SOMETHING BORROWED
RYAN: Something Borrowed is a new romantic comedy based on a popular book that you read and I didn’t.
CAROLINE: It’s total chick lit/beach read material. Trashy, but enjoyable. Kinda like the movie, I suppose.
RYAN: It stars Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski from The Office. And can I just offer some free advice to Ms. Hudson? Next time you choose a romantic comedy, please read the script first. And if it doesn’t require you to do something you haven’t done before, just pass.
CAROLINE: I didn’t think it was that bad, but I definitely hear you on the Kate thing. Girlfriend needs to branch out immediately.
RYAN: She’s not bad at all in the role, and she’s still one of the cutest things in the universe; but I’m almost at the point with her that we are with Will Ferrell or Ben Stiller – like, “OK, we get it. What else can you do?”
CAROLINE: Yeah, it’s a little odd that her agents aren’t forcing her in a new direction, because I do think she’s a capable actress. And I’m sorry, but I just don’t love Ginnifer Goodwin. There’s something stiff and awkward about her, epecially when compared to Kate Hudson, who’s so cute and bubbly in these kinds of roles.
RYAN: She’s definitely not as engaging as Kate, but I still find her very likable and talented. I feel overall there were a lot of missed opportunities in this film. Whenever the plot began to engage me and go in a direction I thought it would, it totally deflated.
CAROLINE: The script felt little stilted at times. It’s by no means a great rom com, though it did have some fun moments. I enjoyed watching it, but it definitely could have been better.
RYAN: I also didn’t love the flashback device they used. It was so literal.
CAROLINE: But I loved all the on-location shots of New York City. Great street shots, bars I recognized, etc… and Shake Shack! So fun.
RYAN: Agreed! The lead love interest guy looks like Tom Cruise lite. He never seemed to really commit, even though he had the eyes-welling-up-with-tears bit down.
CAROLINE: I thought the premise is fun and interesting, and while not necessarily 100% relatable, it’s definitely something you could see happening in real life. One thing that totally bugged me though is how much money they all seemed to have. I mean, they’re supposed to be 30 and they have an insane Hamptons beachfront summer rental? Please!
RYAN: Sorry I’ve never invited you to mine, honey. Maybe this year you can come.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ I’ll be eagerly awaiting my invitation.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It’s a cute movie and at times unpredictable and clever, but overall cliché and even a little boring. It felt too long even at only an hour and 50 minutes. It’s not a truly great romantic comedy.
CAROLINE: Honestly, it’s a rental. It might have been better for this movie to come out around Valentine’s Day. It would have been a good movie to get us out of the winter doldrums. I liked it enough, but it’s not memorable.
— RATING —
