The Ugly Truth (2009)

Here is a movie that the previous film that I reviewed, (500) Days of Summer, is 100% trying not to be… A romantic comedy that is clichéd with circumstances and characters that probably would never exist. Yet, The Ugly Truth uses the well-known formula to form a worthwhile theater-going experience.

The Ugly Truth takes a curve around the PG-13 rating for R-rated material that never steps close to the raunchiness of Apatow films, but has just enough blushful moments to appeal to the Sex and the City crowd. Gerard Butler (from 300 fame) is Mike, an alpha-male TV commentator who gets picked up by a desperate Sacramento news station despite disapproval from its high-strung head producer, Abby (Katherine Heigl). Obviously, Mike and Abby don’t see eye-to-eye on things, but the two draw close as Mike uses his extensive knowledge of the male ego to help Abby land the guy of her dreams.

This was a movie that was way better than I expected, nor was it anywhere near great. It’s most likely to get lost amongst the slew of rom-coms that are out there. Butler and Heigl’s chemistry is lacking a bit, but it’s mainly due to the script, not the acting. The R-rating will probably drive off a lot of viewers, but I almost appreciated the fact that it was taking a chance with the material; versus skirting around the issues like PG-13 films do… too bad it was for the most part unsuccessful.

I give The Ugly Truth 3 out of 5 badly hidden Scottish accents.

(500) Days of Summer (2009)

Everyone has had that breakup where all your thoughts, expectations, and desires have been shattered without warning. If it’s not a breakup, everyone will face, at one time or another, a moment in life where everything you once thought and believed is crushed. It’s a tough time in life, yet a pivotal one, that can make or break somebody. A film hasn’t captured that feeling so well like (500) Days of Summer.

Billed as an anti-love story, first-time director Marc Webb innovatively tells the story of the fruitful beginning and ultimate demise of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel). Don’t worry, that isn’t a spoiler. The film flips back and forth to pivotal moments of the two’s relationship to give context to the question, “Why?” There are some very out-of-the-box moments that are truly innovative, smart and entertaining that poke fun at the clichés that movies make us think that are reality… i.e. that you must have that special somebody to feel complete in life.

Unfortunately THERE ARE some clichés in this film that don’t quite make it perfect or as innovative as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but it was still a breath of fresh air to sit in a theater that was showing a film that was entertaining throughout, very original, had great performances, and one that I know I want to see again. You connect with a very emotional feeling to this film, but it gives you leverage to laugh at both yourself and the characters. Please go to the theater and support independent films like this one before more brainless blockbusters overtake it.

I give (500) Days of Summer 4 out of 5 Hall & Oates hits.