GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST (REVIEW)
This
is a conventional by-the-numbers chick flick that becomes acceptable due to the
actors only, not the preposterous storyline that has been inspired, or should
I say ripped off from Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol'.
Matthew
McConaughy is the scrooge when it comes to commitment. He plays Conner Mead, an
egocentric snake and womaniser who in the name of casual sex has bedded more than
his share of beautiful ladies. At a pre wedding dinner for his little brother,
Conner drunkenly goes on about what a mistake it is to tie the knot but for the
first time, he has a foil - a good girl and childhood friend who can possibly
change his heartless ways.
Soon after this, however, is when
Conner is visited by the lovely and talented Emma Stone - a young actress last
seen in 'House Bunny'. She takes him on a tour of his eventful love life past,
present and future. An outrage according to Conner when confronted by his hundreds
of former conquests he either brushed aside or showed no respect towards.
The
array of lovers, both living and dead, try to teach him a lesson on feelings but
this preposterous premise seems to be only opening the door to a series of sleazy
unfunny jokes. The highlight is when Conner catches up with his late Uncle Wayne,
the hilarious 64 year old Michael Douglas at his absolute best. A former lothario
with flowing hair and wearing his big Hollywood style glasses, he attempts to
set the record straight about what true love really is to his nephew.
McConaughy
is the master of rom-coms, he has swagger and big eyed charm even while playing
a jerk such as Conner is. Co-stars Jennifer Garner as 'the one' Jenny and Breckin
Meyer look sharp, while veteran Robert Forster is a compulsive presence in a minor
role.
The comic moments throughout are fairly routine, from
near misses of falling wedding cakes to a runaway champagne bottle, this flawed
chick flick heads towards the obligatory happy ending quicker than you can say
'I Do'.
Shane A. Bassett
