Movie review: ‘Ugly Truth’ packed with onscreen chemistry

» "The Ugly Truth"—This summer has delivered a mixed bag in terms of romantic comedies. "The Proposal," with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, re-worked the green card plot with just a hint of originality and enough chemistry between the leads to score with ticket buyers. "Away We Go," from director Sam Mendes, combined a "road" movie with a story about established romance between an established, committed couple (Maya Rudolph and John Krasimski) trying to decide where to settle their soon-to-expand family. This fresh, funny and moving film is one of the year's best and most unfairly overlooked movies.

"(500) Days of Summer" also took a unique and engaging take on a relationship by deconstructing it through moments from various days throughout its title period. Like "Away We Go," it moved beyond surface laughs to observe the dynamic tension, which sparks—and, sometimes, dooms—a relationship.

Now comes "The Ugly Truth." Teaming two likeable actors, Katherine Heigl ("Knocked Up") and Gerard Butler ("300"), the movie has several amusing moments. But it also takes us down some roads we've traveled before. Whether the journey's worthwhile depends on your point of view.

Heigl plays Abby Roberts, a producer for a morning talk program.

Though she's been lucky professionally, she hasn't been able to find the right guy. Mike Chadway (Butler) definitely isn't any thinking-woman's idea of Mr. Right. He's an opinionated, smug, chauvinistic guy who "knows," and is willing to share with everyone the truth about relationships between men and women.

When Mike makes a guest appearance on Abby's show, he stirs lots of audience reaction. So much so, station management hires him to appear on the program regularly.

Abby is, naturally, unhappy about this turn of events. The two clash repeatedly until a deal develops. Mike will "coach" Abby on how men think and how to get one. If she fails, he'll leave the show. If she succeeds, she'll move on.

Director Robert Luketic ("21," "Monster-In-Law," "Legally Blonde") has shown a certain skill for light comedy in his prior films. He draws entertaining performances from both lead performers.

As she's shown in other films, like "27 Dresses," Heigl has a bubbly charm that gets you on her side from the start, although you wonder what the heck is wrong with the men who've been passing her by. Butler's rugged good looks mesh well with his character's shallow attitudes toward women.

The two set off sparks on screen when they're together.

Screenwriters Nicole Eastman and Kate McCullah-Lutz display a real skill for strong man/woman repartee.

The film hits a number of bumps when it has Butler offering his coaching tips to Heigl. These scenes often end up being demeaning to her character and women in general. It's hard to believe a confident, talented woman like Abby would allow herself to be jerked around by Mike.

The writers may think this is a way to add some snap to the romantic complications (come on, you knew they were coming) between the two later in the film, but it really weakens both characters.

While its "I hate you/I love you" twists and crude humor keep "The Ugly Truth" from reaching the level of quality reached by "Away We Go" and "(500) Days of Summer," there's enough dueling wit here to keep you involved and watching during the film's compact 96-minute running time.

One final note: Ladies, despite the observations of "Truth's" all-woman writing team, we guys aren't that bad. . .well, not all of us.

Rated R for crude humor, some of it sexually related, and sensuality.

Joe's rating: Two and one-half stars.

CLIPS

» The terrifically entertaining documentary, "Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg," about the woman who created, wrote and starred in radio and television's first great situation comedy, moves out into the suburbs this weekend. The Cinema Arts theater in Fair City Mall picks up the film, made by award-winning, Washington-based documentarian Aviva Kempner ("The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg.") It also continues at Avalon theater in the District . . .

» Screen on The Green returns for another summer of classic movies on the National Mall, in the shadow of the Washington Monument. This year's series kicks off July 27 with "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." "Dog Day Afternoon", "On the Waterfront" and "Rebel Without a Cause" will also be shown, starting at sunset, on Mondays through Aug. 17.

Classic cartoons from the Warner Brothers library will also be shown. For more information call, toll free, 1-877-262-5866. The AOL keywords are Screen on the Green.