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How Do You Know

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46
Metascore
 38 reviews
4.3
User Score
 81 ratings

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Director: James L. Brooks
Writer: James L. Brooks
Production: Road Rebel
Movie Details: A professional softball player falls for two men and wonders when it comes to love, how do you know?
A professional softball player falls for two men and wonders when it comes to love, how do you know?
Genre(s): Drama Comedy Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Production: Road Rebel
Runtime: 121 min
Official Site: http://www.howdoyouknow-movie.com/
Country: USA
Language: English
Director: James L. Brooks
Writer: James L. Brooks
Starring:
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Critic Reviews
(38)
46
Metascore Mixed or average reviews
14 Positive Ratings 36%
17 Mixed Ratings 44%
7 Negative Ratings 18%
Based on 38 Critic Reviews View All
75
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Calvin Wilson | Dec 17, 2010
"A bit slow to get started, and it's nowhere near as funny as "The Hangover." But it'll make you smile." ... Read full review
70
Time
Richard Corliss | Dec 20, 2010
"Yeah, well, I still like the film. " ... Read full review
67
Christian Science Monitor
Peter Rainer | Dec 17, 2010
"Best when it's morphing into seriousness. Too often the comic bits seem like sops to the audience." ... Read full review
50
The Hollywood Reporter
Todd McCarthy | Dec 15, 2010
"A low-impact romantic comedy-drama from James L. Brooks in which the central characters are strangely disconnected from one another as well as from the audience. " ... Read full review
50
Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan | Dec 16, 2010
"If, as someone says in one of Brooks' trademark excellent lines, we all feel we're "one small adjustment away from making our lives work," this film is one small adjustment away as well. " ... Read full review
42
Tampa Bay Times
Steve Persall | Dec 15, 2010
"A terrible title for a not-much-better movie, missing a grammatically correct question mark and most of the point with romantic comedies." ... Read full review
0
Wall Street Journal
Joe Morgenstern | Dec 16, 2010
"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." ... Read full review
Critic Reviews
User Reviews
(32)
4.3
User Score Mixed or average reviews
19 Positive Ratings 23%
27 Mixed Ratings 33%
35 Negative Ratings 43%
Based on 81 Ratings and 32 Reviews View All
8
sadrans
Dec 20, 2010
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. WhatWhoa. 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.… Expand
6
NancyA
Jan 7, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Here's the thing: this movie contains hands down the best proposal of all time and it isn't between the lead characters. There are 2 or 3 moments that are simply sublime, including a son managing a relationship with a narcissistic father with a brilliant negotiating flourish. I found the performances clean and convincing: Owen Wilson, Jack Nicholson, Reese Witherspoon and the forever menschy Paul Rudd act in ways that carry more authenticity and thoughtfulness than I'm used to witnessing in a rom com. Did I mention Katherine Hahn? And the amazing monologue of her boyfriend? If I were an acting student I'd transcribe that speech. While a lot of the movie simply isn't that great, certain aspects possess a striking honesty that makes the characters seem more original. I have never seen a breakup where the person initiating was so generous, grounded and not at all neurotic. Includes moments of exquisite humanity.… Expand
5
bocon
Jul 4, 2012
Saw this on cable on a Sat nite...it was great for what it is...like reading a couple of chapters and going to sleep feelingSaw this on cable on a Sat nite...it was great for what it is...like reading a couple of chapters and going to sleep feeling ok..............................................… Expand
3
Light
Jan 7, 2011
I gave this movie a three because it did have some moments. I thought Owen Wilson was pitch-perfect as the shallow but good-hearted pitcher,I gave this movie a three because it did have some moments. I thought Owen Wilson was pitch-perfect as the shallow but good-hearted pitcher, and Jack Nicholson was his usual charismatic self. But what really sunk this movie was the script. Brooks never seemed to care about the central plot, involving some kind of securities fraud that is never precisely spelled out, so the audience is completely lost as to what the central jeopardy is. Brooks makes the mistake of focusing entirely on the romantic subplots, so the film feels rudderless and empty. There were a few laughs...but all in all I thought this was an extremely lazy effort from writer/director Brooks.… Expand
1
savagesophia
Dec 22, 2010
What a waste of talented, funny, charming actors. The story is ridiculous and the characters are painfully self-aware. None of them areWhat a waste of talented, funny, charming actors. The story is ridiculous and the characters are painfully self-aware. None of them are likable, there's no chemistry, and the actors (especially Witherspoon) look embarrassed to be participating in the train-wreck. It's How Not To Write a Screenplay 101.… Expand
0
Trev29
Apr 2, 2012
The weirdest script with the most unreal characters. Acting was horrible all around. Jack Nicholson gave one of the worst performances ever. iThe weirdest script with the most unreal characters. Acting was horrible all around. Jack Nicholson gave one of the worst performances ever. i actually feel asleep during this movie. Such a piece of trash. I never thought it could be this bad, but it really was.… Expand
0
insert_here
Dec 28, 2010
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 needsBad 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… Expand
User Reviews