Last weekend, I sat through a romantic comedy called The Ugly Truth.
It’s about the misinterpretations and misconceptions about men that women have. It’s also about showing women that they can be themselves, and that when the right man comes along, he will love them for who they are.
It’s kind of like He’s Just Not That Into You, but without the multiple, intersecting love stories.
Personally, I work around a lot of men, so I figure that I know them pretty well. Alas, I have learned that I am still learning about men. One thing I have learned is that men are pigs; even the good ones.
The difference between a good man and a bad man is how much of a jerk he is and if his woman is willing to tolerate whatever it is that’s wrong with him. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t be bothered with men. No, no; I really like men. But I have to accept that no man is perfect. A lot of women need to accept that.
Take Mike (played by Gerard Butler), for example. He is a typical alpha male with a penchant for ranting on his TV show about how silly and unknowledgeable women are when it comes to men.
In The Ugly Truth, Mike teaches his new associate producer, Abby (Katherine Heigl) about men and how to make a man want to be with her. What he teaches her to be is someone who isn’t herself.
He transforms her into a smiley vixen to win the heart of her doctor neighbor, Colin (Eric Winter). Mike’s tactics work perfectly, only he has the misfortune of falling for the real Abby himself.
In the script by Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, I saw a valiant attempt at showing women that they can be the most uptight person in the world (complete with a pet cat), and still be able to attract a playboy like Mike. They’ve also renewed my faith in men. Men can be gentlemen and fall in love with a good woman and treat her well.
On to the director. Robert Luketic is awesome. I loved his use of soft colors and white to show that Abby may be uptight, but there is a bright, sun-shiny part just itching to get out.
To me, it represents her softer side and what really makes Mike fall in love with her. This is just like most women, whose softer side is tapped down to make way for a tough exterior to survive in a man’s world. By the way, did I mention that I really liked this movie?
As for the actors, Heigl essentially plays her character in Knocked Up minus the pregnancy and plus the dream job in TV production. Butler is the usual, charming self that he is off screen. It’s as if Abby and Mike were written for Heigl and Butler, respectively.
Another actor of note is Bree Turner as Joy, Abby’s assistant. Turner is always popping up somewhere or the other. She is a great comedic actress and needs to have a leading role some time soon.
It would be a shame to ignore such a great talent.
Winter as Dr. Colin is decent, but he isn’t spectacular. He’s actually a little stiff, despite his great body and killer smile. He seems to be the perfect man, but in essence, that’s what makes him unattractive. No one wants to be with someone who is totally perfect. It’s boring, which is what Eastman and company must have been trying to convey.
Yes, we women want to be rescued, pampered, treated like a queen, and have a sexy specimen to look at, but if a man is too perfect, it makes us feel imperfect, and therein lies the problem. Men don’t have to be perfect; just be the best man they can be.
Trying to understand the opposite sex is a headache waiting to happen. So, the better bet is to try to understand yourself first, and then let everything else fall into place.
The Ugly Truth, which isn’t ugly at all, simplifies this notion into a glossy film with gorgeous actors parading around in killer outfits (thanks to Betsy Heimann) and having a good time living life.
It’s an excellent movie to see with your significant other and/or your best gal pals.
KAliciaG@Aol.com
No Comment