PRE-SCREEN REVIEW: How To Be Single

By Anonymous
 
 Pre-screenings are the best. Whether the movie was bad or good, you get to see a movie for free weeks before it's released! It's a blast, and I had the privilege of seeing "How To Be Single", a romantic comedy slated for release February 12. Set in present day New York City, the movie follows a group of lonely hearts seeking the right match. Alice (Dakota Johnson), Robin (Rebel Wilson), Lucy (Alison Brie), Meg (Leslie Mann), Tom (Anders Holm) and David (Damon Wayans, Jr.) discover that they all have one thing in common: the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love.

   This movie was funny. Sloppy, but funny. The first two thirds of the film seemed too incohesive in its storytelling. What I mean by that is that time seemed to jump quite often without the story feeling like time had past. The various story lines moved so quickly that it makes it really hard to connect with these characters. I found myself not really liking Alice as a person; watching her make stupid decisions was tough, but without allowing the story to develop the sense of passing time in order to really engage with the characters makes it a less-immersive experience. Rebel Wilson plays Rebel Wilson, and its hilarious. Her character is there for one reason and one reason only, to make you laugh while doing a load of crazy nonsense. Her Robin becomes friends with Alice and their moment of clarity towards the end was heartwarming. Keeping track of who's dating who and who's sleeping with who is a bit chaotic, much like an episode of Friends. The storyline I found most entertaining was Alice's sister Meg, a doctor debating on whether or not a child would bring her happiness. She meets Ken (Jake Lacy), a handsome suitor much younger than her and their interactions with each other are warm, funny, realistic, and touching at times. Of all the various story lines in the movie, theirs is the best. I wish the movie was more about them then making them side characters.

   "How To Be Single" is a cookie-cutter rom-com. If that's your cup o' tea, then slurp it down. Given its flaws, I had a great time with the movie...and not just because it was free, lol. It's pretty funny, and you'll find yourself laughing. Rebel Wilson is like a weirder version of Melissa McCarthy in that she plays the same type of character in every movie, but we're okay with that because it's hilarious. It opens Valentine's Day weekend, making it a perfect date movie. However, "Deadpool" opens that same weekend, so I highly doubt it will do well. At any rate, it's still funny enough to check out.

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