Matthew D
Charming acting saves a very awkward script.
Director James L. Brooks’ romantic comedy How Do You Know (2010) is alright. I found it pretty funny, but not romantic enough for my taste. We don’t get enough of Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd together, bonding, and being romantic. Brooks’ direction is not that creative, but he is effective at making jokes, but his script has like 5 different storylines going on simultaneously. Why does Reese keep going back to Owen Wilson when he dismisses her, ignores her, and cheats on her? It’s so annoying, when she could have had more flirting scenes with Paul Rudd instead.
James L. Brooks’ script is simply imbalanced. There’s Reese losing her softball team spot, her seeking love, Owen messing around with her, Paul Rudd flirting with Reese, Paul dealing with his father’s company getting a lawsuit, Paul having to decide whether he or his father should go to jail, not to mention Kathryn Hahn’s character having a baby. It’s all over the place and should have focused more on Reese and Paul’s characters trying to get to know each other as their lives have both been torn apart, rather than them not being on screen together for most of the movie.
Reese Witherspoon is very funny, charming, and beautiful as softball player Lisa Jorgenson. Witherspoon always makes me laugh, so she brings a lot of How Do You Know. Owen Wilson is such an unlikable jerk as baseball playboy Matty Reynolds. He can be funny, but his character is so sleazy that he’s in this too much. Paul Rudd is very likable and playful as the awkward lawyer George Madison.
Jack Nicholson is amusing as Rudd’s selfishly evil father and law firm CEO Charles Madison. Dean Norris gets to be a jerk as Reese’s coach Tom, who fires her. Kathryn Hahn is vaguely fun as Rudd’s kind pregnant secretary Annie. She doesn’t add very much here. I liked John Tormey’s friendly Doorman, who could have had a few more funny lines. Tony Shalhoub is quite funny in his cameo as Reese’s psychiatrist. Teyonah Parris has a cute bit as Reese’s softball gal pal Riva.
Editors Tracey Wadmore-Smith and Richard Marks cut all over the place between these numerous characters for a jarring effect. Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński shoots some nice close-up shots, but all the wide and medium shots look like a television show. The flat lighting from David Devlin and Molly Cheshire don’t help that aesthetic. Production designer Jeannine Oppewall makes several cozy apartment sets that feel like fancy homes.
Composer Hans Zimmer provides the most forgettable film score he’s ever done. Costume designer Shay Cunliffe’s dresses and jackets for Reese are super cute on her. Makeup artists Michael Germain, Lisa Hans-Wolf, Lindsay Irish-Desarno, Sandra Linn Koepper, June Brickman, Christina Smith, Patty York, and Robin Fredriksz make Reese glow and let the guys look sharp. I was often distracted by Reese’s gorgeous blonde tresses from hairstylists Daniel Howell, Janice Innella, Lona Vigi, Lydia Bensimmon, Michael White, Geraldine Jones, Sherri Bramlett, and Joy Zapata.
Lastly, How Do You Know is pretty funny thanks to Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson’s acting. However, why was it 121 minutes long? It’s a basic rom-com that could have easily cut an entire half hour.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
11/14/24
Full Review
Donnette T
I've never seen a bad Paul Rudd movie until this one. Meandering and cliche, it manages to pull universally dreadful performances out of a star-studded cast.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
08/09/24
Full Review
Alan g
Waste of Reese Witherspoon's talent. Paul Rudd and Owen Wison can't act as usual. Jack Nicholson in it for tge payday. Avoid.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
07/10/24
Full Review
Test T
I watched this on DVD recently. It has lots of star acting talent, and is well made with expertly shot pleasant scenes in pretty locations. With all this you would think it would be a hit movie, but sadly it's not. The story is overly stated, in that the characters spend far too long wallowing in self analysis explaining their motivations which makes the movie feel slow and tiresome. Having watched the DVD extras I think it's the director's fault. There are some funny scenes, and I enjoyed Owen's & Jack's performances most. I found Reese's and Paul's characters disappointing, and somewhat unappealing. Over all, it's OK, but fall's way short of what it should have been.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/02/24
Full Review
E C
I love this movie and watch it often. It's not mind blowing but it feels so comfortable and I wish there were more new movies like it. I'm sad to see the poor reviews and I think they're missing the charm and small nuances that make it great. It's not in-your-face, filled with thrills and stunts, or trying to invent something new…but if you love movies about people that walk you through relationships, stage plays, and rom coms from before the 2000s, you'll probably love this too. While the dialogue isn't realistic, it's refreshing how direct and open the characters are. And although it's heavy handed, as a therapist, I think does an amazing job of demonstrating attachment styles and relationship dynamics. So, if you're looking for a dreamy feel good movie that lets you escape into an idealized version of modern romance while also giving you glimmers of movies like Sleepless in Seattle or When Harry Met Sally, please give it a watch.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/04/23
Full Review
Sherry S
How Do You Know? Well, I know when I've just been subjected to a horrific film! It was poorly written, not funny, and made absolutely no sense. How Do You Know? If you ignore the negative reviews, as I foolishly did, You Will Know! How the director and actors did not know is the bigger question. Now you know! Skip this one.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
10/31/23
Full Review
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