted boy trouble. All boys involved are cute shaggy musicians who wearily endure Mary's indecisiveness until they hit their own breaking point with her antics.

What makes this meandering narrative snappy and engaging is Garafalo's authentic self-deprecation and romantic angst. This is a girl who not only can't commit, but does everything in her power to sabotage her relationships in ways that make the viewer wanna yell, "Stop it already, Janeane!" At one point she shouts at her naughty Jack Russell, "You ruin everything!" after he chews her sacred iPod to shreds. It's a bit heavy-handed to realize she's speaking about herself, having just hung-up on her long-distance boyfriend because she refuses to commit. Her behavior may exasperate you; but that's the point. She's rather infuriated by her OWN behavior. Yet, despite her self-destructive tendencies we cheer for her anyway - especially when she neatly wraps up all the tattered pieces in the end. A gal's dog may indeed be her best friend, but even Mary/Janeane realizes the relationship has its limits; plus boys are better to make-out with.