How Do You Know

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How Do You Know

PG-13

Released Dec 17, 2010

2h 1m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

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149 Reviews

25%

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25,000+ Ratings

Lisa Jorgenson's (Reese Witherspoon) entire life has been defined by softball, but at 31, she is deemed too old to play and cut from the team. After being cast adrift, she begins a fling with Matty (Owen Wilson), a charming womanizer who plays professional baseball. About the same time, she goes on a blind date with George (Paul Rudd), a businessman on the hook for stock fraud. Caught in a romantic triangle with the two men, Lisa ponders the meaning of love.

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Critics Consensus

How Do You Know boasts a quartet of likeable leads -- and they deserve better than this glib, overlong misfire from writer/director James L. Brooks.

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Three likeable stars and Jack Nicholson. Can you take this foursome and make a film that makes you want to barf the moment it opens? Yes, if the film is How Do You Know.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 3, 2019

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

Rated: 3/4

Jan 26, 2012

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Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

Some of the bits are funny, every now and then they're sweet, the performances are OK and really, with this much talent involved, it's hard not to be disappointed in that.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 12, 2011

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A serviceable, low-key romantic comedy that’s just entertaining enough to keep our attention, but with few flourishes to last in our memory the way Brooks’ movies usually do.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 3, 2023

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

At least a modest disappointment for those of us who consider ourselves fans of James L. Brooks.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 11, 2020

Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

Earnest and watchable, there are some incredibly funny moments, but in the end, this isn't anything more than a middle-of-the-road rom-com.

Rated: C

Jul 14, 2020

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Mary J

This movie should be titled “Lisa Leaves And Lisa Returns Again”. One of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

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Efrem M

Really bad. The story made almost no sense. Waste of a great cast.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

Full Review

Frederik J

The dialogue, script, and plot is a complete mess. All timing in the dialogue just seems so weird. The actors overact and seems in general looney the entire film. I recommend it for a laugh because it is so incoherent. No normal situation or reaction takea place or plays out during the entire film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

C L

This movie is not good, or bad. The scenes are not thoroughly played out, and the acting isn't inspired. But somehow, that feels very real in our current climate. I didn't see this when it came out, because I had a baby and missed a few years of my life, but every character in this story is going through there own version of hell and self reckoning, so i feel like i might have waited until the perfect time. Worth watching now, i would have hated it earlier.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/25

Full Review

Matteo G

I think it is one of the worst movies i have seen..very difficult to get to the end, what about softball? i think i have laughed maybe once? terrible

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

Rhys L

Great cast, but meandering script & limited bite. Pretty rubbish.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

Full Review

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James L. Brooks

Director

Reese Witherspoon

Lisa

Owen Wilson

Matty

Paul Rudd

George

Jack Nicholson

Charles

Kathryn Hahn

Annie

How Do You Know: Official Clip - You're a Moron!

1:24

How Do You Know: Official Clip - I Bribed an Egyptian

3:02

How Do You Know: Official Clip - You Didn't Get It?!

4:24

How Do You Know: Official Clip - Temporary Amnesia

3:44

How Do You Know: Official Clip - Can I Come Over?

2:01

How Do You Know: Official Clip - You Love Me Too

2:43

How Do You Know: Official Clip - The Play-Doh Story

2:21

How Do You Know: Official Clip - A Confident Break-up

1:10

How Do You Know: Official Clip - Awkward Date

3:21

How Do You Know: Official Clip - Sexy Clapping

1:11

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Synopsis

Lisa Jorgenson's (Reese Witherspoon) entire life has been defined by softball, but at 31, she is deemed too old to play and cut from the team. After being cast adrift, she begins a fling with Matty (Owen Wilson), a charming womanizer who plays professional baseball. About the same time, she goes on a blind date with George (Paul Rudd), a businessman on the hook for stock fraud. Caught in a romantic triangle with the two men, Lisa ponders the meaning of love.

Director: James L. Brooks
Producer: James L. Brooks, Paula Weinstein, Laurence Mark, Julie Ansell
Screenwriter: James L. Brooks
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Production Co: Gracie Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Strong Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 22, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $30.2M
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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