Movie:The Ugly Truth

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerald Butler

Director: Robert Luketic

Genre: Comedy

A romantically-challenged morning show producer (Katherine Heigl) is embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

Release Date: 10-Sep-2009

Language: English

Distributor: Sony Pictures

Synopsis:

Synopsis – A romantically challenged morning show producer (Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

My Comment/Review(s):

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Gerald Butler, Bree Turner, Eric Turner, Bonnie Somerville

Abby Richter (Heigl) is an award-winning producer whose morning show, although filled with thought-provoking journalistic segments, is not attracting the viewers. To her dismay, her bosses decide to sensationalize her show by teaming her with Mike Chadway (Butler), a crude TV personality who bluntly talks about relationships on his late-night programme, The Ugly Truth.

Abby feels that Mike is over-rated even though she is unlucky in love herself. So to prove that his theories are right, he helps Abby hook up with her sexy neighbour Colin (Winter), following his un-chauvinistic rules. To her surprise, it works but a love triangle evolves. Naturally, as in all romantic comedies, there is no such thing as platonic help.

The Ugly Truth would have been a whole lot better if there was an ounce of chemistry between Abby and Mike. Maybe it's poor editing or choppy storytelling, but the romance hardly seems to be there and there is no indication or suggestion that they even remotely like each other until pretty late in the movie – and then, it seems to have crept in by accident.

The failure to create any chemistry between the characters aside, this romantic comedy is on point with decent acting, eye candy and great supporting characters.

Bree Turner is excellent as Joy, Abby’s cute, bubbly and efficient associate producer who lives vicariously through her boss’ life, and really enhances the show with her perfect comedic timing. Winter perfectly epitomizes the surface aspects of a perfect boyfriend, since Colin is smart, handsome and dresses well.

The Ugly Truth works the romantic comedy formula pretty well and is worth catching if you just want a leisurely watch. And of course, you should watch it to see if Mike’s theories about women ring true for you. Do his stereotyped views have a ring of truth? Is it right for women to think they can change the men in their lives, or are men unchangeable?

Although the movie may feel rushed and a little confusing, that is because it tries to say a lot in such a short time. You should get its point by the end though.

Making The Grade: