Unlike my friend Gnomeangel who thought that this film was only redeemed by Jennifer Garner’s presence; as probably expected by her… I really enjoyed this film. I didn’t love it, but it was a stock standard, predictable horny eligible bachelor who has never forgotten his childhood sweetheart but doesn’t realise it story. Oh, and a Bridezilla.

I am quite easily amused by a handsome leading man, a sassy leading lady, some goofy supporting cast characters; and an awesome soundtrack. Its a winning formula; its been working for decades. Why is it so maligned when there should be nothing wrong with going to see a movie where you are certain of a happy ending. I don’t understand it! Its comforting! To know that after the stresses of work, or the lack of an actual love life; I can retreat to the cinema with an oversized box of buttery salty popcorn, and a wonderfully sweet choctop; ah. That’s luxury to me. And having a friend to giggle with, or swoon at the leading man.

Admittedly, Mathew McConaughey doesn’t really do it for me. Sure, I love him and Kate Hudson in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days and he was quite memorable in We Are Marshall(and if you know anything about me and my Survivor crushes they all seem to be Southern.. a pattern?) but as I explained in my previous post of her appearance on Dave Letterman; my girlcrush is Jennifer Garner. She can do no wrong. Well. Except for Catch & Release That was horrible. Or maybe Juliette Lewis just ruins anything she’s in.

I did warn you I go off on tangents, yes?

So, Mathew-who sometimes favours an orangey Lindsay Lohan fake ORANGE tan-McConaughey plays Connor Mead; a distinguished guy who is a famous photographer; one that apparently doesn’t have to arrive on time, or even be there, until the very last moment when the button is pressed. He doesn’t even have to aim the camera. Its all in the way he delivers a squeeze to the butt, or a caress along the arm. He’s a world renowned photographer who can break up with women via video conferencing (wouldn’t it have been hilarious if it was via Twitter? Maybe Ashton Kutcher could have had a CNN press conference..the sky’s the limit!) The world is his oyster, and women are his plaything.

After all, he learned from Uncle Wayne played by Michael Douglas. Ew. Creepy. Even the glasses; is MDoug turning into the next Hugh Hefner? He’s practically wearing the burgundy dressing gown in this role as the dear departed Lothario that was Connor’s mentor back in the day; the very sleazy uncle that taught him how to treat women.

But on the occasion of little brother Paul’s wedding to Lacey Chabert (she’ll still be Mathew Fox’s little sister from Party of Five to me) Connor is even more anti-marriage/anti-love/pro-clothes off merriment. A little bit of slapstick, a lot of Bridezilla, and Paul is ready to disown his big brother. But Uncle Wayne has decided to visit Connor in the boy’s powder room and let him know past girlfriends are to visit him.

Hilariously; the first ghost/girlfriend from the 80s shows up first, what a hoot! I think she stole a few scenes from Mathew (even for the brief scene with Uncle Wayne at the end of the film – I won’t ruin it) She dated him for about 39 minutes, but she’s the funniest of all ghosts and takes him right back to when he and Jenny (Jennifer Garner) were best friends; a first near kiss, first relationship, and she was responsible for giving him his first camera. He told her that he’d keep that first Polaroid of her forever. Cue the Kimberley whimpering. My friend is new to that.. will she see a movie with me again? Time will tell..

What was also a delightful surprise was that the girl that played young Jen Garner in one of my ALL time favourite films 13 Going On 30 also played young Jen Garner in this one! Seriously, I wanted Michael Jackson’s Thriller to start playing, so the dance could be recreated again! Through past, present and future; Connor realises that he has never stopped loving Jenny and to see her with anyone else will rip him apart. He just hadn’t taken the time to really think about why he was so mesmerised by her. As an another aside,  honestly when Jen Garner cries. I cry. She did it so often in Alias, it never failed to get me pouting! That’s a talent. If I could cry like her, and still look gorgeous; maybe I’d be a hit in Hollywood.

All in all, I think Jen & Mathew share a decent chemistry, and I did quite enjoy the banter between them; especially when she tells him that he looks like a gay pirate with his shirt unbuttoned. (Not inspired by Russell Brand though)
Definitely one to see with friends. It had quite a few slapstick goofy moments, Lacey Chabert plays a great bridezilla, and her army father relating a story of putting insides back in a fellow soldier being what love is all about; just has to be seen.

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