(From IMDb.com)
Hollywood loves to mess with the heads of folks still playing the find-the-right-one game in life.
Such as releasing the latest in a long line of romantic comedies, How to Be Single, on Valentine’s Day weekend.
And they dig playing on the shoved-in-the-closet bad memories in us all, too.
Everybody squirmed some while swimming in the dating pool, correct? Even if you have somebody cherished at your side to take to see this kind of film, well, you both can laugh at how it used to be in the Before Photos. And if you’re still searching, you can go group style and really yuck it up at schmucks who have it worse than you.
That’s what the much-played trailers for this one made it look like, anyhow: A fast and loose piece of work with Rebel Wilson cracking over-the-top bawdy jokes as she usually does, Dakota Johnson looking uncomfortable with sexuality, egads, Leslie Mann acting slightly older and bossy, and Alison Brie strutting smartly and smug. Typecast much? The men? Who were they?
A funny thing happened as my dear wife Karen and I took in a Saturday matinée at the Regal Cinemas theater at the Syracuse mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA.
The 1 hour, 50-minute piece directed by Christian Ditter and written by Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein and Dana Fox started paddling upstream.
Leslie Mann, Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson in How to Be Single (From IMDb.com)
Sure, there were plenty of the expected tawdry jokes — especially out of the mouth of Wilson’s character Robin, the one-woman wrecking crew who stuck most closely to expectations but still managed to come away with her own surprises — and single-in-the-Big Apple hook-ups. But each of the four main women at the core of the surprisingly interesting story had soul, too, as they searched for a mate and perhaps stumbled upon the reasons behind why this singles game had been going the way it had so far.
Johnson is the star, and behind those green eyes and striking facial resemblance to both mom Melanie Griffith and dad Don Johnson lied potential for some interesting dramatic turns down the line far past that Fifty Shades start.
And the men had depth, too. Bar owner Tom, played by Anders Holm, was the top guy if only because he had ties to two of the women, physically to Johnson’s confused Alice and emotionally to Brie’s logical Lucy. Jake Lacy and Damon Wayans Jr. were equally formidable as younger man Ken, fearless as he faced Mann’s reluctant expectations, and widower David, confused wooing Alice while thinking he was protecting his young daughter.
It was pleasing to see them all working out their various levels of singlehood, not trying to lump it all under one stereotype.
What’s your favorite romantic comedy, and why? What’s most horrible first date story? What’s your best first date story?
Mark Bialczak 
Hey Mark! This movie looked pretty funny in the previews, so will def have to rent it from the Redbox when it comes out, after reading your favorable review 🙂
Love romcoms – lots of favs, including Say Anything, Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Hot Chick, What Women Want, and Crazy, Stupid, Love – but I think my all time fav is Something’s Gotta Give.
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Oh, and The Wedding Date, for sure – so I have 2 all time favs!! 😉
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Great list with which to sit on the couch with a loved one, Sadie. Just sayin’. ❤
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i like most all of that genre – especially liked love actually, say anything, bridesmaids….best first date, meeting mg -stayed out for 7 hours )
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Hooray for seven-hour first dates, Beth. 🙂
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I think this looks like a breath of fresh air and I’m sure it’s one we’ll see 🙂
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You and the Mister may appreciate it, I think, Joey. 😉
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Hi Mark, I never go to see romantic comedies. I am kind of a foreign film, horror film, action film person. I don’t know why that is. Maybe all those years of taking my boys to those types of films, never developed an appreciation for romantic stuff. But I do like Rebel Wilson – she cracks me up – especially in “Pitch Perfect”. Hope you are staying warm over in your neck of the woods!
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You have your ways, SD. Romcoms help us stay warm over here in Syracuse, what with some laughing, I guess. 🙂
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Sounds like you guys need all the help you can get (staying warm). BRRRR!!!!
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Usually I stay away from romcoms. This one looked like it may have had enough com to get away with it.
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It dared to let the women be the anchors and bust some stereotypes, so I liked it for that, Marissa.
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Leslie Mann…one of the best comic actresses out there, and under-rated, I think. Rebel seems to be in her own lane, hard to believe she was a practicing attorney. ☺ Nice review, Mark.
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Thank you, Van, for throwing in the amazing fact that Rebel came to the big screen from practicing law. Amazing career change, for sure!
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Best first date: bike ride with husband to be where we decided ‘this’ would be our first date.
Worst first date: any date prior to that one. 🙂
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That sounds like a great first date, MBC. The others don’t matter, I agree.
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Favorite romantic comedy: “Say Anything.” Worst first date: the friend of a friend who asked me, “Why do you have to be so f***ing supportive?” Best first date: Meeting Michael, my bf, after two months of writing each other daily. Thanks for telling and asking, Mark.
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“Say Anything” is one of the best movies, ever, Ann. Your taste is impeccable. The world needs more Lloyd Doblers, Diane Corts, Ann Koplows and BF Michaels. 🙂
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