How to Be Single (2016)

For me at least, it's not the cast, the acting, directing or the cinematography that makes this movie absurd... All of that is decent enough at different ranges respectively. No, what makes this movie a joke, is its story.Some chick decides to break something that isn't broken, and that decision isn't even at least based on a hunch, or unhappiness, or something real, rather it's based on a whim. That would've been fine though, had this film not then gone further and turned the person who's heart was initially broken (Josh) by a whimsical little girl turned skank (Alice), into the villain, with the movie now ending with him being the A-hole, loser and the one genuinely hurt, and she becomes the hero via sheer luck, coincidence and complete dumbassery.There are other things that this film got wrong, but at least Lucy not ending up with Tom wasn't one of them. Surprising actually that this movie had the EQ to get that right, not that getting something that simple right requires any kind of difficulty.The best character in this movie, though portrayed by an actor who's acting ability I've always questioned and will probably continue to do so forever, was undoubtedly, Ken.All romantic movies are about someone trying to find love, this movie was quite literally about someone trying to lose it, and was rewarded for it, and that, is insulting.The lesson on how to be single based on this movie is, unnecessarily throw away love on purpose, like a fart in the wind, and then hope (if even that) that it was the right call to make. Basically; How To Be Poor: Be rich, burn the money and hope it grows back on trees. 3/10.

This is basically one of those holiday themed movies (New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, etc... ) except that instead of being about a specific occasion, it's about the whole spectrum of not being in a relationship... It might as well be called "The Single Experience"... The problem is, it tries so hard to cover all bases, that nothing it settles upon ever winds up really resonating (for me, at least).This is the number one problem I have with most ensemble movies - they're loose, shapeless, and unreliable... I wouldn't put up with those characteristics in a potential mate of mine, so why should I look past them, in a movie ABOUT the dating scene?!

Dakota Johnson stars in "How To Be Single," playing a young woman on a break from her boyfriend as she starts a new life in NYC. She's on a quest to find herself, to have more adventures, to see what else is out there besides her ex and what he has to offer. With the help of a wild co-worker played by Rebel Wilson, Johnson gets what she wished for, and all the bad things that go with being single (creepy guys, closed off guys, the lack of true intimacy and connection, etc.).My most memorable, movie moment of "How To Be Single" is the scene when the new fiancée of one of the main characters is going psycho on the bartender character. It's one of the funniest scenes — and the most creepy — of the movie.Had this movie focused on just Johnson's and Wilson's characters, I think it would have been a better movie; but three more characters are given a lot of screen time (a bartender; a nutty online dater; and a doctor). Then there is the unnecessary scene at the end of the movie involving a minor character and his daughter that derails the focus off Johnson even more! With so many characters being juggled, it takes a laser focus and great talent of a screenwriter to make all this work…and it doesn't, it doesn't work. Although there are some good laughs to be had throughout the movie, it's not enough to save this movie from the realm of mediocrity.Mannysmemorablemoviemoments

Christian Ditter, director of Love, Rosie, which, I have to add, I thoroughly enjoyed, gives us a not so romantic or comic film on How To Be Single, tackling how messy adulthood and relationships can be. (And what is it with rooftops Ditter?) Having quite a strong cast of characters it's central to Alice, having come away from a serious relationship to spread her wings in the Big Apple. It seems she's not sure what she actually wants and goes to and fro between wanted to be free and single to being lonely and needing that self gratification of being loved and wanted. The other characters such as her brooding sister nurse and her outrageous and liberating colleague and friend offer opposing ends of a spectrum, this coupled with some other characters that flit in and out of the story lines, such as Alison Brie's desperate yet conscientious Lucy. Relating to my own singledom, it's actually very one sided and seems little is drawn from single people's experiences and more so of people struggling with a life of solitude. It comes quite close to missing the point entirely, only to be given some deep and meaningful revelation at the conclusion. There's some hilarious moments, like the sauna scene but then other parts seem to just attempt to be funny, though well scripted and actually very well shot, it's unfortunately predictable and feels like it's on constant fast forward. Dakota Johnson took the lead as Alice, after Lily Collins dropped out and does a fine job portraying the beautiful yet bashful noob to being free and available. Leslie Mann plays her sister, but is pretty much the same character she has always played. Though very much from the female perspective, the two key male characters are actually highly entertaining, and again offer extreme stereotypes of either end of a spectrum. Anders Holm's brutally honest barman/player extraordinaire and Jake Lacy's down to earth and highly likable receptionist. The star is definitely Rebel Wilson. She gets the best lines, and this is so her. She's like the devil incarnate and is the true highlight of the movie. Fil Eisler deserves a mention too, his score is suits the film and sets the mood perfectly. It's a coming of age drama with moments of sweetness among moments of trashiness. It can, shamefully, be a good reflection of modern era romances, however, not much about being single but more of exploring and taking advantages of your freedom. Running Time: 7 The Cast: 7 Performance: 7 Direction: 7 Story: 6 Script: 6 Creativity: 6 Soundtrack: 7 Job Description: 6 The Extra Bonus Points: 5 just for Rebel Wilson. Blu-ray: Hmm, maybe if on special. 64% 6/10