SOMEONE LIKE YOU
US, 2001, 97 minutes, Colour.
Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman, Marisa Tomay, Ellen Barkin, Katherine Dent.
Directed by Tony Goldwyn.
A touch of romantic froth. Ashley Judd is a television producer and falls madly in love with one of her bosses (Greg Kinnear) while looking down on, but confiding in, her co-producer (Hugh Jackman). When he breaks it off, she lands with a thud. Always interested in cows and bulls, she develops a theory about animal instincts, especially men like bulls, unable to be constant with one cow! Her best friend is an editor and publishes articles on the theory under a pseudonym. The writer becomes an anonymous celebrity and, of course, is invited on to the TV show with host (Ellen Barkin). What will happen? Will all be revealed? It's more or less as you expect, but the charm of the stars enables it to be more entertaining than it might have been. And, yes, she abandons the theory!
1.A romantic comedy for adults?
2.The title, the alternate, Animal Attraction?
3.American cities, the world of television, studios and offices? Apartments? The world of literary magazines? Musical score?
4.The animal attraction theory, the opening visuals, Jane’s development of the theory? Her assuming the role of the doctor? Discussions with Eddie, the arguments? The nature of men, sexuality, commitment? The final image behind the embrace? Throwing out the theory?
5.Jane and her age, her attitude towards relationships? Her work, skills, the television studio? Her skills, her working with Diane? Diane’s ambitions? Friendship with Liz, discussions, the magazine? Women’s issues? The offer of the column?
6.Ray, in himself, at work, personality? Attracted towards Jane? Her falling in love with him? Staying with him? His change of attitude, trying to detach himself? His relationship with Dee? Not turning up on the New Year’s Eve? Diane wearing his shirt? At work, the meetings, Jane and her outburst about fickleness and commitment?
7.Eddie, the contrast, type, womaniser, the noticeboard and the reaction of the ex-girlfriends? Their friendship with Jane, discussions? Jane sharing the apartment? Talk, theories, bonding? His reaction at her outburst? The program, his disbelief? Their passing the night together – without a touch? His going into the street, to get away from Jane?
8.Jane’s sister, trying for a child, her husband? Hospital, losing the baby? Jane’s visit, the bond with her sister? Seeing love between husband and wife? Their watching Jane on television?
9.Liz, her character, friendship? The column? Watching Jane on television?
10.Diane, in charge, her ambitions? The relationship with Ray? Jane’s outburst – and the long talk about counselling, all with reference to Ray?
11.The personality of Doctor Charles, age, degree? Jane’s promise for her to go on the show? Jane going on, the audience, her expectation, walking off, reactions?
12.Chasing Eddie in the street, the taxi, the embrace, acknowledging true love?
13.The popularity of this kind of romantic comedy – for adults and middle age?
