Review: Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009)

[Steve Rhodes]

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2009 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****):  ** 1/2

In GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST, Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is forced 
to see ghosts.  This reimagining of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is mainly set in a 
beautifully snowy season that looks for all intents and purposes like 
Christmas, but the film is being released in May, which feels weirdly 
incongruous.

The Christmas connection continues, however, since the film's two writers, 
Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, were last responsible for FOUR CHRISTMASES, a 
mildly entertaining film that was savaged by most critics.  As I did with 
FOUR CHRISTMASES, I found GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST kind of cute.  Working 
in its favor, this film, directed by FREAKY FRIDAY's Mark Waters, never 
takes itself too seriously and is filled with deliciously cheesy lines.  The 
best of these comes when Connor discusses the lost art of "spooning" with 
Vonda Volkom (Anne Archer), the mother of the bride at his brother's 
wedding.  "Spooning is nice," he tells her with a wicked little twinkle in 
his eye, "but not as nice as forking."

We originally meet Connor, a popular magazine cover photographer, in one of 
the most unpromising openings of the year.  Be ready to groan loudly through 
most of the film's first scenes, as Connor plays an obnoxious, completely 
unbelievable and utterly clueless playboy.  In the movie's worst moment, we 
are asked to buy that he would breakup with three girls in a simultaneous 
videoconference.  "I had an amazing time with each of you," he tells them 
with a big smile.  "I wish you all the best."  What a great guy.

Luckily, the film gets much better when Connor reluctantly heads to the 
wedding of his kid brother Paul (Breckin Meyer).  After trying to talk his 
brother out of acquiring the ball and chain that Connor views marriage as 
being, Connor starts verbally sparring with Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner), 
his first flame from way back when they were only seven.

Connor gets his comeuppance during his visits from three ghosts --  
representing his girlfriends past, present and future.  As they show him his 
life, he is whisked around in the bed of his deceased Uncle Wayne (Michael 
Douglas).  This uncle, who raised Connor after his parents died, taught him 
everything he knew about girls and how to treat them.  Coming back as 
another ghost in Connor's life, Uncle Wayne explains his presence by noting, 
"Players never die.  They just try their luck at a different table."

Described by "friends" as being "like the Tin Man -- he was born without a 
heart," Connor eventually realizes that his life of fast, meaningless 
relationships has hurt almost everyone he has dated, which appears to 
include close to half of the planet.  Continuing to take a light approach to 
the material, the movie's best moments, surprisingly turn out to be in the 
obligatory last act, as it turns bittersweet and downright sappy, yet 
strangely affecting and sweet as well.

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST runs 1:40. It is rated PG-13 for "sexual content 
throughout, some language and a drug reference" and would be acceptable for 
kids around 8 and up.

The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday May 1, 2009. In the 
Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Cinemark 
theaters and the Camera Cinemas.

Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com
Email: Steve.Rhodes at InternetReviews.com

***********************************************************************

Want reviews of new films via Email?
Just write Steve.Rhodes at InternetReviews.com and put "subscribe" in the 
subject line.