Sometimes romantic comedies can really fall into a “predictability” trap and fail to deliver any sort of substance, relying heavily on overused cliches and situations, and the only thing, besides a great performance from the cast, that can save the movie is a top-notch script…and sadly, I can’t say that Someone Like You managed to do that.

The movie never really took off for me. The romance nor the pain never reached the point of engaging my interest enough to really care about it. I really like Greg Kinnear as an actor and love most, if not all, of his movies, and so it was real hard to see him in this one, especially as the hated “heartbreaker.” I couldn’t help but think of him in the quirky, funny, genius way that I normally do, so I didn’t buy him as the bad guy, even though the movie would want you to hate him, I secretly loved him. I actually like when movies feature actors in a much different role than what the American audience is used to seeing them in, but with Greg Kinnear, it didn’t work for me. The script wasn’t strong enough to make me hate him, I mean, come on, did you see Little Miss Sunshine?

I do have to honestly admit that I am a small closet Ashley Judd fan and I know that may cause some of you to question my credibility (like you don’t already do that), but as for an emotional actress, she can REALLY bring on the tears. I really liked her in Where the Heart Is with Natalie Portman, I thought she played that white-trash-on-the-outside-yet-high-class-on-the-inside very well and honestly. She did have a few highlight scenes that I may have giggled about out loud, 1 being the cheer scene when the “other woman” walks out of the bedroom wearing only a sheet, and the other being the scene in the hospital with her sister as she comforts her; both scenes showed her range of humility and vulnerability, which totally defines her roles.

Hugh Jackman turns in a typical “sexist” role and doesn’t ever really grab me with anything. It was a little refreshing to see him open up and expose a softer side when he talks about his breakup, but it was for only a second and then it was quickly covered up by him walking around his loft wearing only boxer briefs…good grief.

This was a movie that I’m sure was forgotten when it came out because of its predictability and its cookie-cutter formulaic approach to the romantic comedy genre.

Content Warning: Rated PG-13 for sexual content including dialogue, and for some language. There’s not much to worry about in this movie, but say for a couple of scenes that quickly show Hugh Jackman without a shirt and wearing only boxer briefs.

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