Duo à trois

"Something Borrowed" is a predictable interpretation on a love triangle story that's as old as the ages. Girl likes boy, boy likes girl, girls best friend steals boy, boy and girl eventually get together. This movie is suitable for a girls night in with a couple bottles of wine. Being a guy, this movie was actually quite enjoyable. A bit dialogue heavy and not enough car chases, but enjoyable none the less. Actress Ginnifer Goodwin plays the lovable geek Rachel with Colin Egglesfield playing the love interest, Dex. Kate Hudson plays the vampy best friend Darcy and to round up the cast, John Krasinski, as the offbeat comedic relief complete with devastating one-liners.

The idea that 'best friends are forever' are tested in this movie filled with infidelity. The premise is that Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) falls in love with Dex (Colin Egglesfield) during their stint in college. One night over drinks, Darcy is introduced to the mix and the dynamic between all three changes. Rachel maintains the pent up affection for Dex whom she cannot have. Darcy continues blissfully unaware. Dex reciprocates Rachel's pent up longing.

Stylistically, the movie should attract Sex and the City devotees with all the urban shots of downtown nightclubbing and long strolls through filled city streets. Complete with shots in the Hamptons and London, England, Carrie from Sex and the City would approve.

Predictable story and ending not withholding, "Something Borrowed" is enjoyable to watch, but only if you have an hour and a half to kill. My girlfriend commented that the book was much better than the movie. Well played roles by Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski keep the viewer engaged and entertained. I give this movie three and a half wine glasses for the girls and two beer bottles for the guys.

I somewhat already knew that this was going to be a bad movie, even before watching it. I've disliked most rom-coms that have starred Kate Hudson. Not because she was in them but because the movies were quite bad. The actress has proved that she can act but her film choices have been dreadful. I would have avoided 'Something Borrowed' but I couldn't resist because of Ginnifer Goodwin who's one of the most interesting actresses of her generation and she's very cute.

Now to start, what's wrong with 'Something Borrowed'? Oh there're just so many things...the writing is awful and the direction lacks focus. The writer and director don't shy away from implying that anything you do for the sake of feelings, whether it's right or wrong, is okay, no matter who gets hurt. Rachel and Darcy are supposed to be lifelong friends albeit Darcy is more of a toxic friend. Yet, Rachel and Dex romance each other trying to figure out their feelings. So if the romance didn't work out, was Dex supposed to just go ahead and marry Darcy after sleeping with Rachel??? I mean, dude, just break off your engagement then figure out whatever. This is just one of the many problems here.

The characterization is messy. Darcy is pretty much the caricature bitchy toxic friend. I can't even begin to understand what anyone would find appealing in someone like Marcus, let alone be friends with him. I don't even know where to start with Dex and Rachel. They're supposed to be the good guys but I didn't think so.

The story itself is one cliché after another: New York setting, rich good-looking people, lavish locations, etc.

Ginnifer Goodwin does a decent job with what she's given. She's limited by the lacklustre writing. Ditto for Kate Hudson. Goodwin looks great (better then Hudson's 'Darcy' who's supposed to be the hotter one). John Krasinski is the only one who gets a decently written role and he does a good job.

Anyway, 'Something Borrowed' is definitely something to avoid.

Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Darcy (Kate Hudson) are life long friends. Dex (Colin Egglesfield) was Rachel's college friend when Darcy budded in. Now Darcy and Dex are about to get married. But Rachel still has feelings for Dex and they sleep together.

This movie has 2 problems and 1 great positive.

Colin Egglesfield is a horribly bland lead. It's unbelievable that two great girls are battling over him. John Krasinski is an infinitely better lead. There are countless others that would be a vast improvement. Although Krasinski and Ashley Williams have some funny jokes.

Second problem is that Rachel jumped into bed with Dex so early. It puts her in a moral deficit right off the bat. It makes rooting for her next to impossible.

The one great positive is Ginnifer Goodwin. She pulls off the impossible by being such a sweetheart. I can't help but root for her no matter what. I don't think the movie people actually questioned the premise. At least, they could have given GG the moral high grounds.

This is a pretty good example of a modern romantic comedy. It's less of a comedy but enjoyable nonetheless, made that way by the star, Ginnifer Goodwin.

I can say that this is the first film where I have decided to buy a ticket based solely on the presence in it of Ginnifer Goodwin. I wasn't disappointed. She is luminous in most of the scenes she's in - and there are a lot of them considering she's the central character. She's never looked more alluring, more beautiful. But it's her delivery of the material that's the most satisfying. She is just a truly wonderful actress and she breathes real life into the part of Rachel, making us truly her ally in helping her achieve success and happiness.

Goodwin is solidly backed by the lovely Kate Hudson as Darcy. Hudson is in perhaps her best performance as an over the top, somewhat obnoxious, intellectually challenged, manic blond filled with an almost mean-spirited, selfish self-interest. She is on the border of mercilessly taunting Goodwin's character in much of the film and Goodwin, playing ever the gracious friend, puts up with her friends excesses. The graciousness meets it's biggest challenge when her college study mate Dex, played by Colin Egglesfield, is swept out from under Rachel by the overbearing Darcy, who always gets what she wants.

The interplay between these two actresses is a definite cut above the usual silliness of romantic comedies and Goodwin comes off looking much the better of the two, but that may be partly due to the greater sympathetic nature of her character. If you really watch Hudson she's riveting in places.

The men in this offering, Egglesfield, John Krasinski and Steve Howey do their level best to provide counterpoint to the two leading ladies, but ultimately it's all about the girls. Krasinski is the most watchable, and likely the better actor but Howey adds some oddball charm that also makes it a better film. At one point Hudson refers to him as a caveman; that's an apt description.

Finally, there is a character named Claire played to a turn by the terminally cute Ashley Williams. She's fun to watch.

All-in-all it's a good movie to take your favorite girl to.

By Bruce L. Jones http://webpages.charter.net/bruce.jones1/

Overall I can see why this movie got bad reviews and wasn't a hit. The story is more painful and unpleasant than entertaining. The characters are not interesting and you don't feel for any of them especially Ginnifer's character who isn't very endearing. She falls in love with her best friend's fiancé - what's to like? It is a waste of a good cast. Colin isn't that hot that he is so out of Ginnifer's league. Kate's character is slightly irritating. And John's is just plain lame. The missed opportunity is a bit of a silly thing to be a central story line. Don't bother with this one even if you are a fan of the actors - it's just a silly story about nothing much. It's a movie that didn't have to be made.