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'Ugly Truth' suffers from mood swings
Published online on Friday, Jul. 24, 2009
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It is only fitting that "The Ugly Truth," a movie about relationships, would have trouble committing.
At times, the new helium-light romantic comedy wants to be a broad, bawdy comedy. Then it tries to be the kind of romance story you want your parents to see. Too much indecision by director Robert Luketic has the film fighting itself from beginning to end.
Katherine Heigl plays Sacramento television news producer Abby Richter. Just like her roles in "27 Dresses" and "Knocked Up," Heigl's character is so obsessed with work and helping others, she has neglected her own life. It is yet another acting job Heigl could play in her sleep.
She gets dating advice from the TV station's new relationship commentator Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler). In his "The Ugly Truth" segment he dishes out advice about how people should give up looking for love and concentrate more on lust.
This sets off a series of predictable events that range from bad sitcom jokes to tender moments. Each time the film sinks into moronic humor (a pair of vibrating panties accidentally worn to a restaurant) it takes a left turn into a sensitive moment (Mike trying to be a father figure for his nephew).
MOVIE REVIEW"The Ugly Truth" rated R for language, nudity, sexual situations. Stars Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Cheryl Hines. Directed by Robert Luketic. Running time: 1 hour, 41 minutes. Grade: C
More jarring is the juxtaposition between having Heigl look like the most angelic figure on screen since Grace Kelly to the raunchy material that feels more suitable for a Judd Apatow film. With stars like Heigl and Butler, this should have been the kind of sweet romantic comedy done by the likes of Tracy and Hepburn or Ryan and Hanks.
"The Ugly Truth"suffers from bad filmmaking, especially the big final scene. Junior high students using 10-year-old school computers could create more realistic looking special effects.
All that saves this film from being a complete wash are Heigl and Butler. She's got a face that was made for the big screen and an on-screen sweetness that is infectious. Butler's just enough of a bad boy to make him tough, vulnerable and charming.
The beautiful truth about "The Ugly Truth" is that while it lacks the commitment to be a winner, the stars have enough charisma to make it tolerable.
TV and movie critic Rick Bentley can be reached at rbentley@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6355. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.
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