GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST
US, 2009, 97 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Mc Connaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabot, Robert Forster, Anne Archer Emerstone.
Directed by Mark Waters.
A variation on the romantic comedy plots – which won't figure near the top of the lists of this kind of film.
Easy enough to review: narcissistic hedonist photographer, Connor Mead (Matthew Mc Connaughey), is a love 'em (no, too dignified for his flippant stands) and leave 'em (as quickly as possible); when he undermines his brother's wedding party, he experiences an Ebenezer Scrooge nightmare which transforms him into Mr Nice Guy. As can be seen, miserliness is not his vice that needs reform.
Who should be his Jacob Marley but Michael Douglas as Connor's self-indulgent playboy Uncle Wayne who turns up to deliver some moral messages with the aid of three ghosts who lead him through his scandalous past (along with the huge bevy of women who either succumb to his charms to take the initiative to seduce him), his disruptive present with the wedding guests and a possible future where the girl that he really loves (Jennifer Garner) marries someone else and his jilted brother, Breckin Meyer, is the only person to turn up for his funeral.
In terms of dramatic credibility, this takes a lot of suspension of disbelief. Rather, it is what most of us would hope would happen (unless you were a recalcitrant Connor Mead type impervious to moral values and persuasion and this would be water off a duck's back). One guesses that a women's audience who experienced this kind of man and his flaunting himself and felt repelled or that they had been deceived would respond positively enough to the basic message – and might be tempted to take him along to see if he could see Connor Mead as something of a mirror.
Obviously, it's not going to convert too many in the cinema. It might do better on video for a women's group or a captive male. And then the next romantic comedy will come along.
1.A variation on romantic comedy themes? Bittersweet? The story of a cad and his change? The superficial life – but did the film move above the superficial?
2.The title, the basis on Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the update?
3.The American background, affluent world, the world of soap operas? Photography, weddings, receptions?
4.The perspective on men, morals, ego, self-centredness, the possibility of change? The challenge to the promiscuous man?
5.The film’s comment on women, availability, easy, seductive, promiscuous? Critique or not?
6.Connor and his style, Matthew Mc Connaughey credible? The model of the uncle, the playboy? Connor as photographer, his style, the video conference rejection of three girlfriends, his behaviour with the bridesmaids, with the models? The story of his care for his brother after the parents’ accident? His friendship with Jenny as a child, the photo, the promise to keep it? His not wanting to go to the wedding? His secretary and her harassing him? His philosophy of love ‘em and leave ‘em, anti-marriage? His destructive behaviour, antagonism of the people, with the bridesmaids? His fondness for Paul, trying to warn him about marriage, his giving the information about Paul’s behaviour, the smashing of the cake? People wanting him away? Paul asking him to leave?
7.Jenny, her past, the photo, the relationship with Connor, his leaving, abandoning her? Ten years passing? Her friendship with Sandra, arranging the reception? Her not succumbing to Connor and his charm, her exasperation with him? His memories of the past, her memories?
8.Paul, a contrast with Connor, pleasant, committed to marry Sandra, her moods, having to control her breathing, her being upset so easily? Her parents? Paul and the episode with the bridesmaid? Sandra’s reaction, the disruption of the wedding, Sandra leaving? Paul wanting Connor to leave?
9.The bridesmaids and their carry-on?
10.Sandra’s father, the military background, becoming a minister, his speech about war heroics? His warnings to Connor and Paul? The performance of the rituals? The mother, the separation, provocative, talking with Connor? The end – would they be together or not?
11.Sandra, spoilt, the magazine-style wedding, the cake, having to breathe to control herself, breaking off the wedding? Paul and Sandra really in love with each other?
12.The uncle as a ghost, the Jacob Marley of this film? His behaviour, appearance, the Gordon Gecko playboy? The reasons for coming, his jokey style, making moral points, opening Connor’s eyes?
13.The ghost of the past, teenage, provocative, joking, reminding Connor of reality, his meeting all the women – and their commenting on the length of their relationships with him?
14.The secretary as the ghost of the present, controlling Connor, telling him off?
15.The ghost of the future, glamorous and silent, an alternate world, Jenny and her marrying Brad – and the scenes with Brad as perfect in business, dancing, charm…? His dying, Paul going to his funeral, the only one?
16.Connor coming to his senses, urging Paul to marry, the chase, catching up with Jenny, the declaration of change? The happy and the moral ending? Convincing?
