Metascore
46 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 38
  2. Negative: 7 out of 38
  1. Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    Dec 17, 2010
    38
    This rambling, overproduced, tone-deaf melange of romance, comedy and drama is only slightly more engaging than Brooks' other feature this century, the unfortunate Adam Sandler vehicle "Spanglish" (2004).
  2. Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    Dec 16, 2010
    30
    An airless, sometimes distressingly mirthless comedy.
  3. Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    Dec 15, 2010
    30
    This wrong-headed dramedy peddles forced warm-fuzziness and insincere sentiment on the backs of an all-star cast.
  4. Reviewed by: Amy Biancolli
    Dec 16, 2010
    25
    The film is confusing and awkwardly timed, and it drags.
  5. Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    Dec 16, 2010
    20
    Brooks' shallow screenplay feels half-finished, and he never compensates with additional guidance or directorial flair. So all his actors are forced to flail about ineffectually. Apparently, none of them read the script in advance. Because surely then they'd have known to take a pass.
  6. Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    Dec 16, 2010
    0
    No need to belabor the awfulness of this film, a romantic comedy devoid of romance - instead of chemistry there's the flow of reverse magnetism - and lacking in comic timing, let alone comic content.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 27
  2. Negative: 19 out of 27
  1. "How Do You Know" is just plain terrible. Despite the decent performances the movie fails to derive from something new and (literally) eats up a big cake of cliches and rom-com formulas. Its a film you want to watch in an airplane while taking a nap. Trust me, you will sleep faster. Full Review »
  2. Whoa. There are a lot of bad reviews for this movie. That surprises me, because I loved it, and I'm not usually into romantic comedies. What makes this movie good is that it feels like it could really happen. Everybody has crappy days, and this movie is about finding the things in life that make you want to enjoy it again. The acting is really what makes this movie good. Paul Rudd is an extremely likeable lead, as is Reese Witherspoon. Heck, even Owen Wilson is fun to watch. But Jack Nicholson's character takes the cake. Most scenes, especially those with Nicholson, made me laugh out loud several times. This really is a sweet and funny movie, and I don't understand why it's getting such bad reviews, especially user reviews. It was wayyy better than Morning Glory. Full Review »
  3. Bad script, bad writing, bad acting. This movie fails on every level.
    Easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen. Not sure what else needs
    to be said Full Review »