One Of Them Is Lying. So Is The Other. I have heard many negative comments on this movie, but I do not care, cos I liked it

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2004)

It has been a long time since I have genuinely laughed at a movie, but I could not contain my laughter when I was watching the 2003 romantic comedy How to lose a guy in 10 days'. This film is a very refreshing romantic comedy, one that helps keep the genre alive and well. The other great part to this film was the cast, lead very well by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, and thanks to some great casting, the pair have some truly wonderful talent backing them up. I totally agree with Shawn Edwards' opinion on HTLAGITD' from FOX-TV  A fabulously fresh and totally ENTERTAINING BATTLE OF THE SEXES' I could not have put it better myself.

As the `How to...' columnist for trendy Composure' Magazine, Andie Anderson agrees to write a first-hand account about what it takes to drive a man out of her lifein exactly 10 days. At the same time, eligible and agency bachelor Benjamin Barry accepts a high stakes bet that he can lure any woman into falling head-over-heals in love with himalso in 10 days. The resulting romantic head-on collision ignites a series of deliriously comic deceptions that prove when it comes to true loveyour heart cannot tell a lie.
The wonderful screenplay is the most impressive aspect of HTLAGITD'. It was both romantic and funny at the same time, which I am sure must have been hard to get right, but the writers Kirsten Buckley, Brian Regan and Burr Steers got it spot on. I am sure they would have had think long and hard about what is was they wanted to show, but they showed it perfectly. The other aspect I liked about the story was how even it was for both the sexes, women get to see their part, and the men can see theirs. It shows how good a story this film has, when the writers can delicately balance it the way they did.
The director of HTLAGITD was Donald Petrie (from Miss Congeniality). He did a fine job in showing this quite unusual predicament we see our lead characters in. Petrie also gave the movie a very fun feeling, which many romantic comedies can lack. Another good thing about Petrie's direction, are the many wonderful shots we see around New York that he allows us to see. They make the city look very grand and show it to be a fascinating place to live in. This was achieved thanks to cinematographer John Bailey.

This takes me to the great cast, which was very very good. Andie Anderson (played by the voluptuous Kate Hudson), was a fun character to see. I cannot remember a movie where I was hypnotised by an actresses look, but Kate had me stunned. Her smile is hard not to like. I love the way she was able to make herself seem like such a dumb blonde, with the many scenarios we see Andie in, just hilarious. The only problem with this character was that she did start to become a bit annoying after a while.
The male character in this film was a man called Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey), a man all the girls want, and who the guys want to be like. Matt suited his role well, as the man who is very much a male guinea pig'. The situation he finds himself in is very delicate one, as the girl he is with has many different personalities', a line Ben uses in his defense at one stage. McConaughey and Hudson shared a great onscreen chemistry, with one, making the other look even better.
As I have mentioned the supporting cast for this film was great. Andie's friends include workmates Genie (Anne Parisse) and Michelle (new comedy actress Kathryn Hahn). Hahn has a very funny introduction, as she is the girl that inspires what transpires. Then Michelle plays along with the joke, becoming a some what unorthodox relationship counselor, one of the many funny parts of the film. Another female character I liked was Andie's magazine editor, Lana (Bebe Neuwirth), with real magazine people saying Bebe played her part perfectly.
Ben's friends are just as convincing here. Tony (Adam Goldberg) and Thayer (Thomas Lennon) are just as interested in their friend's plight on his conquest, like everyone else in NY. These guys almost seem joined at the hip. I also like Ben's boss, Phillip (Robert Klein) a man who wants Ben to succeed at his bet. We also get to see Ben's very strange, but unique family, with their favourite word, turning out to be a very queer card game. Ben's family has a strong effect on Andie, and they had the same effect on me as well.
The music of this film was another thing that helped win me over. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary David Newman, and had a great blend of great old tracks like Let's stay together Al Green and You're so vain' by Carly Simons, with a great new song Weight of the World' Performed by Chantal Kreviazuk.
This is a very clever romantic comedy, which shows what disasters can happen when people play around with the strong emotion of love. I am someone who has been a bit of a failure when it comes to dating, but after watching this film, I realise I am not the only person who suffers from the dating blues'. There were many funny in-jokes in this film, that had me in stitches many times and I am sure they will have that affect on you too. HTLAGITD is a good film, and that is no bulls*%t!
CMRS gives How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days': 3.5 (Good - Very Good Film)