sexwizardmoustache
Went in expecting another run-of-the-mill, formulaic, predictable romcom. Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, tension/climax ensues threatening their bond before all is resolved in a happy ending where boy ends up with girl.This is not what this movie is AT ALL. That alone deserves a 5/10. Why this movie receives such harsh ratings from IMDB reviewers and critics alike shows that people don't appreciate movies that defy stereotypical genres. I certainly do.This is a very relatable premise. Possible infidelity in relationships, which technology makes easier to uncover. But it was not explored in the context of a predictable romcom, but instead, it was more of an exposé on the world of reality TV, where cutthroat, merciless, manipulative, sociopathic TV producers will do anything for ratings, including ruin people's lives. Funnily enough, this movie was made before the TV show Unreal but this is what it reminded me of. Hunter's character was brilliantly portrayed. The way she manically got off on the real life drama she created for television, by toying with the lives of several people, while feeling no remorse was disturbing and chilling to watch. I certainly did not see the twist coming AT ALL because she maintained the ruse of being Murphy's friend and side kick effortlessly well throughout the film, giving no hint of what she was plotting behind the scenes. As a viewer, I felt just as played as Murphy's character did. That in my book, is a job well done on the part of the acting, writing and direction of this movie.I love how in the end, Stacey doesn't end up with a guy, but instead, her dream job. What romantic comedy has ever ended like this in history? Where a woman is not defined by ending up with a guy in the end, but instead by her career. This ending should be empowering to women everywhere! It is a refreshing change of pace. To all the people and critics scolding Murphy's character, I have to wonder why this is. Firstly, Hunter manipulated her every step of the way, by planting the seed of doubt in her mind, encouraging her to set up interviews with all her boyfriend's exes and even getting a hold of his Blackberry and snooping through it. Stacey was with this guy for a year and it never occurred to her once to snoop through his phone or past relationships. So obviously, she is not an inherently bad person, she was merely a pawn in Barb's game and she was clearly very good at controlling her pawns. That is the whole point of the movie. Seriously, did every single movie critic miss that? Secondly, this guy is nothing to write home about. The fact is, he was deceitful, and ironically, Barb did Stacey a favour by helping her uncover who he really was so she could find someone more deserving of her. I would expect if I'm with someone for a year, that they would not keep from me, weekly meet ups and phone calls with not one, but two of their exes, one of which they keep naked pictures of on their phone. Also, I'd expect that my partner of one year would want to introduce me to their parents after such time. And if they're going to say, oh that's just something I don't do, for that to be the truth, instead of a lie because they don't want to be honest and say, I just don't think you're the one. It is unfair to waste a year of someone's life leading them on. Also, the one woman who was apparently good enough to be introduced to his parents, he deliberately humiliated by laughingly playing her phone messages to his superficial fling. Given how strongly Joyce was holding onto him, I think she also deserved to know what a tool this guy really was. So ultimately it was good for all concerned for the truth to come out. If Derek was a nice guy, then Barb would be unimaginably cruel breaking up a happy relationship. But because he's not, we're ironically grateful that Barb allowed Derek to be exposed for who he really is so both Joyce and Stacey could be open to find someone better. But no, I don't agree Stacey is the villain here at all. She is the victim of a bad relationship and a manipulative, conniving sociopath masquerading as her friend.Overall, a very unexpected, thought provoking movie.
SnoopyStyle
Stacy Holt (Brittany Murphy) wants to be Diane Sawyer. She gets an associate producer job for daytime talk show Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates). Other AP Barb (Holly Hunter) takes her under her wings. Her boyfriend Derek (Ron Livingston) let slip that he dated supermodel Lulu when they see her on TV. She, Barb and Ira interview Lulu and discover that his ex Joyce (Julianne Nicholson) was desperate to get back with him. In desperation, she digs through his stuff to find his exes. She starts tracking down his ex Dr. Keyes (Rashida Jones) and getting his day-planner with the urging of Barb.I don't find this funny. Stacy is both pathetic and annoying. The problem is that she doesn't have the loveability. Brittany Murphy is usually adorable but here, she is just the Manic Pixie Crazy Girlfriend. I also would rather have a young lifelong girlfriend instead of Holly Hunter. It is sad for this movie to drag 'Working Girl' into this mess.
bulgarianstallion
Plot-wise the movie sounds better than eventually executed. Stacy (Murphy) gets hold of her boyfriend's digital organizer containing information including pictures of his former girlfriends. But it all seems to go nowhere really really slow. Most of the acting is shallow to workmanlike and the characters aren't all too deep. Murphy's character is unsurprisingly once again: a cute, seemingly innocent girl, but somehow you know she' about to do no good. What saves the movie is Brittany Murphy herself. It is for her fans. There's deliciously long camera time devoted just to her amazing face all through the movie. Certainly it's working due to her recent demise all the more. Either way you can view the movie as portfolio of Brittany. You can do this separately from the story, which drags anyway. Other reviewers have called her presence irritating. But to all fans of hers it is just what they need: A close-up study of a uniquely "cute" and unquestionably ambitious actress.Three quarters into the movie, things actually pick up and begin making sense. Ultimately a surprisingly uplifting movie, still not exactly a "feel-good-movie".
insomniac_rod
I was skeptical towards this one but I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed it big time. I'm the kind of guy that tends to be jealous or uncomfortable about my ex-girlfriends' ex-lovers or boyfriends.So this movie talks about the same but vice-versa,; I mean, now the girlfriend is jealous over her boyfriend's past ex-girlfriends so she decides to investigate about their lives. She meets a beautiful, tender, smart, Doctor, a hot sex addict super model, and some others. Meanwhile she gets the job she always dreamed about and she seems to be having a perfect life. Everything changes when her inner fears and her supposedly best friend betrays her. Oh poor Brittany... She feels uncomfortable and insecure but at least she realizes that she does not needs to know anything about his boyfriend's like EXCEPT that she is not the one for him.Funny movie with romantic over tones and decent acting. Kathy Bates and Holly Hunter deliver good performances although their potential is not exploited at it's full. I need to get this off my chest: I totally think Holly Hunter's voice is very, very sexy.The situations are interesting enough to keep you interested on the movie. I can't say if it's a chick flick or something... On my defense, I watched it on late cable night on SKY.Another successful move by the sexy Brittany Murphy.
