Hollywood seems to know that audiences don't really like cheaters and it solves this in one simple way. The character being cheated on is a vapid, self-obsessed asshole who wasn't really in love with his or her philandering partner anyway. The problem with this story line is that if someone was really such a cold-hearted and wretched person, what is their partner the all around good guy/girl doing with them in the first place? At least that's the issue with Something Borrowed. Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin-who has found her niche as the dowdy doormat) is 30 and single, meanwhile her best friend, Darcy ( Kate Hudson-who has found her niche as the bitchy airhead) is marrying her (Rachel's) longtime crush, Dexter (Colin Egglesfield). After some ill advised drinks Rachel and Dexter hook up and start a 'torrid' affair. The rest of the film is Rachel moping around, Darcy flitting around, Dexter sniffling and whining around and Ethan (John Krasinski), Rachel's friend and sole voice of reason, telling everyone what idiots they are (he's not wrong). The issue is not necessarily that this film is about characters who have an affair, it's that it's impossible to like any of these characters. Rachel, Dexter and Darcy are all so childish and mean to each other, that at least this viewer really wished they would all end up alone. But the absolute worst moment in this atrocity passed of as a movie was the ending. Darcy admits that she cheated on Dexter and is pregnant, then finds out about Dexter and Rachel and is, understandably, angry, just not angry enough. By the end she's forgiven all and Dex and Rachel ride off into the metaphorical sunset with no consequences, doubts or apologies, into what will surely be the most boring relationship ever. Romantic comedies have never been the beacon of morality or genuine character studies but even the tiniest dose of reality would aid this film (if it can be called that) greatly. I do not know any woman (or man) who would return to being friends with someone who broke up their engagement. Even if everyone really was better off in the end there would still be raw emotions and some awkward meetings. Furthermore, Rachel is as empty headed and cold as Darcy, so there is no reason for her to win the 'prize' that is Dex, and the fact that a man is a prize at all is questionable but that's a topic for another post. In the end this film is supposed to be about friendship but with friends like these, who needs enemies?
Bottom Line: Life is short, don't waste any time on this! Also, to Kate Hudson, next time your agent offers you a rom-com, back slowly away! Do it for us!
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