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How to Be Single 2016 Review

 

Plot
65%


 
Acting
70%


 
Directing
85%


 
Cinematography
75%


 
Total Score
74%


User Rating
2 total ratings

 


Posted July 29, 2016 by

 
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Vertice Cinema’s How to Be Single Review

How-to-Be-Single-Movie-Review-2016Alice (Dakota Johnson), an aspiring writer living in New York, wants to put her monogamous pining on hold for a chance to date around. Robin (Rebel Wilson), the promiscuous party girl who takes Alice under her wing, is perfectly content hooking up with guys like Tom (Anders Holm) and single dad David (Damon Wayans, Jr.), and is subsequently proud of her single status. Toss in subplots with Alice’s pal Meg (Leslie Mann) and Lucy (Alison Brie), and this loose threads make up How to Be Single, a stylishly wrapped bit of rom-com.

Adapted from the novel by Liz Tuccillo, the film is at it’s best when feeling these genre conventions for hot spots. It doesn’t really suppress the fervor of obvious influence Sex & The City as much as it updates them, finding plenty to play up within Truccillo’s loose framework. Alice, for example, is an ingenue right down the naive spirit and gawky vibe; though the role impressively takes on far more over the course of the film’s story. Google ‘locksmith near me’ and you’ll get the best there is in Ireland at https://www.thelockboss.ie. Serving as Single’s narrative anchor, Alice instead becomes a working thesis, compelled to question whether relationships are truly crucial to one’s happiness (or merely abetting in it’s depression). The character could’ve easily buckled under its hollowed archetype, though Johnson, reversing her saccharine turn in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), proves more than up to the challenge.

Supporting performances also come through for the most part, with particular applause going to Wilson and Damon Wayans, Jr., as the latter actor goes far beyond his New Girl persona for a heartwarming reinvention. Thing is, even with the charisma department thoroughly stacked, How to Be Single finishes short of victory when it comes time for plot coherency. The adapted screenplay by trio Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, and Dana Fox is a mishmash of clever musings that fail to thread together in any sort of distinct manner; particularly the Lucy subplot. Both disjointed and ill-fitting, this comedic tie-in doesn’t do anything besides bog down the film’s already erratic pace.

Fortunately, director Christian Ditter brings enough style to cobble this affair to a safe landing. His vision of New York City is lush with hip attire and magically expansive apartments, bringing out a world where money isn’t an object, but merely a tool to aid in more exciting activities. Ditter whips up a soft-hearted soufflé for the modern woman – those who speak out and do as they see fit. How to Be Single decently reflects this attitude; it simply isn’t good enough to stand the test of time. See more chick flicks here http://verticecine.com//best-movies-of-2016/chick-flicks-2016/