Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment

This movie is literally an examination of sexual politics colorfully disguised as a romantic comedy. The theme of the movie is simple enough: if a guy is interested, he'll call.

Now, this may not seem like such a complicated concept, but it is a concept that a lot of women in the dating world just do not seem to get. This movie follows the romantic problems of a handful of adults, most of them in their 30s, and gives viewers, male and female, a look into their relationship mistakes past and present.

The cast is made up of some of the hottest men and women in Hollywood but the movie does primarily follow the women more closely than the men. Jennifer Connelly is a control freak, channeling her anxieties into a home remodel and ultimately freeing herself from them as she kicks her cheating hubby (Bradley Cooper) to the curb, neatly folding all of his clothes at the bottom of the stairs.

Jennifer Aniston is a woman who comes to realize that her live-in boyfriend of seven years (Ben Affleck) is probably never going to marry her and has to decide whether she needs marriage to solidify their relationship. Scarlett Johansson leads one man on and seduces another into cheating on his wife with her, which backfires by the way.

Drew Barrymore is barely in the movie, but does deliver some pretty comedic segments. However, the revelation of the movie is Ginnifer Goodwin, who takes comfort in advice from a bar manager (Justin Long) and ultimately ceases her obsessive dating behavior and finds a guy who is into her just as much as she is into him.

Overall, the movie is funny and relatable, promoting thoughtful declarations of love and letting the romantically challenged know what to stay away from. It shows men and women as equal as far as commitment phobias, cheating on one another and playing by the rules. It's enjoyable for men and women alike because it has eye candy, comedy, and situational relatability for all.

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