MOVIE NIGHT


HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (2003)

A popular storyline within the worlds of both chick lit and chick flicks is the competition between men and women; the always ongoing battle of the sexes. It's a topic that plays a central role in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and has been executed in an enjoyable and funny way. Benjamin Barry, known as Ben, (Matthew McConaughey) works within the world of advertising and is a true ladies' man. In order to head a big advertising campaign he has his eye on, he makes a bet that he can make any random woman fall in love with him in just 10 days. At the other side of New York City, we are introduced to Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a journalist who writes the 'How to' column for Composure magazine. For her latest assignment she will have to use all the classic mistakes women make which cause a guy to run away as fast as they can, because she has to write an article on how to lose a guy in 10 days. Two of Ben's co-workers happen to overhear Andie and her colleagues talking and they decide to set Ben and Andie up with one another: a guy who has 10 days to make a girl fall in love with him, and a girl who has 10 days to make a guy run away from her as fast as possible... Let the games begin!


This film, which was directed by Donald Petrie, did not receive a lot of absolutely positive reviews when it was released, which I have to admit surprised me because I honestly loved it. I thought the plotline was quite original (I hadn't seen anything like it before) with two great main characters. The chemistry between Hudson and McConaughey wasn't sparking off the screen, but their characters were portrayed in a great way and the situations in which they find themselves in made me laugh out loud multiple times. The film is actually based on a book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: the Universal Don'ts of Dating), which I'm quite curious about after having seen the film. Overall, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is a delightful, funny, feel-good romantic comedy about the battle of the sexes, and a must-see for chick flick lovers!


Movie reviewed by Jody Hoekstra

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