He's Just Not That Into You

Director: Ken Kwapis Ken Kwapis

Overview

Ken Kwapis' adaptation of Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo's best-selling self-help book He's Just Not That Into You follows the love lives of a dozen or so characters. Ginnifer Goodwin stars as Gigi, a young woman attempting to understand the mixed signals she gets from the men she's dating. She gets advice from a bar owner (Justin Long) who prides himself on understanding the ins and outs of the dating scene. Gigi's co-worker Janine (Jennifer Connelly) finds herself involved in a major redecorating project with her husband, Ben (Bradley Cooper). Unbeknownst to Janine, Ben contemplates an affair with Anna (Scarlett Johansson), an attractive woman trying to make a career as a singer. Another of Gigi's friends at work, Beth (Jennifer Aniston), enjoys a successful, healthy relationship with Neil (Ben Affleck), but storm clouds hover over them as he has no interest in getting married. Kris Kristofferson co-stars as Beth's father.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2009
UPC:	0794043123238
Original Release:	2009
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	New Line Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:09:00
Sales rank:	22,002

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ben Affleck	Neil
Jennifer Aniston	Beth
Drew Barrymore	Mary
Jennifer Connelly	Janine
Kevin Connolly	Conor
Bradley Cooper	Ben
Ginnifer Goodwin	Gigi
Scarlett Johansson	Anna
Kris Kristofferson	Ken Murphy
Justin Long	Alex
Cliff Eidelman	Composer

Technical Credits

Abby Kohn

Marc Silverstein

Greg Behrendt

Liz Tuccillo

Ken Kwapis	Director
Abby Kohn	Screenwriter
Marc Silverstein	Screenwriter
Drew Barrymore	Executive Producer,Producer
Toby Emmerich	Executive Producer,Producer
Michele Weiss	Executive Producer,Producer
Michael Beugg	Executive Producer,Producer
Nancy Juvonen	Producer
Greg Behrendt	Screenwriter
Liz Tuccillo	Screenwriter
Michael Disco	Producer
Gwenn Stroman	Producer
Jed M. Dodge	Sound Effects
Justine Baddeley	Casting

Scene Index

table of contents

Introduction by Liz

Introduction by Greg

You Are All Dating the Same Guy

1 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Not Asking You Out

2 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Not Calling You

3 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Not Dating You

4 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Not Having Sex with You

5 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Having Sex with Someone Else

6 He's Just Not That Into You If He Only Wants to See You When He's Drunk

7 He's Just Not That Into You If He Doesn't Want to Marry You

8 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Breaking Up with You

9 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Disappeared on You

10 He's Just Not That Into You If He's Married (and Other Insane Variations of Being Unavailable)

11 He's Just Not That Into You If He's a Selfish Jerk, a Bully, or a Really Big Freak

12 Don't Listen to These Stories

13 Now What Do You Do?

14 Q&A with Greg

15 Closing Remarks from Greg

16 Closing Remarks from Liz

Editorial Reviews

You can reasonably expect that a romantic comedy based on a self-help book, which was itself based on a single line from an episode of Sex and the City, might not have anything new to say about the battle of the sexes -- especially when the title is as sickeningly hip as He's Just Not That Into You. And while Ken Kwapis' movie certainly comes weighed down with observations and insights recycled from thousands of other romantic comedies, he at least manages to shape them into something entertaining, if not in any way essential. If you know you're dealing with overly familiar dialogue, then you'd better put it in the mouths of actors who, through sheer personality, can do something unique with it, and hiring Ginnifer Goodwin as your ingenue starts you off on the right foot. As Gigi, a naïve twentysomething single girl unable to read the signs that the men she's interested in just aren't interested in her, Goodwin exudes positivity without being cloying, and sadness without being pitiful. The scenes charting her slow courtship with emotionally detached bar manager Alex (Justin Long) are the best in the movie because the two have genuine chemistry -- they are easily the standouts of a large cast. That's not to say that any of the other actors embarrass themselves: Ben Affleck shows off his laid-back charm; Bradley Cooper impresses as a cheating husband who stays likable even when he knows he's screwing up; and Scarlett Johansson offers up another subtle variation on the carnal goddess archetype she's already perfected. Kwapis' skill as a television director serves him well with this material -- he knows how to keep the multiple storylines moving, without sacrificing quality screen time for any of the performers. The movie hums along like a solidly built clock, but there's just nothing surprising or new -- anybody who gets ill at the prospect of sitting through a chick flick should avoid it at all costs. That said, there is something so thoroughly adequate about the whole project, it's hard to deny that it "works." There's tons of professionalism in He's Just Not That Into You, but it lacks passion -- they should have called it "Like, Actually."

Adult/High School-With a bright, breezy style, the authors highlight a list of actions that men take to demonstrate that they are "just not into you," using "Dear Greg" letters and replies, unscientific polls of men, lists reviewing the key points in each chapter, a comic glossary, and laugh-out-loud workbook assignments. Although this book is meant for the 20-plus career women who have been dating for a while, the empowering message that a woman deserves a man who truly loves her and not one that she must constantly make excuses for can't be learned too early.-Jane S. Drabkin, Chinn Park Regional Library, Woodbridge, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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