MOVIE NIGHT
THE UGLY TRUTH (2009)
The Ugly Truth is one in a relatively long line of enjoyable chick flicks, with a trustworthy performance by Katherine Heigl and a surprising role by Gerard Butler as the main male heart-throb. It's set in Sacramento where Abby Richter (Heigl) works as the producer of a morning show, a job she loves and is willing to do anything for. Unfortunately, the show hasn't been doing too well lately and is on the verge of being cancelled. In a last attempt to boost the ratings, Abby's boss decides to hire Mike Chadway (Butler), a guy who has his own TV show on a local cable channel in which he talks about the ugly truth: men only think about and want sex, and romance is officially dead, whatever women might think. This goes against everything Abby believes in, so it's no wonder she and Mike can't stand one another. Until Mike decides to help Abby with her crush on her neighbour, a handsome doctor, just to prove that he knows exactly how a man's mind works.
Over the past decade or so, Heigl has become most well-known for her leading roles in various romantic comedies, including 27 Dresses and Life As We Know It'. Even though The Ugly Truth is definitely not one of her best films, it is still enjoyable and quite funny. I was personally surprised by Butler, who does a great job portraying Mike Chadway, a character women want to hate but somehow there's just something about him that makes him intriguing. I wasn't convinced by Butler's suitability for romantic films after seeing PS. I Love You, but this film managed to change my mind. Some might say the plotline of the film is predictable, but as long as it's done well and manages to entertain me that is something that doesn't particularly bother me. The Ugly Truth is perhaps not one of the most memorable romantic comedies, but it's fun and entertaining and managed to make me laugh; definitely a good pick for a girls' night in.
Movie reviewed by Jody Hoekstra