How Do You Know

Name: How Do You Know
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: December 17, 2010
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 46
Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Reese Witherspoon

2010

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 80 Ratings

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4.3

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4.3	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 80 Ratings

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How Do You Know

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: December 17, 2010 | PG-13

Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, Reese Witherspoon

Summary: A professional softball player falls for two men and wonders when it comes to love, how do you know?

Director: James L. Brooks

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 121 min

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Critic Reviews

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

Richard Corliss

Dec 20, 2010

Yeah, well, I still like the film. Read full review

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

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

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

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

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

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User Reviews

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. 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 thatWhoa. 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

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 feeling ok..............................................

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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, 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,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

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 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 aWhat 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

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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. i actually feel asleep during this movie. Such a piece of trash. I never thought it could be this bad, but it really was.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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 needs to be said

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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