The Ugly Truth (R)
Mike:
Mike: Tonight I am reviewing The Ugly Truth, about the relationship between a beautiful unlucky in love TV producer and the chauvinistic host brought in to boost the show from its slump.
Scott was unable to attend.
I liked this film even though it as predictable as the vast majority of romantic comedies. Predictable doesn’t mean that it can’t be funny or entertaining. Or both. This movie made me laugh many times. The audience howled in two or three places where I literally couldn’t hear the dialogue for the rest of the scene. Unlike most comedies of this genre this film is R-rated, which actually works in its favor. Most of the comedy comes from rude language or sexual situations. If that’s not your speed then this may not be for you.
Katherine Heigl plays Abby, the control freak producer of a Sacramento morning show. Even though she is obviously gorgeous, it looks like her personality has kept her from having a decent date in some time. She dreams of Mr Right and perfect relationships. Heigl does a pretty good job here. Lately, her character of Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy had turned me off so much, that I was not really interested in seeing her in another motion picture. Luckily Heigl’s charm shines through and you find you enjoy spending 90 minutes with her. It doesn’t hurt that as she makes a transformation that she goes from being pretty to stunning.
The other half of this comedy is Gerard Butler as Mike Chadway, an obnoxious cable shock jock host brought in to boost the morning shows ratings. It’s obvious from the moment he walks in that this is going to be an oil and water relationship with Abby. Mike may or not be as crude as his persona, but he does seem to know what he’s talking about. Throughout the movie Butler continually reminded me of a younger pre-DUI Mel Gibson. Believe me that’s a good thing. At least he doesn’t scream his dialogue here. “This is not Sparta!”
Cheryl Hines and John Michael Higgins round out the cast as Georgia and Larry the married hosts of the morning show. Unfortunately neither one ends up as funny as we have seen them in the past.
Also, Entourage fans get Kevin Connolly(E) in another romantic comedy. Just don’t blink or you will miss him! Look out for Craig Ferguson playing himself in a cameo. Just remember a Scottish accent makes everything seem funnier.
Of course after Mike joins the show, the ratings do improve. It seems that people looking for relationship advice do want to hear what the Howard Sterns of the world have to say. Mike bets Abby that he can help her reel in her handsome neighbor, a doctor. In Cyrano-like fashion he guides her to a first date and beyond. Well, as I already warned you this movie is nothing if not predictable, so you can all guess where this is going. Here’s a hint: opposites attract. Also remember that I said this is funny in spite of that. Watch out for a scene in a tree, a baseball game and in a restaurant. And in one case a character who you will be certain is gay turns out not to be.
Director Robert Luketic has made me laugh in the past with Legally Blonde and Monster-in –Law. Surprisingly he is also the director of the card counting drama 21, so maybe he does romantic comedies because he wants to.
I give this a movie a 3 out of 5 overall and a 3 for romantic comedy. As far as Katherine Heigl comedies go, this is not as good as Knocked Up, but thankfully it’s not 27 Dresses either.
