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Suppose you're an up-and-coming writer for a
Cosmo-type magazine who's stuck with writing those
predictable "How To" columns. Lo and behold, your
big break comes one day when your editor tells you
she'll let you write whatever you want if you find
a man, make him fall in love with you, and dump
you in 10 days - then do an article about it.
Would you accept the challenge? If you're
ambitious enough, you might. But what if the man
involved is betting he can make you fall for him
in the same amount of time? And neither one of you
knows about the other's motivation? That's the
wacky premise behind HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS,
a romantic comedy co-starring Kate Hudson and
Matthew McConaughey.
While the movie takes too long in setting up this
implausible situation, once Hudson starts on her
daring assignment, the fun begins. Appearing
smart, warm and sexy when McConaughey first meets
her, she tries to destroy the relationship with
some hilarious antics - using baby talk, filling
his apartment with feminine objects, putting a
puppy (a pet that's not housebroken) on his pool
table, interrupting his poker game, and so forth.
Although many of these scenes go too far over the
top, Hudson makes them work, proving her Oscar win
for ALMOST FAMOUS was no fluke and demonstrating a
flair for comedy similar to her mother's (Goldie
Hawn). McConaughey, however, never seems "with it"
here - an insincerity seeps through, even when his
character should be showing some indication that
he's actually fallen in love. Still, I have to
admit a lack of objectivity regarding this popular
actor as a romantic lead. He won me over in such
films as U-571 and FRAILTY, but I can't accept him
as a love interest. His lack of believability in
THE WEDDING PLANNER almost ruined that film for
me, and the same holds true for his performance in
HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS.
Supporting cast member Bebe Neuwirth (TADPOLE)
shines in the role of Hudson's demanding boss.
Watching Neuwirth, as the dynamic editor, run such
fast-paced staff meetings made me glad I'm not
working for someone like her. Nevertheless, she
definitely adds welcome energy to this uneven
romantic comedy.
Based on the book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie
Long, HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS emerges as an
excellent reminder about what not to do if you
want a romance to last - but it also concludes
that, in most cases, true love conquers all.
(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated "PG-13"
for some sex-related material.)
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