Review of How to Be Single (2016) by James E — 12 Feb 2016

It baffles me that the major Hollywood studios behind this film couldn't find a female lead better than Dakota Johnson, who's screen presence is the equivalent of valium. To be fair, her role is underwritten compared to the supporting characters yet she has the job of being the connective thread throughout the film.

Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann and Damon Wayans makes it watchable. Wilson delivers the laughs as expected and Mann evokes a lot of pathos as usual. Wayons is easily the best male character in the film, he's very convincing as a protective, widowed father.

The most annoying aspect of this film is that it wants to have its cake and eat it too. Its slightly insulting to the audience's intelligence. Basically it wants to present itself as modern and feminist (who cares if we don't have boyfriends!!!) yet on the other hand, three out of the four female characters spend all their time online dating looking for her "soul mate" and being baby obsessed.

Overall the film would've held together a lot better if it just focused on a few characters and stuck to a discernable tone/attitude, instead of taking us through a multitude of forgettable characters.