Reviewed by Kate Rodger
Actress Katherine Heigl has become, of late, singlehandedly responsible for several of my most expletive-riddled post-movie outbursts, sapping my reviewer’s will to live (Killers anyone?).
So it was with a heavy heart I slowly walked into the cinema for her latest “romantic-comedy”, Life as We Know it. But the one thing I do love about movies is their power to surprise.
And surprise, surprise, I actually quite liked this one.
Heigl (The Ugly Truth/Killers) and hot Josh Duhamel of Transformers fame play Holly and Messer, the best friends of a married couple. They tried to date once, it was a disaster, and they now only just tolerate each other for the sake of their friends.
Then the unthinkable happens, and the pair is suddenly lumped together, unwitting, unwilling and inexperienced parents to wee baby Sophie.
They move into the family home, their single lives turned upside down as they’re forced to share the duty of raising Sophie.
Stereotypically, Holly is the responsible one, who has her own bakery, who doesn’t sleep around, and is intent on dating her doctor (Josh Lucas). Messer, equally as stereotypically, is a ridiculously good-looking womanizer, who works for a sports TV network and has no intention of settling down.
The obvious unlikely romance scenario is telegraphed from the get-go, but for once, thanks to their onscreen chemistry and the crisp pace of the script, I didn’t mind the journey to its obvious conclusion.
Interestingly, the more redeeming features of this clichéd outing, are the bit-players. The snappy interaction between the neighbours and friends of the couple I found quite entertaining.
It’s fair to say this movie is aimed fair and square at females, with much of the baby humour targeting parents. And the one thing this movie does get right is the man-candy. As accused as I may be of objectifying the humble male, it’s a risk I am prepared to live with; the two Josh’s in this movie are worth double the ticket price before they utter a single word.
Sorry guys, three and a half stars.
Life As We Know It
:: Director: Greg Berlanti
:: Starring: Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Christina Hendricks, Josh Lucas, Jean Smart, Majandra Delfino
:: Running Time: 114 mins
:: Rating: M - Contains Sexual References
:: Release Date: October 21, 2010
:: Trailer: Watch here
