Something Borrowed Directed by: Luke Greenfield Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski Rating: PG-13 Release Date: June 10, 2011
TRAILER SCORE: 2/10
MY THOUGHTS: Before the trailer even started, I was already torn. Ginnifer Goodwin is about as cute as a button and a truly talented actress. Then we've got Kate Hudson, who's beginning to look more and more like her mother Goldie Hawn (and not in a good way) and hasn't done a solid movie since Almost Famous.
Those reservations aside, this looks like one of the worst contributions to the dying breed of the romantic comedy. I mean, seriously is the something borrowed in the title a reference to the fact that this movie steals every basic plot element to the worst romantic comedies? But it's not even the fact that it's not a very original story. Based on the trailer alone, they've already given away too much. I'm sure there will be some complications along the way, but I have serious issues believing that Ginnifer Goodwin won't get the guy.
These types of movies tend to privilege certain characters, even in the trailer, by fleshing them out more and making them more sympathetic. Darcy practices crying and says she "thinks" she loves the guy, which are all played for cheap laughs, but really they flesh her out as one thing and one thing only. She's a bit of a bitch. I'm sure that's what they're trying to drive home, but even based on the trailer, they're stuck at an impasse.
Either the horrible, shrewish woman gets the guy, which sends a pretty awful message to women everywhere, or I was right all along, in which case, why should I bother seeing the movie? Granted, they're two extreme options, but neither one is terribly compelling. It's a shame to see Ginnifer Goodwin pick such a dud, but even if she turns in as fantastic of a performance as she does on Big Love, it doesn't seem like there's much to save this one.