Review of Little Black Book (2004) by Thomas B — 07 Mar 2008

"Little Black Book" is one of those rare movies that, if underestimated, will surprise you. I fully expected your average, run-of-the-mill, cringe-inducing, "quirky" romantic comedy that the trailers and poster would suggest.

That's why I didn't see it until I was stuck home one night, bored, when it came on TV. Basically, Stacy Holt (Brittany Murphy) works at a daytime yakker where Barb (Holly Hunter), a co-worker, persuades her to learn more about Derek (Ron Livingston), her boyfriend, by sniffing for scoop on his ex-girlfriends.

The mission's achieved by invading his Palm Pilot, but the more Stacy learns, the more paranoid she gets. Her insecurity brings on a whirlwhind of turmoil, including insinuating herself in the exes' lives using an assumed name, and befriending the 'enemy' -- a ticking timebomb that's bound to end disastrously since she genuinely admires one of the women.

Though there are a few 'moments' throughout the first half, the real treat comes in the second half, which features a revelation that turns the film on its ear, making the film less romantic comedy, more unpredictable train wreck -- but that's a good thing.

Some will say that Barb's betrayal (she orchestrated the Palm Pilot scheme, from day one, to inevitably expose the truth on the talk show) is a cheap attempt to shock the audience. Though it's surely one of those moments 'ya didn't see comin', the film is too smart for such a low-ball trick (though its genius would fly over many a head).

The talk show climax, where all secrets are revealed, serves as the backdrop of pretty timely social commentary. Barb, as she salivates from the producer's chair, adoring the unholy mess she made happen, sees an opera of epic proportions, rather than the fact that she's played God with people's lives.

She, like today's TV audiences, goes for shock value over substance; dignity be damned. Reality TV -- seeing real people suffer -- is the greatest entertainment form to Barb, who looks more like the typical American eating up lowest-common-denominator fare like "Big Brother" or "I Love New York.

" Another intelligent mark in the film is seen in its 'fake' ending. Sure, Stacy loses the guy, but then she meets another dude -- one who happens to own the coffee shop she frequents. It's fate, right? Not so fast; just when you sensed another cliched ending, the "M" word (married) stamps it out.

The film's true ending doesn't pander to the typical "happy ending" of a romantic comedy, yet it ends on an altruistic, high note, giving Stacy everything she really ever wanted: A hot-shot TV job and Carly Simon, both of which are dominant themes throughout the movie.

Before you write this one off, just remember: Those who appreciate its thinly veiled, anti-reality TV message are probably smart enough to read between the lines of this "Little Black Book," and grateful enough to appreciate an ending that, for once, isn't formulaic, 'They lived happily ever after' tripe.