"It isn't how you get there, it's what you do along the way that counts."
"It isn't how you get there, it's what you do along the way that counts."
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Director: Mark Waters Writers: Jon Lucas & Scott Moore Genre: Comedy - Romance Country: USA Certification: 12+ Language: English DVD Release: TBC
MAIN CAST:
Matthew McConaughey [Connor Mead] Jennifer Garner [Jenny Perotti] Michael Douglas [Uncle Wayne] Breckin Meyer [Paul Mead] Lacey Chabert [Sandra]
Connor Mead is the ultimate 'bad boy' - he's rich, he's charming, he's outspoken, but he's also the world's biggest jerk. He collects women like others collect stamps... except that his collectibles aren't meant to be kept. He uses them once or twice and then goes on to the next gullible female.
Having lost his parents at a young age, Connor and his younger brother, Paul, were taken in by their uncle Wayne, an unconscionable philanderer without scruples who instilled his nonexistent code of conduct within Connor when he was at his most vulnerable.
Years later, Uncle Wayne long dead and Connor having reached the
pinnacle of debauchery and callousness, he is invited to his younger brother's wedding. Unfortunately for Paul, Connor agrees to attend, but he's got his own personal agenda, and it has nothing to do with supporting his brother in his decision... instead, Connor plans to save his brother from what he thinks will be a humongous mistake.
Fortunately for everyone concerned, Uncle Wayne puts in an appearance and finally takes responsibility for the monster he's created by rounding 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 have, with the exception of one, all slept with the groom's unconscionable brother, Connor's childhood sweetheart, a high-strung bride who is desperate to pull off the perfect wedding, a priest who is also an ex-soldier who served in the Korean war and is treating the ceremony as though it were a mission, a big brother who's on his 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 to it that is highly addictive. The characters are all incredibly interesting, from the lusty bridesmaids to the high-strung and slightly obsessive bride, the sarcastic and gratingly obnoxious uncle, the high-spirited [no pun intended] teen ghost with braces, a jaded assistant who has seen it all yet still manages to hold on to her compassion, an unlikely priest who hasn't yet learned how to NOT be a soldier, a frustrated groom who believes in his big brother regardless that he's trying to destroy his wedding day, a childhood sweetheart who still has feelings for her first love regardless that he jilted her, and an immature jerk who thinks he's God's gift to women. Added to this a myriad of slapstick moments from spills to double-entendre diatribes, witty dialogue and non-stop nuttiness, and what we have here is a well-rounded and highly entertaining gem of a movie.
Although I am not a McConaughey fan, he does tend to grate on my nerves, his performance in this movie was exemplary... but then again, it might not have actually been a performance. I've always thought of Matthew McConaughey as being the immature philanderer, the unconscionable rogue... whether he really is or not, he fits into the role of Connor Mead to perfection - like a glove. To his credit, McConaughey managed to give his character depth by refraining from focusing on the nastiness, and by giving his character a few redeeming qualities that work towards creating a believable ending.
The acting, for a romantic comedy, is actually quite good, and the added bonus of an extremely mature Michael Douglas can't help but bring back memories for the older generation who will see a similitude between McConaughey and Douglas...
Although I didn't actually want to see this movie, I'm glad I did. I loved all the characters, and I particularly loved the crafty references to the original Dickens' classic.
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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (DVD)
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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...
May 19th, 2009
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