O Jogo do Amor - Ódio

This is a film adaptation of the romantic comedy book by the same title The Hating Game. The general plot is one about two executive assistants (Lucy and Josh) for the two co-directors of the merged organization of two fundamentally different publishing companies who now work together sharing the same small office...and who hate each other.

This film takes place right before Thanksgiving and going into the holiday season, allowing for Christmas decor without being in your face about the holidays. It also starts with Lucy, played by the actress Lucy Hale, giving us a little run down on why she hates Josh and some of the games they play with each other. A new promotional position is announced that both Lucy and Josh want...and it is game on.

Great banter...wonderful hate to love romance that has some pride and prejudice vibes to it. Wonderful chemistry between our two main characters.

This film made me realize how much I love the hate to love trope!

Sweet, funny, biting dialogue...I highly recommend and will watch it again!

The only scene I did wholeheartedly enjoy was the paintball scene, but that was because it was a little hard to keep track of who was who and what was happening...but it was brief and lead to some very sweet scenes between Lucy, Josh and Patrick (Josh's brother).

I loved Josh's nickname of shortcake for Lucy...and the green paint...just melt my heart. Loved it!

Was it really that hard to add 20/30 minutes to the movie and actually get their dynamic right?

First off, why do they keep making movies this short when there's actual material to add to the storyline?

Second, they really did not get the relationship right. Part of why the book is so loved is because of how their relationship progress. They switched small moments between them that are key part of the relationship development for useless comedic bits.

I won't say anything bad about the performances, the dislike is not geared towards them.

I think that when you do a movie based on such a well known book, you should try to identify the core scenes and feelings that those scenes transmit, and sadly they didn't do it in this case. Probably most of the hate the movie will get is from the book readers, maybe the rest of the people won't mind it.

Anyhow, to round this up, this movie was not my favourite obviously.

One doesn't tune in to movies like this for the plot, or some earthshaking message. This isn't Hemmingway, or Tolstoy, and the reviews that trash flicks like this are easily ignored.

This Rom-Com follows the same cookie-cutter plot formula one sees on Hallmark, but the writing and execution are far more adult, and the character interactions haven't been sanitized into oblivion. This isn't a movie for children or grandma, due to the inclusion of R-rated language and the sexual content, although that is not gratuitous or graphic in any sense.

The chemistry between the leads is present, so by comparison, that clearly shines. You'll find much deeper chemistry elsewhere, but the mere presence of a somewhat realistic connection between the leads makes this flick shine when compared to the dull, wooden exchanges one finds portrayed in the movies this film will be compared to.

The supporting cast matches up, even though a couple are mere cut-outs, but overall, the hour and a half was entertaining, even though we know how the story is going to end as soon as it begins, but that's not the point of films such as this.

Points for originality, nope. Clever plot with a unique twist? No. Hilarious. Not really. Memorable acting? Naw. Charming and enjoyable? Absolutely. This movie isn't going to win any awards but I liked it very much. If you are a sucker for cheesy romantic comedies like I am (actually not meant as a diss) watch this because it was entertaining and really cute.

At first glance it seems like the typical and predictable romcom but it had me pleasantly surprised. Think I had a smile on my face throughout the whole movie.

The two leads played off each other so well with such charm and chemistry.

Probably one of my favorite romcom's from the last couple of years!