movie review

Amanda Easley
JMC 2033-15
Movie Review

"Ghosts of Girlfriends Past"

Director: Mark Waters

Producers: Marcus Viscidi, Jessica Tuchinsky, Toby Emmerich, Samuel J Brown 

Theatre Release Date: May 1, 2009

        Conner Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is a devoted bachelor with a no-strings-attached attitude when it comes to women. Conner’s brother Paul (Breckin Meyer) is the complete opposite. When Paul’s wedding night draws closer, Conner’s attitude is nothing less than negative. This threatens to ruin the wedding for Paul, the wedding guests, and even Conner’s childhood friend Jenny (Jennifer Garner), who never seemed phased by his impeccable charm. Just when it looks like Conner is about to single-handedly ruin the evening, he gets a visit from his dead Uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas). Known as the legendary ladies man, Uncle Wayne tells Conner that he is going to be visited by three ghosts - past, present and future - who are going to help him find his second chance at love.
        A remake of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" falls short of being a cute, romantic comedy. Conner’s character is a “Scrooge-gone-bad” sex-aholic. Most of the story-line consists of Conner being confronted again and again by girlfriends past, present, and future. One can see potential for laughs in this plot, however, when Conner runs from all females as fast as he possibly can following the climax of the only thing that interests him about women, the audience can only take so much.
        Written by Jon Lucas and Scott More, and directed by Mark Waters, "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" gets the audience to believe that the movie will have them laughing hysterically the whole time, but with scene after scene of Conner’s character being a cocky jerk towards women, the audience slowly loses interest. The only woman he cannot seem to sweep of her feet is his childhood friend, Jenny, who in all actuality is the only woman who really loves him. Although this seems cute and romantic, the audience picks up on this “secret love” immediately, and the rest of the movie is somewhat a waste of time.
        The only real power of this movie is Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner. Although their roles were nothing special, McCaughney (Conner) and Garner (Jenny) are always entertaining to watch. We’ve seen these characters time and time again, but McConaughey and Garner do a fair job with what they’re given. Included in this list of well known actors, is Michael Douglas (Uncle Wayne). The only comedic relief, Douglas lightens the mood of this other-wise slow, and very predictable film.
        When one sees the movie trailer for "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” you believe it to be a cute, funny, romantic comedy. When stars Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Michael Douglas come together, one assumes the film to be an entertaining surprise. When you throw Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" and a sex-crazed ghost of the past together, the turnout is nothing short of a failure.
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