Barbara Walters Meets Larry the Cable Guy

Katherine Heigl best known for her TV show, Grey’s Anatomy and films, “27 Dresses” (2007) and “Knocked Up” (2008) stars as the independent and beautiful TV producer Abby, with a type A personality. Let’s just say she has to be in control and wants everything to be perfect. She even has a checklist for her idea of the ‘perfect man.’ Gerard Butler, whose films are “300” (2006), “P.S. I Love You” (2007) and Nim’s Island (2008) co-stars as Mike an unconventional, improper womanizer with his own set of crude rules regarding the perfect woman. Mike is the host of a cable show called, The Ugly Truth revolving around his uncouth ideas about dating. Shortly, he’s hired by Abby’s prime-time network station to help raise their declining ratings. The director is Robert Luketic of mega-hit, “Legally Blonde” (2001) and “21” (2008).

Mike and Abby are like oil and water. However, Abby starts to warm up to Mike as she needs his help in capturing her idea of the perfect man she has just met, which just so happens to be her neighbor. A deal is made as Mike practically guarantees success. Both spend time together lunching, shopping and reenacting scenarios to insure the end result. Abby starts to fall for Mike and vice versa.

What works well in this light Rom-Com are the lead characters. Both carry the film and are on-screen most of the time. The minor characters are minor. Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm) stands out a bit as the married news anchor but all and all its Butler and Heigl leading the charge. They do have great chemistry and comedic timing, both are enjoyable and entertaining to view.

What I didn’t like was the constant use of the ‘f-bomb’ as well as other crude language that is really unnecessary. The crude language seemed forced and contrived, particularly when Heigl’s character was talking. The story-line is artificial as it’s not every day that the handsome, perfect doctor just so happens to be your next door neighbor. And what’s with showing a guy’s naked rear end all about? Seems like this is becoming the norm in Rom-Com’s, again, not necessary.

Remember the famous restaurant scene in “When Harry Met Sally”? The one in which Meg Ryan is showing Billy Crystal how a girl can fake her way through a love-making session. Well, something of that nature is recreated in this film with a pair of remote-controlled battery operated underwear. The idea was interesting enough but how in the world Heigl manages to wear them to a business dinner while a curious kid at another table has control of the remote, is simply too manufactured and unbelievable. It was a funny scene, but went on for way too long.

A favorite scene was the salsa dancing between the pair at the chic romantic restaurant. Heigl looked amazing and the two worked so well together, never missing a beat. Butler, ruggedly handsome spun his magic and charm as the audience begins to see the true chemistry between the pair. Yes, by this time we are rooting for them and hope to see all of their pent up emotion played out.

Bottom-line, a great couple to view on-screen, Heigl does have a better script than “27 Dresses” she just needs to take it up another notch and stay away from the crude language; it doesn’t suit her.

Sarah Adamson © 2009