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Ghosts Of Girlfriend Past is pretty much the same old romantic comedy jazz, predictable, silly and paint-by-numbers unoriginal, but it is also a fairly fun and inventive version of a well worn theme with some nicely judged performances and a few twists which keep things interesting. It's ... Read review
Matthew McConaughey has got the role of sexy, carefree bachelor perfected, and he gives ... more
his many admirers just want they want in this romantic comedy from director Mark Waters (MEAN GIRLS). McConaughey stars as Connor Mead, a man who arrives at his bro...
Matthew McConaughey has got the role of sexy, carefree bachelor perfected, and he gives ... more
his many admirers just want they want in this romantic comedy from director Mark Waters (MEAN GIRLS). McConaughey stars as Connor Mead, a man who arrives at his bro...
Celebrity photographer Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) loves freedom fun and women in ... more
that order. A committed bachelor with a no-strings policy he thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call while prepping his next date. Connor's brother Paul is more the romantic type. In fact he's about to be married. Unfortunately on the eve of the big event Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for Paul the wedding party and a houseful of well-wishers including Connor's childhood friend Jenny (Jennifer Garner) the one woman in his life who has always seemed immune to his considerable charm. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding he gets a wake-up call from the ghost of his late Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas) the hard-partying legendary ladies man upon whose exploits Connor has modeled his lifestyle. Uncle Wayne has an urgent message for his protege which he delivers through the ghosts of Connor's jilted girlfriends past present and future who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through a lifetime of failed relationships. Together they will discover what turned Connor into such a shameless player and whether he has a second chance to find and this time keep the love of his life.
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Jennifer Garner's Face Disadvantages: Pretty Much Everything Else
...accountable...
Ghosts Of Girlfriend Past is pretty much the same old romantic comedy jazz, predictable, silly and paint-by-numbers unoriginal, but it is also a fairly fun and inventive version of a well worn theme with some nicely judged performances and a few twists which keep things interesting. It's hardly grounbreaking and fails to provide anything truly moving or engrossing but its just about charming enough to get by unscathed ... .../>
The main problem with Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is that it never really gets away from the slightly misogynistic and unpleasant undertones which lay beneath all the schmaltz and decelerations of true love. Connor isn't a very nice person, he treats people badly and doesn't care about other peoples feelings, yet we are supposed to root for him as a romantic lead; he is supposed to find redemption in the knowledge that he does actually love somebody, ... more
Connor Mead loves his life; he gets all the beautiful women he wants, he has a great job as a fashion photographer and enjoys the bachelor lifestyle. But when his younger brother decides to get married to his highly strung fiancée Connor decides that he must stop the proceedings and prove to his brother that he is signing himself up for a life of monogamous misery. However, at the wedding Connor is confronted by Jenny, the only girl he ever loved, who is the maid of honour and desperate to make the nuptials go off without a hitch. However, when Connor's behaviour threatens the happiness of his brother forces far stronger, and more supernatural!, than Jenny are out to make him accountable...
Ghosts Of Girlfriend Past is pretty much the same old romantic comedy jazz, predictable, silly and paint-by-numbers unoriginal, but it is also a fairly fun and inventive version of a well worn theme with some nicely judged performances and a few twists which keep things interesting. It's hardly grounbreaking and fails to provide anything truly moving or engrossing but its just about charming enough to get by unscathed and actually says some interesting things. By using Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' and updating it into the contemporary dating world the film has an inbuilt intrigue to it and the screenplay does a relatively decent job of creating laughs and tears in equal measure. It's never very believable and it fails to offer anything exceptionally clever or diverting with too much inane slap-stick and not enough actual content but there are some sweet/sad moments that are at least superficially resonant and Jennifer Garner does her best to bring some emotional weight to the role of Jenny. Of course none of it is half as heart warming as it thinks it is and the inevitable ending rings a bit hollow but taken for what it is, a frivolous, superfluous but uplifting exercise in cheese, it isn't all that bad.
The main problem with Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is that it never really gets away from the slightly misogynistic and unpleasant undertones which lay beneath all the schmaltz and decelerations of true love. Connor isn't a very nice person, he treats people badly and doesn't care about other peoples feelings, yet we are supposed to root for him as a romantic lead; he is supposed to find redemption in the knowledge that he does actually love somebody, but the truth is that he doesn't deserve that love. The screenplay, penned by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, does a solid job of establishing Connor as a nasty cad but doesn't fully convince us that he is a viable and interesting love interest - there are a hundred other, more loving, people who Jenny could fall for. Some character development is weaved throughout the story to give him some semblance of three dimensionality but it just doesn't ring true... I understand that it's necessary to paint the lead in a negative light so that his transformation is more surprising but we aren't really given a reason to care about what happens to him. However, the script in fairly even and consistent with some fun comedic set-pieces which warrant some genuine laughs and a one genuinely emotional sequences. The film also contains some surprisingly acerbic and witty nuggets of dialogue that really help liven things up; the early interactions between Jenny and Connor are sarcastic, spicy and allow for romantic tension which really works. The script is also pretty pacey and does a god job of rounding the story off in a conventional and shallow but pleasingly romantic manner.
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past looks really good; the special effects are largely impressive, the make-up extremely realistic, the sets unrealistically stunning and visuals pretty. Mark Waters, a rom-com veteran, does a great job of establishing a fun aesthetic but doesn't really pump much life or energy into the proceedings; there are some moments which could have been genuinely heart-warming, but they fall to the waste-side because they aren't directed with any seriousness. It's almost impossible for the audience to become invested in the characters when they aren't given any emotional weight or charm. Waters seems to be directing by number here; not putting any real effort, which is a real shame because the premise has real potential and for someone who has had such a long career in the romance genre he doesn't make the film's more romantic sequences very memorable or special. His direction just reeks of laziness and it seems to bring the whole thing down. However, he does direct the film's sillier aspects, which usually involve some elaborate slap-stick situation, with some panache and style. He seems more at ease with banter between the characters and the more obviously funny elements of the screenplay but just doesn't provide the flick with enough heart for it to be anything more than saccharine. The film feels as if it has something missing and I have a felling that can be put down to Waters lack of directorial finesse.
Matthew McConaughey is as unpleasant, wooden (surely it would be cheaper to stick a plank of pine in front of the camera?) and slimy here as he is in every other film but that actually adds to the character of Connor; McConaughey is believable as a rude and emotionally devoid womaniser and so he does a good job of bringing the character to life. Having a romantic lead who the audience are supposed to hate could have been a risky move but he does a fairly decent job of making the character distasteful but with enough quirk and charm to make his transformation at least a little convincing. He seems very adapt at physical comedy (bringing one potentially stupid scene a bit of vivacity and energy) and delivers the scathing dialogue between Connor and Jenny with an effective amount of venom. He isn't a very commanding screen presence and gets out acted by absolutely everybody in the cast but he is an appropriate choice for the shallow role. I am more than a little bit in love with Jennifer Garner and here she is, as always, a charming, appealing and sweet presence. She isn't given a huge amount to do, but she manages to brings some poignancy and resonance to Jenny (with one scene which is genuinely upsetting) and is a more than effective romantic entity. She always brings a lot of energy and humour to her roles and, although Jenny and Connor's relationship is never particularly convincing, she tries to bring a lightness and grace to the film, she is also very sharp with the comedic timing. Garner is one of the few highlights of the film, although she really needs to pick some better roles, along with the funny and interesting performance delivered by Michael Douglas who roots for both comedic and dramatic gold as Connor's play-boy uncle.
The sad thing about Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is that it could have been a lot more; the relationship between Connor and his younger brother, played ably by Breckin Meyer, is the true romance of the piece and is written with a good shot of emotion and talent. The idea of breaking negative cycles of behaviour is also quite well done, mainly because of Douglas's astute portrayal, and proves that there is actually a story at the heart of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. If it had dared to do something a little different, muddy the genre conventions a little or allow the characters to step out of two dimensionality, then there could have been a real tale to tell here. If the screenplays more engaging themes had been allowed to be more prominent then it would have been a film about making a new life for yourself and learning from your past mistakes. But as it is Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is just a fairly damp rom-com.
Advantages: It has a handful of decent gags. Disadvantages: A complete lack of originality and poor comic timing.
...by three further apparitions. The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, Present and Future take him on a journey through every relationship he’s ever had with a member of the opposite sex. Through it all, Connor realises Jenny is the only one for him and then he discovers she still has feelings for him. But can he convince her that he can change before he loses her forever?
Just when you think every possible permutation of “A Christmas Carol” has been done, ... ...gagging for it and the ghosts are variously Connor’s overly enthusiastic first conquest, his current assistant and a silent woman in a white dress. So there’s an absence of personality. The dialogue lacks any real charm or many quotable one-liners.
Matthew McConaughey wheels out his now standard charmer routine as Connor. But despite his innate charisma, the role doesn’t work because he comes across as sleazy and superficial. His comic timing is ...
afy9mab 17.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Advantages: Witty dialogue, extremely entertaining with a few laugh-out-loud moments. Disadvantages: Nonne
...up three of the quirkiest ghosts imaginable to sort his nephew out. 'The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past' is a light-hearted take on the Charles Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol', the difference being that the main character isn't stingy or outright nasty, he's more of a mellow moron with a commitment phobia. Added to the oddball Scrooge theme is a magnificent mansion out in the countryside where the wedding is being held, a group of bridesmaids who ... ...own mission, and four oddball ghosts on their own mission to make everything right. This movie, although using the prescribed romantic/comedy formula, is very much in a class of its own. Yes, the 'Scrooge' theme has been done before - we've all lost count how many times - but this one is actually worthy of mention. The story is highly imaginative [albeit predictable - we all know that there's going to be a happy ending] and possesses a quirkiness ...
GoFigure 19.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Advantages: Funny, great use of special effects, good cast Disadvantages: Nothing major
...error of his ways by ghosts of girlfriends past. Connor has to visit his past relationship to see where he went wrong, and he comes to some surprising revelations when it's all over. Will Connor change or is that one step too far? I am a huge Jen Garner fan, so she is the reason I got this one from the library if I'm totally honest with you! I've loved her work since the fab TV show Alias, and now she's turned her hand to films, I tend to watch everything, ... ...The special effects of the ghosts and related events are very well done, and Emma Stone as the first ghost Allison was brilliant! The effects are pretty seamless and the soundtrack captures the mood of the film very well too. This is a very sweet and funny rom-com that I can highly recommend for a light evenings entertainment. If there was one thing I have to moan about, its that Connor isn't a nice person and therefore you aren't too bothered about ...
mummy2harry 03.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past is a romantic comedy that was released in the cinemas on 1st May 2009. So far the film has made around $15,411,434 at the box office which is relatively disappointed to it’s main rival in the film charts X-Men Origins. The film has received mainly negative reviews from critics but to be fair only a minority of romantic comedies actually get positive feedback which means that this film shouldn’t be written off straight away. ... ...will be visited by several ghosts thorough the course of the evening and they will take him back in time in the hope of changing his egotistical, womanising ways. One of ghosts happens to be his deceased uncle (Michael Douglas) who taught Connor everything he knows about pulling. Another ghost is Connor’s first who takes him back to visit all his ex-girlfriends and see the reaction he had on them and how much he hurt them. During the course the evening ...
Great_reviewer07 15.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Advantages: Great cast with McConaughey, Douglas and Stone, great story, very funny Disadvantages: None
...then visited by another three ghosts - past, present and future. They take him on journeys and show him things about his life including Jenny's future wedding. Conner can't stand to see her marrying someone else and realises how he feels about her. But will his womanising ways get him the woman he really wants? ~ Cast ~ Conner - Matthew McConaughey Jenny - Jennifer Garner Uncle Wayne - Michael Douglas Past Ghost - Emma Stone Paul - Breckin Meyer ... ...McConaughey looks his usual tanned and dishy self and you can definitely see why all the ladies love him. He plays the smarmy bachelor brilliantly but then I love him in all his films and think he's just perfect for this role. Jennifer Garner was the perfect posh girl trying to hide her real feelings for Conner and I think their on-screen relationship played out very well. Michael Douglas was an excellent choice for the part of Uncle Wayne - rich, ...
frankiefromings13 11.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
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Advantages: One or two funny bits Disadvantages: Trite, predictable, dull, poor delivery, lack of depth
became obvious, this was a third rate rehash of the legendary Scrooge story trading the backdrop of Christmas for a wedding although it did keep the snow. Scrooge is one of those tales that people always want to retell or bring up to date, sadly it rarely works and the Ghosts Of GirlfriendsPast is no exception to the rule.
Rather like this review it?s a poorly pieced together piece of filmmaking that is saved in some levels by some fairly amusing scenes. As an overall structure however it?s a fairly bleak offering, with characters particularly with Connor that you don?t care about. The character of Jenny played by the lovely Jennifer Garner is incredibly one dimensional, and despite the epic journey that Connor goes on by the end of the movie you don?t feel that you learned anything more about Jenny than you did in the first few seconds ...
Advantages: Easy to watch; funny in parts. Disadvantages: Had potential to be funnier than it is.
, even as Matt and Jenna re-connected as the story progressed.
One gets the feeling he was just going through the motions.
The best part of the film was the 1980s scenes. The young actors chosen to play the main characters were outstanding.
Christa B. Allen is believeble as a younger Jennifer Garner (so much so that she played her again in Ghosts Of GirlfriendsPast).
Sean Marquette looks nothing, and I mean NO-thing, like Mark Ruffalo, but he did a great job as a boy who dotes on his girl friend. I reckon the casting director just picked the best actor they could find, despite the lack of resemblance.
But the highlight of the whole film was Alexandra Kyle, who played the young Lucy. Not only was she outstanding as the head mean girl, she also had an uncanny resemblance to Judy Greer, who played the adult Lucy. Great casting ...
Advantages: Great cast, really funny film. Disadvantages: Chinease guy overacted way too much. Not to be taken too seriously
of the film without one of his teeth. This made me laugh and he did a brilliant job of the more straight laced friend controlled completely by his girlfriend. He did a brilliant job for what was written for him, but was overshone by Galifianakis and Cooper.
Justin Bartha plays Doug, you don?t really get to see much from him as the film is about the other three boys finding him but he seems like a good actor as well, Heather Graham makes an appearance as a stripper and so does Mike Tyson plays himself. He is brilliant in the film, him and his tiger.
The Writers
Like usual, I look up a bit about the writers and the directors before watching a film, sounds a bit nerdy, and in this case it did make me a little bit scared due to the fact that Jon Lucas and Scott Moore who wrote this film, also wrote Ghost of a GirlfriendsPast and Four ...
Contains moderate sex references, language and a drug reference
Official Website
http://www.ghostsofgirlfriendspastmovie.com/
Video Category
Feature Film
Country Of Origin
United States of America
Release details
Studio(s)
ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
DVD Region
DVD
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
Special Features
Additional scenes
Professional reviews
Review
GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST is an amusingly sentimental whiff of a romantic comedy....There is an actual cautionary tale here (Los Angeles Times, 19/08/2009)
DVD Description
Matthew McConaughey has got the role of sexy, carefree bachelor perfected, and he gives his many admirers just want they want in this romantic comedy from director Mark Waters (MEAN GIRLS). McConaughey stars as Connor Mead, a man who arrives at his brother's wedding only to be reminded of his own romantic past. Jennifer Garner (JUNO) co-stars as the 'one who got away'.
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