'Someone Like You' offers
humor about relationships
 By
Jamie Teibel
Staff Writer
"Someone Like You" is a romantic comedy, perfect
for couples and singles alike. The way the story is divided into titled
sections and the narrating by one of the characters adds humor by poking
fun at the supposed habits of men and commitment.
In "Someone Like You," Jane Goodale (Ashley Judd)
is a talk show talent booker who starts dating Ray Brown (Greg Kinnear),
the new executive producer. Ray is in a three—year relationship
with another woman, but eventually falls in love with Jane and breaks
up with his girlfriend. He and Jane decide to move in together.
After they find the perfect apartment, Ray starts
having second thoughts and breaks up with Jane to get back together
with his old girlfriend. Her apartment has already been rented to someone
else, so Jane needs a place to live. Coincidentally, her gorgeous co-worker
Eddie Alden (Hugh Jackman) needs a roommate.
While watching a show on animal mating habits,
Jane develops a theory about why men can't commit to one woman. Still
recovering from the blow of the breakup with Ray, Jane becomes obsessed
with this theory and uses it to justify his reasons for dumping her.
Jane eventually moves in with Eddie, providing
her with a solid study of male mating habits.
After researching the topic, Jane tells her friend
Liz (Marisa Tomei), an editor at a men's magazine, and she convinces
Jane to write a column based on her findings. They decide to use the
name of a deceased woman to hide the identity of Jane, who has no credibility
as a writer. The column becomes the most talked about in the nation
and every famous talk show and magazine wants an interview with the
author.
Eventually, on national television, Jane confesses
that she wrote the column, surprising her co—workers, especially
Eddie.
Judd ("Double Jeopardy") is perfect as Jane. She
exhibits realistic emotions about getting dumped and living with a gorgeous
man with whom she has no sexual relations. Her character is perky and
loveable, making viewers sympathetic to her pain.
Kinnear's ("As Good As It Gets") character Ray
is likeable, but is mismatched with Jane. They're future demise is predictable
because of the condition the looming three-year relationship Ray was
in. He is sketchy and unpredictable. We never know if he breaks up with
his ex or not, which makes him suspicious. The fact that Ray hurts Jane
more than once makes his character easily disliked.
Sexy Hugh Jackman, ("X—Men") as Eddie is the
perfect would—be love for Jane. Although he has many encounters
with women, he has a respectable, supportive demeanor. His support for
Jane helps her get over Ray, which makes Eddie a likely candidate for
her next relationship.
The fact that the two are roommates keeps the audience
wondering about the future of their relationship and keeps not only
the plot, but also the excitement, moving.
|
