A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Date Viewed: 3/1/03

Details:

Kate Hudson (Andie Anderson)

Matthew McConaughey (Ben Barry)

Bebe Neuwirth

Director: Donald Petrie

Score: +

The Review: Very funny and entertaining romantic comedy.

Andie Anderson (Hudson) is a young, aspiring political essayist who has a secure (but brainless) job writing a monthly "how to.. .."column for the foremost woman's magazine of style and fluff. Ben Barry (McConaughey) is a young, ambitious advertising exec who is fighting for the chance to manage the new diamond marketing campaign for a major ad agency. As an "educational service," she is cowed by her boss (Neuwirth) and agrees to write a column entitled "How to lose a guy in 10 days" -- all the things that are guaranteed to have him avoiding commitment and running the other way in minimal time -- and she will do the research in person. He is coerced into a bet to prove his "worthiness" to advertise diamonds to a female audience by taking the 10 days until the opening party of the campaign to court and bring a date who really is in love with him. He and she are "allowed" to find each other, and the sparks begin to fly. Put in print, this sounds like a stretch concept, but as it unfolds on screen, it works.

Lots and lots of stereotypical girl-boy interaction, angst over commitment, etc. - but it is incredibly funny, over the top, and excruciatingly cringeful at the same time. Enjoy!

(8-Mar-03)

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