How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
3 out of 5 stars
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This film has such a bright and zany tone that you almost think they hired cheerleaders to stand just off camera and keep everyone upbeat and energetic! And it's great fun until the plot goes all Hollywood-stupid on us at the end. The set-up: Andie (Hudson) is a magazine columnist assigned by her editor (Neuwirth) to write an article about, well, how to lose a guy in 10 days--the things girls do wrong in new relationships. All she has to do is pick a guy to do them to. Meanwhile, ad agency guy Ben (McConaughey) makes a bet with his boss (Klein) and colleagues to land an upcoming account: He'll make any girl they choose fall in love with him in 10 days. Yes, Andie and Ben are working on each other! After lots of high-energy hijinks the standard rom-com plot kicks in and you know the rest.

Up until the excruciatingly awful climax, the film is fantastic. Hawn--oops, I mean: Hudson and McConaughey are sharp, funny and a joy to watch, especially as the chemistry clicks into gear. The whole cast is so perky that it almost hurts, but at least they keep smiles on our faces. There are laugh-out-loud jokes from start to finish (my favourite involves Celine Dion). This is inspired comedy and real emotion that come from the characters and fit neatly into the story (this is a big advantage over most current comedies!). And Petrie keeps things moving with a slick, honey-glazed production and genuine attention to the plot, even when it shifts into a brainless romance at the end. Perhaps that shift is all the more jarring because it undermines the intelligent, tightly wound stuff that went before. Is this a test-audience re-edit, perhaps? Whatever, it makes you wish someone could figure out a new way to end these kinds of movies. Because this exact same ending is getting really boring.

cert 12 themes, language, innuendo 14.Apr.03

dir Donald Petrie
scr Kristen Buckley, Brian Regan, Burr Steers
with Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Michael Michele, Adam Goldberg, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Klein, Celia Weston, Liliane Montevecchi, Annie Parisse, Thomas Lennon, Kathryn Hahn, James Murtaugh
release US 7.Feb.03, UK 18.Apr.03
Paramount
03/US 1h56

Is it love or just a game? Ben and Andie (McConaughey and Hudson) fall hook, line and sinker...

hudson mcconaughey neuwirth
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send your review to Shadows... how to lose a guy in 10 days "I am a fan of McConaughey, and a romantic comedy was what I was in the mood for. I gotta say, this movie delivered. She is Andie Anderson (Hudson), who writes a 'How To' column in a women's magazine - mostly fluff, and she aspires to more challenging subjects. He is an advertising exec who wants to win the diamond advertising account. She says she can lose a guy in 10 days, he says he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days.... The stage is set, everyone can see where it is going - but it is a fun, laughable ride getting there. We laughed alot at this movie, and the end, while being predictable, was fun to watch. Go see this one if you want to see a romantic movie that will make you laugh." --Laurie T, Minneapolis 17.Feb.03
© 2003 by Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

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