Marc Lawrence has written another mediocre rom-com. This one has the added special sauce of overt sexism added to its dull, predictable script. Hugh Grant turns in another lifeless Hugh Grant performance. Allison Janney's comedic talents are wasted in the role of the stereotyped humorless, angry woman who teaches college level female-centric literature. J.K. Simmons makes the most of his supporting role. And Marisa Tomei is the only clear grown up in the room. Of course the male lead would be attracted to a smart, fun, caring, capable woman who challenges him to be better. The bigger question is why in the world would she ever be interested in Grant's sad sack, has-been, rude, condescending and patronizing leading man?
I think the ugh factor was telling from the beginning when the washed up writer takes a teaching job he doesn't want but a) instead of reading the students' writing samples he uses social media profiles to fill the class with hot girls and two not hot nerdy guys, and b) in a class filled with females of course it's one of the guys who the teacher chooses to promote to his agent and to sell a script. Because, you know......the girls aren't there for the writing. The film continued it's downward slide from there.
I think the ugh factor was telling from the beginning when the washed up writer takes a teaching job he doesn't want but a) instead of reading the students' writing samples he uses social media profiles to fill the class with hot girls and two not hot nerdy guys, and b) in a class filled with females of course it's one of the guys who the teacher chooses to promote to his agent and to sell a script. Because, you know......the girls aren't there for the writing. The film continued it's downward slide from there.