Review of How Do You Know (2010) by Christine B — 05 Jun 2011

I rented this movie because I adore Paul Rudd and director James L. Brooks has made some great films (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets), so after I read a positive review on the DVD cover I decided to take it home.

I watched it with my sister and brother-in-law and we were all really disappointed in How Do You Know. It's not particularly funny, nor is it romantic. I don't know what Brooks was going for but I don't think he realized it at all with this film that just kind of drones on and on and doesn't really make a point other than the main character, Lisa, just doesn't have a clue about men or relationships.

Reese Witherspoon is not one of my favourite actresses but she has had her impressive moments (most notably in Walk The Line). However, when I come to think of it, she has never really shown any romantic and/or sexual chemistry with any of her leading men and she doesn't have it here either. She wears the same spaced-out, uncomprehending look on her face that she has on the DVD cover in most of her scenes in the movie. I'm not crazy about Owen Wilson either. He can't act, he just plays Owen Wilson in just about every movie I've seen him in and his dumb blonde, nice guy routine is boring. Jack Nicholson could have phoned in his performance so the only actor left who actually gave something of himself was Paul Rudd. He conveyed more thought and emotion with his eyes alone than anyone else in this stinker. I must not forget Kathryn Hahn either as she did a great job portraying George's devoted & very pregnant assistant.

The ending was a major disappointment even for a formulaic rom-com. This just didn't work so don't bother - it's a waste of time.