Not a romantic comedy - a movie about friendship

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2004)

Contrary to expectations, this isn't a romantic comedy. It's a movie about friendship. And that's what I loved about it.
It's incredibly refreshing to see a movie in which men and women are friends without the constant "when are they going to sleep together?" vibe of most hollywood flicks. There is a bit of tension between the two, but mostly they're just friends.
This is a beautiful little movie. The performances are flawless, not just from Bill Murray, but from Scarlett Johansson. They can both show emotions without the over-the-top weeping and screaming of many 'better' actors, and don't mind making real life seem both funny and sad at the same time - which it often is. It's not a laugh out loud comedy, but if you don't leave the cinema smiling, it's your own fault.
This reminded me of Almodovars All About My Mother, not thematically or plot-wise, but simply because they are beautiful, touching, life affirming little movies.